Drumm a loud success
A young Rosslare Golf Club prospect who has been making a name for himself this summer is 14-year-old Chris Drumm of Curracloe in Co Wexford.
On Tuesday, June 21st, he competed in the Connacht Boys Under-15 Open at Ballinasloe and shot a one-over-par 73 to win the championship. Two days later, he took part in the Munster Boys Under-15 Open at Dungarvan GC and won again, this time with a one-under-par 71. Then, on July 4th, he travelled to Beaverstown GC for the Leinster Boys Under-15 Open, had a 78 and finished ninth, while the following week at Ashbourne GC, in the Leinster Boys Under-15 Close, he finished third after a 75.
Drumm has been a member of Rosslare GC since 2002 and in that time, his handicap has gone from 28 to four. Coached by Rosslare professional Johnny Young, he has represented the club on all the various Cups and Shields teams, including the Senior Cup.
Boys back to Grange
Paul McGinley is encouraging young golfers to follow in his footsteps by playing in the Allianz-sponsored Grange Dublin Boys championship, on the course where he learned to play. The popular, 36-hole event takes place on Friday, August 5 th, for players of 16 handicap and under, with an entrance fee of €15, to include meals.
Ryder Cup hero McGinley, who has maintained his strong ties with the Grange club, says: "I am pleased to be associated with the event as it is crucial that golf is supported at underage level and I commend my sponsors Allianz and my club Grange for their commitment to this championship." Details are available from Grange Golf Club, 01 - 4932889 .
Borris just gets better
It's all systems go at Borris Golf Club. After a successful open week, in which the present nine holes played to its full distance with greens that can compare with the best in the country, Borris is all set the go to 18 holes in the near future. The development involves the construction of nine new holes with some adjustments, particularly to tee and greens, to the holes on the existing course. Under the direction of course architect Jeff Howes, phase one of the development will see six holes being developed to the right of the existing entrance road and three holes situated in the Graveyard field. Phase two is the adjustment and re-shaping of the remaining seven tees and green complexes to bring them to the same style and standard in the construction of phase one. Meanwhile, Michael Lawlor showed all the skill of a good seven handicapper to win Michael Doran's captain's prize with an excellent score of 102½ from Derek Byrne (18) 101, and Willie Stevenson (13) 101½.
Juniors have their day
Some 240 players ranging in age from five years old to 20 contested the Laytown and Bettystown annual Junior competitions over two days last week. This is the 41st year of this unique set of competitions, with winners ranging from the Smyth brothers, Declan Brannigan, John O'Leary, to their sons and daughters today. From the Pee Wee Cup (Under-8) which was won by Ciarán Sullivan, with a score of 19, to Balbriggan's Dearbhla Behan from Balbriggan, who won the girls Under-21 trophy with a score of 81 from Vivienne Brannigan, with Sally Rooney third, all players enjoyed the outing. Other winners included Barry Anderson, Ronan Crosby, Conor Campbell, Adam Doran, Ciara Dwyer, Zara O'Reilly and Conor Taylor.
McFarlane's 50 up
The magical 50 points mark was breached recently at the Vice-Captain's Day in Charlesland Golf Club as Lucy McFarlane, playing off 31, hit the half century of points to win by five from Deirdre Murphy (23), with Mary Galligan (15) third with a respectable 43.
Phelan strikes twice
Dungarvan's Kathleen Phelan could have worried a little bit that winning the week before the Lady Captain's Prize would harm her chances of landing the highly coveted major title at the weekend. On the Tuesday prior to the main event, she had lost a shot as a result of winning the singles event with a nett score of 71, which was one better than Ann Stack (22). So for Irene Dawson's Lady Captain's Prize later at the weekend she had to play off her new handicap of 20. However, it made no difference at all over the two-day competition. Her winning total of 141 was two better than Betty O'Mahony (32), with Breda Conway (34) third also on 143. Irene Lynch, playing off five, won the gross prize, while Tish Baumann (10) landed the Past Captain's prize. The class winners were Betty O'Brien, Moyra Baumann and Margaret Harty.
Westport's family affair
Despite the alternative attraction, over 200 members played in the Westport Golf Club Captain's Prize on Connacht Final day. And as temperatures soared on the championship course in Carrowholly for Christy O'Malley's big day, it was a story of two families as the Friels and the Goldens took the top honours. Up and coming junior Laura Friel, carried all before her in the Ladies nine-hole competition, and she was joined by her father, Liam, who finished third in the main event. Former president of the GUI, Gar Golden collected the Past Captains prize, but proudly left all the talking to his son, John, who, following an exhibition of iron play from the tees all day, took the top prize. John, playing off 19, was a measure of consistency and had two shots to spare over Carrowholly native and junior John Cannon.
Dalton a true scholar
Learning well from her education in the US is Anne Marie Dalton. The promising talent is on scholarship in the States, but came home to her home club recently in Coollattin and duly won the weekly open singles competition with a fine score of 42 points, off five, to pip clubmates Florence Jordan (28) and Noeleen Williams (19). Anne Ryan (11) was the gross winner with 29 points. And she followed it up the next week, winning with 37 points, pipping Liz McGoohan (28) and Eleanor Lee (19) who also shot 37 points.
