Golf Digest: Royal Dublin two-handicapper Barry Fennelly yesterday claimed the Ulster Boys' Championship at Lisburn. In the final, the 17-year-old beat Delgany's Darren Nolan by 5 and 4.
Poor driving was the loser's downfall and he was in trees a number of times and also in a selection of bunkers.
"Nothing went right for me in the final," reflected the 18-year-old. "I played badly - struggled all the way."
Fennelly went one up with par at the fifth after Nolan was in trees off the tee, and he turned two up after the ninth was a bit of a disaster for the Delgany three-handicapper. His drive settled under a palm bush from where he had to take a drop and he then put his second shot among the trees again having to play out sideways, taking five to the back of the green.
That was the beginning of the end for Nolan. He drove into sand again at the par four dogleg 11th, running up a six, and Fennelly sped four holes ahead with birdie two at the 13th.
Fennelly slammed the door at the next as he reached the greenside bunker in two and easily made par. Nolan was short of the drain in three to run up a six.
In the morning semi-finals, Fennelly had a two-hole win over 15-year-old Gareth Boyd of Donaghadee.
Nolan was three down after four to Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock) but then won five holes from the fifth to the 10th and eventually triumphed 2 and 1.
South of Ireland: Unfortunately for those connected with South of Ireland championship, which starts today over the Old Course at Lahinch, the two dominant personalities of a rich Irish summer in terms of amateur golf won't be at the Co Clare links, writes Philip Reid.
Instead, British amateur champion Brian McElhinney is on a Walker Cup training camp - ahead of his debut in the match in Chicago next month - and Irish close champion Rory McIlroy is on time-out after a hectic playing schedule. He will return to action in the European individual championship in a fortnight's time.
Notwithstanding their absence, the field is a strong one. While Limerick teenager Cian McNamara defends his title, and recently crowned "North" champion Gareth Shaw and "East" winner Jim Carvill are also in the field, this championship represents a last opportunity of the season for two of the country's top players, Michael McGeady and Darren Crowe, to claim what many feel would be an overdue "major" win for either of them.
McGeady and Crowe were on the fringes of Walker Cup selection but were eventually overlooked.
Vagliano Trophy: Irish champion Tricia Mangan secured a last-green success over Spaniard Belen Mozo to claim a singles point for Britain and Ireland in their Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Chantilly yesterday.
All three Irish players in the nine-strong squad contributed to the first day's tally of six points with Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen both getting halves as the teams ended the day locked together at 6-6.
Four more foursomes and eight singles are to be contested today.
US Tour: Ben Crane carded an eight-under 62 and led after players completed the rain-delayed first round at the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee. Kenny Perry trails by one.
Women's Tour: England's Laura Davies moved into joint second place in the Evian Masters in France yesterday but trailed 18-year-old American Paula Creamer by seven.
Creamer had a 66 to stand at 14 under (202) and seven ahead of Davies, who had a 70, and France's own Karine Icher, who shot 68.
World number one Annika Sorenstam could only manage a 72 and slipped into fourth, eight shots behind.
Michelle Wie, the 15-year-old American amateur, moved to three under after a fine 68.
