The Short Game: Golf handicaps were among the main discussion points at the agm of the Golfing Union of Ireland at Carton House last week.
Among the concepts introduced for 2008-2011 is a new "Supplementary Scores" to assist golfers who play in few competitions. Supplementary scores will now enable them to returns cards outside of competition. Nine-hole qualifying competitions, at the discretion of clubs, may be run and used to adjust handicaps.
Other motions passed sees a uniformity in the handicapping in the Irish Mixed Foursomes, where qualifying handicaps for both men and women will be the lowest held in the previous year.
Barry Doyle form Carlow GC takes over as president of the Union, with Ulster's PJ Collins the president-elect. Albert Lee and Rollo McClure were returned as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.
A boost for the best
Top-ranked players in the R&A's world amateur golf ranking (WAGR) will receive an exemption into the second qualifying stage of the PGA European Tour Qualifying School. The three highest-ranked players at the end of week 34 (August 24th), who have entered Q-School, will be exempt into the second stage.
Hermitage Cup
The 37th Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup will be held on Sunday, May 4th, sponsored by McLoughlins Hardware. Women of handicaps 12 and under are eligible and the 66 lowest handicap entrants will qualify. This event also counts for the ILGU Order of Merit. Entry forms are available from Hermitage Golf Club and on the website www.hermitagegolf.ie. The closing date for entries is April 26th.
Flood covers field
Brian Flood from St Anne's was a three-shot winner of the Hilary GS outing to the Portmarnock Links on Sunday. Flood was three under par after 12 holes before finishing on level par for a nett 68 off a three handicap to win from Chris Broe from Beech Park, David O'Halloran from Royal Dublin and Conor McCarthy from St Anne's, all on 71. Robert Cannon, a plus two handicap, from Laytown and Bettystown won the gross with a 70, while Gavin Lunney from Naas and Royal Dublin's Leonard Owens shared the professional prize on 72. Flood also figured in the team prize with Seamus McPartland (Greenore), Colin Grant (Howth) and John Bergin (St Anne's) on 61. The next outing is at Seapoint GC on March 2nd. Time sheet: Martin Kelly 086-2543498.
Gillen burns it up
Ireland's Martina Gillen made it three wins out of three in the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival in Spain last week.
The Dubliner warmed up for her Ladies European Tour campaign by winning the 36-hole Murcia Open pro title on Monday and Tuesday, and followed that with victory in the Festival Stableford on Thursday.
Then, in her last event Gillen teamed up with Claire Coughlan from Cork to win the professional betterball competition with a two-under-par round of 70.
Gillen's three victories earned her a total of €1,100.
Ryan gets a ribbing
A broken rib threatened to derail Raymond Ryan's bid to play in next week's Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge Grand Final.
The PGA head professional at Athenry has been waiting four months to play in the event in Bahrain, but a friendly game of rugby in December almost scuppered his chances as he has been unable to hit a ball until recently.
"I was asked by a friend to play in a rugby friendly for a bit of fun," said Ryan, who has been at Athenry for eight years. "I broke my rib in the game and I couldn't hit a ball until recently. But I knew I would be all right. If I had to strap myself up I would be going on that trip."
Amateur playing partner Pat Coen was equally determined to ensure Ryan made it. "I told him if I have to carry him around I would!" said the 15-handicapper.
The final will be played on the King of Bahrain's private course in Safriya. The 36-hole tournament, which offers a top prize of £2,000 to the winning pro, will be contested next Sunday and Monday.
Coaching seminar
The man behind England's rugby World Cup triumph and the man dubbed the "teachers' teacher" are among the speakers at this year's PGA National Teaching and Coaching Conference.
Rugby's Clive Woodward, and Chuck Cook, who has guided five players to golfing majors, should prove popular figures at the conference at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on May 7th and 8th.
Cook will reflect on his experiences of working with Tom Kite, Corey Pavin, Bill Rodgers, Mark Brooks and the late Payne Stewart. Other speakers include biomechanics expert Dr Paul Hurrion, who is renowned for his work with Pádraig Harrington and Lee Westwood.
For further details on the conference e-mail debbie.stockton@pga.org.uk
