Bennett wins in US:Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team candidates Liz Bennett from England and Scotland's Michele Thomson must have put a big smile on the face of captain Mary McKenna by finishing first and third in the South Atlantic Amateur Championship at Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, in Florida on Sunday.
Bennett, who took over the lead from a third member of the Ladies Golf Union elite squad, teenager Rachel Jennings, in the third round, maintained a two-shot lead over the fourth day.
Bennett, a +3.1 player, the English women's strokeplay amateur champion of 2006, signed off with a level-par 72 for a one-under-par 287 total. The 2007 Vagliano Trophy team player had earlier scored 73, 72 and 70 - very steady scoring to chalk up what must rank as the best win on her CV to date. The last British or Irish player to win "The Sally" was Welsh Curtis Cup player Vicki Thomas in 1994.
Florida University first-year student Jessica Yadloczky was runner-up for the second year in a row in this, the second event on the annual Orange Blossom Tour in Florida. She scored 72 for 289.
Abernethy strikes
When most players were finding it difficult to reach the par four, 419-metre 12th hole - index one - in the Waterford Crystal/Right Price Tiles-sponsored Links Pro-Am at Portmarnock Hotel and Links last week, Colum Abernethy made up two shots on the field when he birdied the hole on his way to 71 nett.
The three-handicapper from Dún Laoghaire won by two from Woodenbridge's Liam Canning, with Peter O'Hagan from Greystones taking third place also on 73 after a countback.
Professional Peter O'Hagan from The K Club won the gross with a level par 72 from UCD student and Island member Brendan Walton, who dropped three shots on the last two holes for a 73. Daragh Lernihan was in third place also on 73.
The next outing of the society is the president's, Des Smyth, prize at Royal Dublin on February 28th.
Harrington hits form
A change of venue for the Emerald Pro Tour didn't make any difference to Tadgh Harrington last Friday as he swept to victory in the amateur section, while four players tied for top honours among the professionals. The latest event of a busy schedule had been due to take place at Knightsbrook, but frost ended any chance of play over the Trim course, so Castleknock stepped into the breech and 10-handicapper Harrington left all trailing in his wake.
The Hermitage player had a highly impressive 42 points, with his closest challenger being Shandon Park's Jonathan Webb (3) on 37 points, with Phil Hanlon (13) from Galgorm Castle on 35 points. Declan O'Neill (3) from Carton House was the gross winner with 34 points.
Meanwhile, in the professional ranks, 71 was the number as John Kelly (St Margaret's), John McDermott (Stackstown), Mark Staunton (Black Bush) and Gary Wardlow (Dunmurry) all finished on the one-under par mark to head the field, two clear of the rest.
Next up for the tour is a return to Carton House and the Montgomerie course this Friday. Anyone, be it amateur or professional, interested in competing on the tour should contact Ciarán Tighe on info@allingolf.ie or 086 0807280.
Ladies union agm
The 114th Irish Ladies Golf Union agm took place at Moran's Hotel on the Naas Road on Saturday last, and delegates overwhelmingly voted to accept nominations by e-mail/fax and charge honorary members an affiliation fee (€25) from 2009.
The agm also saw Sligo native Ann Bradshaw (County Sligo) continue her second and final year as president, a year which will see the move to new headquarters at Furze Road in Sandyford.
Meanwhile, council members Theresa Morgan (Eastern), Bernie Tracy (Western) and Nora Murphy (Midland) replaced Denise O'Sullivan, Kathryn Reilly and Mary Guiney following their three-year terms.
Marian Riordan (Tipperary) was presented with the Ladies Order of Merit Trophy following her table-topping performance in 2007.
Clubs are also reminded that the ILGU affiliation fees of €25 (£17) and €5 (£3.50) for under-18s remain unchanged until 2010.
Learn the Rules of Golf
Interested in learning more about the Rules of Golf? Well if so, places are still available for PGA rules courses being run at The Belfry over the next three months. Aimed at all enthusiasts from amateurs through to professionals, the courses offer a fascinating insight into the rules which are brought to life and covered in detail from practical sessions through to analysis of televised incidents.
PGA tournament staff, who have experience of officiating at the four majors, Ryder Cups and European Tour events, will administer the courses, which will again cover all aspects of the Rules of Golf and focus on the amendments to the 2008 Rules of Golf. Places are limited for the individual courses and allocation will be on a first come, first served basis. For further details call Michael Wood on 00 44 1675 470333 or email michael.wood@pga.org.uk
Irish duo set for festival
Martina Gillen and Claire Coughlan - two Irish members of the Britain and Ireland team in the 2006 Curtis Cup match at Bandon Dunes, Oregon - are the latest professionals to confirm their entries for the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
Entries will close today for this inaugural staging of the two-week, six-event festival to be held at the five-star golf resort near the city of Murcia in southeast Spain from February 10th to 23rd.
The festival is open to women professionals as well as amateurs up to a handicap of 20.
The professionals will play off the Blue Tees (6,594 yards) and the amateurs from the Red Tees (6,087 yards).
