Aer Rianta to defend "Irish Times" trophy

FOR the best part of the past 12 months, the attention of anyone passing through the departure gate at Dublin Airport was invariably drawn to a rather unique gilded bronze trophy which was housed in an elegant glass cabinet.

As winners of the inaugural Irish Times Lexus Corporate Golf Challenge, Aer Rianta had the perfect showcase to proudly display its prize. Depicting the image of a prism of light held within the lettering of the Irish Times typeface, and designed by sculptor C P Breen, over 2,000 individual pieces were assembled by hand to form the ultimate design.

The transformation from wax to bronze, using the ancient method, was carried out by CAST Ltd in their foundry in Dublin. And, so, for the second time, the 20 inch high trophy will be the focus of much attention when the 12 qualifiers - including holders Aer Rianta - contest the finals at Mount Juliet today.

An indication of the competition's success is that over 100 companies applied for 50 places in the qualifying round, compared to just 30 teams who contested last year's qualifying campaign. Yet, despite the significant increase in the numbers competing in the initial stages, the qualifying score went up by a mere three shots to 158 for 12th place.

When Aer Rianta captured the title last year, an impressive team return of 18 stableford points over the closing four holes enabled them to pip Dow Chemicals. Both teams have made it back to Mount Juliet again this year, as have four other 1995 finalists, Moate Livestock, Canada Life, An Post and Digital. The line up is completed by six newcomers: Waterford Stanley, Money Markets International (MMI), Forbairt, CIE, Process Pumps and Frank Keane.

For a change, Padraig Harrington, who is sponsored by MMI, is in a position to wish the company well in their golfing endeavours, but our best wishes go to one and all who will be competing over the Jack Nicklaus designed course. Happy golfing.

There is a remarkable sense of history in St Andrews, most evident ironically when strolling not on the golf links itself but in the ruins of the old cathedral at the most eastern end of the old grey town.

Perhaps the most poignant monument of all is the one commemorating Tom Morris Jnr, who succeeded his father Tom Snr as champion and won the Open title from 1867-70 inclusive. The headstone portrays the golfer in full swing and was constructed from the donations of 60 golfing societies.

The words are simple, yet effective. "In memory of Tommy, son of Thomas Morris, who died 25th December 1875 aged 24 years. Deeply regretted by numerous friends and all golfers."

Underneath, the epitaph reads: "He thrice in succession won the champion's belt

And held it without rivalry and yet without envy

His many amiable qualities being no less acknowledged than his golfing achievements."

A couple of yards from the monument is another one, dedicated to the memory of his brother Thomas, who died on April 9th 1850 aged four years, the year before Tom Jnr was born.

It all seemed rather appropriate when Dermot Murphy holed out with his six iron tee shot to the 10th at Luttrellstown Castle during the Philip Walton Legends charity classic at Luttrellstown Castle last Monday.

Murphy is actually the captain of the "Hole in One Golf Society" in Ireland and his latest ace was the fourth in his life. However, he still trails behind a Californian amateur golfer called Norman Manley who has the distinction of achieving 47.

Some of us would love to have he use of a crystal ball, but it appears the man from the Racing Post has discovered one. On the eve of last week's Las Vegas tournament, the sporting paper prophesised Tiger Woods' victory - at odds of 50/1 - with these somewhat eerie, in hindsight, words: "A week's rest should see him rejuvenated and fired up to silence critics such as love." As we all know, Woods claimed his first US Tour win by beating Love in a play off.

Anyone tempted to follow Woods' endeavours on the fairways next season may be interested to know that he is 33/1 to win all three US majors; 10/1 to win any major, and 7/1 to make the US Ryder Cup team.

In this computer age, two young Galwaymen have come up with a neat package - called "Eagle Eye" - which has been designed and developed in Ireland over the past three years.

Golfing enthusiasts Des O'Reilly and Tom Mullarney hope the pocket sized gadget will become invaluable to players around the fairways of the world. Retailing at £49.95, the Golf Organiser comes in a compact, user friendly unit and has various uses as a Scorecard (recording all game and score formats for up to four people), as a Statistics Monitor (fairways hit, greens in regulation, putts, pars, birdies, handicap) and, also, as a Personal Organiser (phone directory, notes, calculator, time and date).

Christy O'Connor Jnr has backed their efforts to infiltrate the growing golf market. I'm something of a traditionalist and don't like to see too much change," said Christy. "This is a lovely idea, however, and I'd love to see it succeed, and not just because the two lads come from Galway."

The R & A have given the device, which is weather proof, the thumbs up too, although players will still have to transfer their scores to cards at the end of the round.

Still on a computer theme, Arnold Palmer's move into cyberspace - with his own website - proves you are never too old to learn.

The golfing legend won 92 titles during his career. The Palmer site features the latest audio and video and is divided into five areas: The Legend (a look at his life), The Game of Golf (tips on everything from putting to driving), Palmer Courses (descriptions, photos and scorecards from existing Palmer- designed courses, including The K Club), Pro Shop (offering cybersurfers the chance to browse through his merchandising catalogue) and Shockwave Game (allowing fans to test their skills in a state of the art interactive golf game).

Arnie can be reached at http://plamer.sportsline.com and even promises to answer email messages himself. It is all a far cry from the days when Willie Park won the first British Open back in 1860.