McGimpsey takes leading role

SOME THINGS never change, certainly when class comes into the equation. Garth McGimpsey, as familiar a sight around these parts at Easter as a cloud covered Ben Bulb en, reaffirmed his liking for the links by posting a one over par 72 to set the pace in the first round of strokeplay qualifying in the West of Ireland Amateur Championship, sponsored by Ulster Bank, at Rosses Point yesterday.

On a day when the wind, thankfully, abated sufficiently from the gales of the previous day into one of the strong, testing south westerly variety, three times winner McGimpsey was again the master and, in cheeky good spirits, he quipped: "I hope I'm able to qualify now."

One imagines he'll manage to perform such a feat, even blindfolded, with the top 64 players from today's second round going through to the matchplay stages. McGimpsey's course management was exemplary, although quite a number of other players struggled in the conditions with scores soaring into the 90s.

The most notable players to leave themselves with uphill tasks to make the knock out stages were Rosses Point native David Dunne, a student at the University of Ulster, and Irish youths international Stephen Maloney who both recorded 83s, while UCD's Peter Lawrie battled to an 80. The three young lions will need to show their mettle in today's second round if they are to survive.

Another promising young player, Andrew McCormick, of Scrabo, is in a far better position. The 21 year old Ulsterman - who won the silver medal as leading qualifier last year - recorded a fine two over par 73, the product of some solid play. McCormick showed a wise head on young shoulders, complimenting his physique with a number of nice shots around the green.

And Ken Kearney, the prechampionship favourite along with McGimpsey, also had reason to be content with a solid round of 75 placing him comfortably in the chasing pack and well on course to qualify.

Not for the first time, however, the day belonged to Walker Cup stalwart McGimpsey, a winner on three previous occasions, in 1984, 88 and 93. He put down a marker for another taste of glory with an accomplished first round performance, particularly over the home stretch which was played into the teeth of the wind.

McGimpsey covered the last five holes in level par, quite splendid play in the testing conditions. Up to that point, McGimpsey had compiled an eagle (which arrived at the third hole where he hit a three wood second in to 12 feet and sank the putt), three bogeys and nine pars.

Although he bogeyed the 14th, he really rose to the challenge over the closing five holes and holed par putts of 10 feet and 15 feet respectively at the 16th and 17th holes - "they were difficult conditions and every par was like a present," he later reflected - and then capped things off with a birdie finish, hitting a nine iron approach in to three feet to sneak ahead of McCormick.

"The course is playing really well although, surprisingly for Rosses Point at this time of the year, it could do with a drop of rain," said McGimpsey. "This wind has really dried it up."

Indeed, it was extremely difficult for players to hold the ball on the downwind greens, although McCormick, a quarter finalist here last year, did remarkably well in the toughest of the conditions, hitting 15 greens in regulation. His shot of the day was, undoubtedly, a full three wood - approach to finish just 12 feet from the pin at the 17th. Unfortunately, he failed to record what would have been a rare birdie there.

"I have been playing quite a lot of golf recently, so I am in good shape," said McCormick, an Irish youths international and a member of the senior squad. It seems only a matter of time before the big hitter is elevated to the senior team.

McCormick's only birdie came at the par five fifth hole where he hit a nine iron approach to 10 feet and holed the putt, while his bogeys came at the first, 15th and 16th.

There is a cluster of seven players on two over par 74, including former winner Colin Glasgow. He is joined on that mark by Munster interprovincial Graham Spring and Ulster interprovincial Dale Baker, along with Noel Fox, Tony Smith, Gary Murphy and Ulster boys' player Peter Martin who, incidentally, performed nine shots better than his father PJ.

A couple of former champions, however, are very much on the borderline. "It's nice to play here on Good Friday without sheltering from the hailstones," said Padraig McInerney as he headed off to the first tee. But McInerney, the winner in 1989, and Noel McGrane, the champion in 1987, both shot rounds of 80 and will need to break that mark today if they are to survive.

Another man who needs to produce the goods on the golf course he nurtures so tenderly is head greenkeeper George Patterson. The Scot, who arrived at the Co Sligo club last July, got a firsthand view of the way he has laid out the course for this championship by competing in the event; but his first round 81 fighting among those fighting for a matchplay place.

At least he is still there, though, unlike the unfortunate Barry Reddan who was forced to retire with an ankle injury after eight holes. No doubt today's second round of qualifying will have more drama in store. It promises to be another interesting day.