Short Game: STUART TAYLORfrom The Island GC showed the field the way home with an excellent six-under-par 66 to win the Lioncourt Capital sponsored Links outing to Co Louth last week.
Taylor, who won The Island Pro-am over his home course, also with a 66, and combined with Royal Dublin's Paddy Devineto win the SkyCaddie PGA Fourball Championship at Forest Pines, Scunthorpe, earlier in the year, won the nett prize by three shots from Clontarf's Eamonn Brady.
In a flawless round, Taylor went to the turn in three-under-par with birdies at the second, fourth and seventh and three more birdies followed on the back nine, at the 10th, 14th and 15th, for his 66.
John Kelly, showed no ill-effects from his trip to the Tour School by shooting a five-under-par 67 to win the gross by three shots from Links president Des Smyth.
Taylor also brought in the winning team, with Peter Rogersfrom Dundak and the incoming vice-captain of Co Louth Niall Crimminsshooting an 11-under-par 61.
ROYALCinque Ports and Prince's golf clubs have been chosen to stage the 2013 British Amateur Championship. The Kent links courses will share the initial strokeplay qualifying stage before Royal Cinque Ports hosts the match play rounds.
Royal Cinque Ports has hosted the British Amateur Championship on two occasions: first in 1923 and again in 1982.
ILGU launches free text service
THE Irish Ladies Golf Union, in association with 3, has launched a new free golf news service. To join and receive regular updates on ILGU activities and news directly to your mobile phone simply Text “ILGU” to 51444
Registering your number makes you eligible to receive news such as ILGU and International Championship updates, reminders of closing dates for ILGU championships, rules, regulations and conditions of competition updates, ILGU shop offers and promotional offers from ILGU sponsors.
As part of this free text service you will also receive up to 12 marketing messages from 3 per year.
MASTERS 2010:A seven-night package in a private house close to Magnolia Lane comes with tickets for any two Tournament days. The house sleeps four singles or three doubles and the package also includes pick up/drop off at Atlanta airport, and use of car and driver. Local golf can be arranged. Phone 087-2478012 for details.
THE GUI National Academy has teamed up with the PGA Golf Catalunya Resort in Spain for the next six months to give customers the opportunity to win a fabulous weekend break for two people.
Every time you spend € 10 at the academy you will be entered into the monthly draw.
The prize winner will stay in the four star Hotel Melia Vichy Catalan for three nights and play two rounds of golf at the home of the 2009 Spanish Open, PGA Golf Catalunya.
Chance to win Catalunya break
The GUI National Academy is situated in Carton House, Maynooth, and offers a wide range of lessons, golf clinics and tuition, along with excellent value deals on Titleist and Cobra golf clubs and accessories.
The GUI National Academy website is www.gui.ie/academy.
PITCH AND PUTT:The Leinster fixtures meeting will take place in sportHQ on Wednesday, December 16th, at 8pm. The Munster meeting will take place in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, on Monday December 14th, 8pm.
Leading amateur medal presented
CANADA'S Nick Taylorhas won the Mark H McCormackmedal as the leading amateur in 2009. The medal was presented by Steve Sander, on behalf of the RA, during a ceremony at the University of Washington, where Taylor is in his senior year.
The award recognises the top-ranked golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at the end of the amateur season and following the European and US Amateur Championships.
The 22-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, had a truly outstanding season. Taylor reaching the number one spot in June after heading the US Open sectional qualifying at Tumble Creek, Washington. He maintained that form in the US Open at Bethpage State Park. In the process of achieving an impressive 36th-place finish – the low amateur – on the formidable Black Course, Taylor shot a second-round 65, the joint-lowest score by an amateur in the championship’s history, to make the cut in tied-seventh position.
Taylor topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 21 weeks before being displaced by France's Victor Dubuisson. Taylor is currently ranked third behind Dubuisson and Italy's Matteo Manassero.
Simon Ward from Co Louth is the best placed Irish player at 133rd, with Paul Cutlerfrom Portstewart in 178th place.
Geoghegan takes top prize
HOLLYWOOD Lakes Bob Geogheganproved the top golfer as the North Dublin Golf Club Captains Association held their annual Christmas outing at St Anne's last Friday.
Playing off a handicap of 17, Geoghegan shot 23 points to win by a single point from the host clubs Eddie Lawless(20) with another St Annes member Brendan McKeon(12) third on 21 points. The Islands Humphrey Kelleher(9) was fourth a further point back.
Meanwhile, Michael Devlin(Donabate) won the Seniors section, Donal Lennon(Malahide) the Veterans, while The Island's Des McManuswas winner of the Senior Veterans category.
And there was further joy for Geoghegan when it was announced his consistent play all season saw him claim the Golfer of the Year crown, while Paddy Kellyof Forrest Little took the Senior GOY and Deer Parks Jim Bradythe Veteran GOY accolade.
