Walshe is Curtis-boundIreland's loss maybe the US's gain when their Curtis Cup team is announced after next week's South Atlantic Amateur in Ormond Beach, Florida. Alison Walshe, who left Galway as a five-year-old in 1990, is on the shortlist for the US team for St Andrews in May after her victory in the Harder Hall Invitational at Sebring, Florida, over the weekend.
Walshe, who holds Irish and US citizenships, posted her second consecutive four-under-par 68 to win by three strokes with a seven-under-par total of 281 (72, 73, 68, 68) at Harder Hall Country Club. Pepperdine's Taylore Karle (72) finished second at four-under 284, while 2006 champion Stacy Lewis came in third at one over.
Lewis, the nation's top-ranked amateur, trailed by three heading into the final round but a poor start coupled with even poorer putting saw her lose ground on the leaders.
The daughters of former tennis ace Ivan Lendl, Isabelle and Marika, finished joint fourth and joint 11th on 294 and 298 respectively.
Walshe's "luck of the Irish" started in the third round when she birdied the last three holes thanks to two chip-ins and a 12-foot putt.
It continued on Sunday for the University of Arizona senior as she watched her ball skip through the water hazard on the par-five 17th, setting up a birdie attempt that closed the door on overnight leader Karle.
Nearly everyone playing in the last few groups at Harder Hall set a goal of making the Curtis Cup team. The selection committee is scheduled to meet next week to determine the eight-player squad. Walshe's victory at the North and South Amateur last year had already put her in good shape. Add to that this week's win and she's virtually assured a ticket to St Andrews.
"I hope this puts me in good position," said Walshe, who finished the autumn schedule at number five in the Golfweek/Sagarin college rankings.
Letterkenny dominate
Letterkenny members dominated proceedings at the North Western Alliance outing to Dunfanaghy on Saturday. Brian O'Donnell, off 16, led the field home with a nett 50.6 over the 14 holes, with club-mate Aeneas Conaghan, off 20, in second on 53.5. Hugh Tinney took third on 53.6 from John Doran on 54. Odran McGettigan stopped a Letterkenny clean-sweep by taking fifth on 54.2 from alliance secretary Barry Ramsey.
The gross went to Letterkenny's Michael Bradley with 57 from Foyle GC's Aidan Boyle on 60 and John McBride from Rosapenna and Enda McMenamin of Ballybofey on a countback.
Meanwhile, the Links Society season resumes this Thursday when the Waterford Crystal/Right Price Tiles sponsored Links Pro-Am takes place at the Portmarnock Hotel and Links, with the opening threeball off at 8.30.
Coughlan wins at home
Eamonn Coughlan used his local knowledge well to win the Midland Seniors Alliance over his home course at Moate. Coughlan, who plays off a three handicap, shot a gross 70 to win by one shot from club-mate Ollie Grogan, with Castle Barna's Mick Horan taking third from Ger Hall (Edenderry) and Paul O'Hanlon (The Curragh) after all three finished on 73.
Mark Lenehan from Woodlands won the nett with a 67 off an eight handicap, with Philip Hand from Mullingar on 68 and Moate's Liam Galvin and Quentin Carew from Edenderry on 70.
Kinsealy kick-start
Are you looking to fine-tune your game now the New Year is up and running? Well, if so a visit to the new Kinsealy Grange on Chapel Road in Kinsealy, north Dublin, could be worth your while. Boasting 50 driving bays, on two tiers, the range also features a large short-game area, a covered putting green, mini golf, a golf simulator, golf shop and café. Lessons are also available from a number of professionals. Membership is open on (01) 279 9599, or email info@kinsealy-grange.com or check their website www.kinsealy-grange.com.
Quinn direct
New Craddockstown Lady Captain Catherine Quinn couldn't have asked for a better opening to 2008. No doubt looking forward to her 12 months in office, having taken over from Eileen Jones, she won her class last Saturday in the 10-hole singles competition, firing 22 points off a handicap of 20. Class two was won by Ann O'Neill, with the 36 handicapper firing an impressive 24 points.
Meanwhile, Pam Jackson, the new Lady Captain at Foxrock Golf Club, just missed out on making a winning start to her year in the 9-hole singles event on New Year's Day. She was one of three players to finish the day on 19 points. However, she had to settle for third spot behind Mary Shiel (28), on 20 points, with Hilary O'Herlihy (12) runner-up and the best of the trio on 19 points ahead of the new Lady Captain and Mary Fenelon (35).
Wild scoring in Wicklow
Good scoring seems to be par for the course among the lady golfers in Greystones Golf Club in Wicklow, even though it is winter conditions. The last event of 2007 saw Jeanne Thorpe, playing off 17, record 40 points for the 18 holes, two better than Jacinta Deane (9). Then last Sunday, as 2008 teed off with the first weekend competition, the scores were even better as Catherine Murray, playing off 31, began the year with a highly impressive 43 points and a comfortable, five-point win over 10 handicapper Anne O'Neill, who edged out Olwyn Ryan on the last three.
Kennedy cleans up
A runaway winner of the opening ladies' singles event in Castlegregory in Kerry was Marian Kennedy, a 15 handicapper, who won the 13-hole event by an impressive eight points. Her total of 29 points secured victory with her nearest challenger being Nora Keogan (33) with 21 points.
And there was an equally impressive winner in Balbriggan on Sunday as Deirdre Foran (21) fired 34 points for the 12-hole event for a five-point win over Marion Behan (30) on 29 points.
