A round-up of other Golf news
President Smyth ready for hectic year at Laytown
LAYTOWN and Bettystown's Des Smyth attended his first act as Centenary President of his home club when the descendants of the founder members donned period costume to re-enact the inaugural meeting held at the Laurence Street, Drogheda, offices of auctioneers RB Daly Son on March 8th, 1909.
After six years on the US Champions Tour, Smyth is looking forward to combining his return to the European Seniors Tour with a busy year at the storied Co Meath club, which will celebrate its century by staging a number of major events, including the eastern section of ILGU's Suzuki Senior Cup from May 8th-10th, the Leinster Boys Amateur Open from July 7th-9th, the Leinster finals of the Irish Senior Cup August 22nd-23rd, and the Irish Senior Women's Open Strokeplay Championship September 9th-10th.
Following the re-enactment, the descendants of the founders returned to the club by horse-drawn carriage for the raising of the centenary flag by 13-year-old James Lyons, the great-great-grandson of one of the club's founders, Capt JJ Lyons.
Rathsallagh offer for new members
RATHSALLAGH GC are offering €350 in guest green fee passes as part of the annual subscription to new members who take up the offer before December 31st.
For the last number of years Rathsallagh has had a facility whereby shareholders can nominate a friend as a member of the club for the year on payment of the annual subscription.
This year the scheme has been enhanced and the club is accepting new members on payment of the full annual subscription of € 1,654.
This fee includes GUI subscription, VAT and € 100 food and beverage credit, and the guest green fees.
Cullen starts Links with win
GARY Cullen from Beaverstown got his Links winter series off to a good start by winning the Lioncourt Capital-sponsored first outing at Co Louth last week.
Cullen shot a one-under-par 71 to edge out Dun Laoghaire's Colum Abernethy on the back nine to win the overall net prize.
Eamonn Brady from Clontarf was third on 73, the same mark as David McKiernan (1, The K Club), John Kelly (St Margaret's) and John McHenry.
Des Smyth, president of the Links Society, won the gross with a 71 by one shot from Brendan McGovern from Headfort and David Mortimer.
The team prize went to Bobby Browne from Laytown and Bettystown, McKiernan and Paul Lawlor from The K Club with an excellent 63.
Dundalk's Peter Rogers won the gross in the over-50s with a score of 76, while the nett went to Royal Dublin's Gerry O'Dwyer with 74.
Ashbourne pair second in Turkey
ASHBOURNE'S John Dwyer and Shane O'Brien had to settle for second place in the recent PGA National Pro-Am Championships at the Antalya Golf Club's PGA Sultan Course in Turkey.
The Ashbourne duo finished just three shots behind the winners from England's Forest Pines Golf Club, Dan Greenwood and amateur James Phillips.
The 2007 PGA Professional champion Dwyer and nine- handicapper O'Brien had rounds of 66 and 65, but sadly it wasn't enough as Greenwood and Phillips blitzed through the field with a stunning second round of 10-under 61 to add to their 67.
Despite missing out on victory, the Irish duo were still pleased with their performance.
"We may have left one or two shots out there, but 10 under is a fantastic score and it's worthy of winning any competition," admitted O'Brien.
Rogers opens on-line golf shop
LOOKING for a new way of purchasing your equipment, especially for the lady golfer? Well Ireland's first golf shop on line is up and running. The new venture is being run by well known professional Aideen Rogers and her creative assistant, Aisling O'Connor.
A wide range of items is catered for, both in terms of equipment and clothing as well as accessories, while there is also a gents' section, and everything is competitively priced.
Purchases can be delivered within three to five working days, while they also offer advice on any of the items on the website via email or telephone.
Further details are available on 041 982 3968, email info@missgolfshop.com, or simply by visit their website at www.missgolfshop.com
Meanwhile, Rogers - who teaches at the Fingal Golf Centre - continues to offer beginners a chance to play society golf, where they have around 15 outings each year, usually around once every three weeks around a number of north Dublin clubs.
The outings are played on a Sunday afternoon with the exception of one or two Saturdays.
Subscription fees for 2009 are €100 for new members and €80 for existing members.
Further details are available from www.aideenrogers.com or phone 087 990 6738.
