Strong team for Europeans
World number two Rory McIlroy will lead a strong,
four-man Irish team at the European Nations Championship for the
Sherry Cup in Sotogrande, Spain, starting tomorrow.
McIlroy, from Holywood GC, will be joined by Co Louth's Simon Ward, Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney and Shane Lowry from Esker Hills.
The Irish Close and European champion, McIlroy has his sights on regaining the number one spot, but is sure to be fully tested by the holder, Nigel Edwards, from Wales, and England's Gary Wolstenholme.
Edwards triumphed in a play-off 12 months ago against Spaniard Jose Adarraga Gomez, while Wolstenholme has an impressive record in the individual contest with four victories. He won the title in 2000, '01, '03 and again in '05. England's last win was in 2004 and for the past two years they have finished third behind Spain
EuroPro for Faithlegg
Ireland will have a third professional tournament this year when the PGA EuroPro Tour crosses the Irish Sea for the first time, with Faithlegg Golf Club to host a tournament from May 16th-18th.
The PGA EuroPro Tour will stage a 54-hole tournament at the course, which opened 13 years ago, with the top 50 players, plus ties, after two rounds progressing to the final day.
"Faithlegg is a tremendous setting for our first tournament in Ireland and I know the course will be a big test for players," said PGA EuroPro Tour managing director Eddie Hearn. "It has been an ambition of ours to spread into Ireland having successfully staged PGA EuroPro Tour events in Portugal and the Azores last year.
"There are a number of top players from Ireland competing on the PGA EuroPro Tour and this tournament will give them the chance to shine on home soil next year."
The tournament will be preceded by a pro-am, giving sponsors and local companies the chance to compete alongside the top young players.
Record entry for Barton
A record entry of 132 clubs will start out next week in a bid to win the Barton Cup. The holders, Royal Dublin, are to face neighbours Howth in their first match. Many other local derbies have sprung up in the first round, notably The Island versus Rush, Bray and Kilcoole, and Roundwood v Delgany. Callan play Castlecomer in an all-Kilkenny tie, and Courtown have three matches at home to Woodenbridge.
Two clubs are making their debut, Seafield and Dunmurry Springs, while Waterford have re-entered after a number of years adding another great club seeking to win the much sought after FBD-sponsored Barton Cup in 2007.
Changes to Best format
The format for the Best Cup has changed from home and away fixtures to one-leg ties this year. Some 45 clubs were in the hat when the draw was made at the agm in Malahide GC last week. Delegates agreed, after many years of debate, that the format would be changed to one-day matches. Teams drawn out first in rounds one and two will host all five matches, with the costs shared between the clubs. In subsequent rounds up to and including the final, tournament director Paddy Conlon will re-draw for home advantage in each round. The final will, however, be a two-leg affair with five matches home and away.
Murphy best in Alliance
Brian Murphy, a seven-handicapper from Delgany, braved the testing conditions best at the European Club last week to win the Captain's (Eamonn Connolly) prize as the Leinster Alliance season came to a close.
Murphy fired 29 points to win on the back nine from Citywest plus-two handicap Gary Lawlor, with the captain next best on 28 points in the AIB-sponsored event. Shay O'Neill from Corrstown was third on a countback with Con Buckley (Grange) fourth on 26. Lawlor won the gross from Lucan's Tony Goode and Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney, while the junior prize was claimed by Greg Leech from Killiney with 27 points.
Turner charging up
Niall Turner from Muskerry and the University of Minnesota has started his spring season in US in great form. Last week he finished seventh in the Southern Highlands tournament in Las Vegas. This event is ranked in top 10 for world amateur ranking points, and 25 of the top 50 collegiate players were playing as well as eight members of the US Walker Cup panel. Turner shot rounds of 72 74 71 for 217, just four shots behind the winner, Lucas Lee, from UCLA on 213.
Turner has moved into the top 30 in the US college rankings,and climbed to 65th on the world rankings. Seamus Power from West Waterford is at 102 while Gareth Shaw is ranked 129th.
Deadline for Fitzgibbon
The May Fitzgibbon Foursomes will be held in Lahinch on Saturday, March 31st, and entries close this Saturday. Entries should be sent to Annie O'Brien at 065 708145 or Lahinch GC at 065 7081003. This is the Southern District qualifying round of this May Fitzgibbon Trophy and handicap limit is 34. The National final will be held in Greystones GC on Monday, July 30th.
Brady wins Merit title
Eamonn Brady, of Clontarf, was confirmed as the inaugural Order of Merit winner of the Emerald Pro Tour with two events still remaining after finishing joint second in the latest event last Friday on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House.
The professional event was won by St Margaret's John Kelly - who made it back-to-back wins having captured the previous outing in Roganstown - with a fine score of 73 in testing windy conditions, with Brady, Gary Cullen (Beaverstown) and Mark Campbell tied for second a shot behind. In the amateurs, Tadgh Harrington won with 38 points, ahead of Niall Kinsella and Paul Colton.
The Tour moves to Knightsbrook in Trim next Friday, and teetimes are from 9am to noon. Phone/text Ciaran on 086 0807280 or email teetimes@emeraldprotour.com
Maguire runs away with it
The Irish Association of Golf Club Secretaries held their agm outing in Portmarnock Golf Club recently and it proved to be a runaway success for Paddy Maguire of Castleknock, who had points to spare over the rest of the field. With 35 points, Maguire enjoyed a four-point winning margin over Dermot Clancy of Slade Valley, with Paul Muldowney (Royal Dublin) and Padraig Fahy (Galway) next best on 29 points.
At the agm, the 40th such meeting, the following positions were filled: President: John Quigley; Vice-President: Jim Ironside; Honorary Secretary: Jim Melody and Honorary Treasurer: Hilary Madden. The regional representatives are: Connacht - Padraig Fahy; Leinster - Michael Walsh; Munster - Dave Curtain and Ulster - Michael Moss.
