The race is on to ascertain who will succeed Jean Carter as the Mitsubishi Motors/Irish Times Ladies Masters champion for 2000. It is the second year of the competition and the number of clubs participating has risen to 148: this figure represents half of all ILGU affiliated clubs.
The high standard in general is illustrated in the exceptional scoring the length and breadth of the country with many of them in the mid 40s. The leading qualifier to date is Majella O'Hare from Ballykisteen Golf Club in Tipperary, who amassed a staggering 49 points off a handicap of 22. Entries for this year's tournament closed on July 28th.
The revised format of a maximum handicap of 28 for this year's competition was welcomed by the participants as it gives a better chance to those playing off lower handicaps and in general improves the standard of golf in the competition.
The top 40 scores from each province will go through to the provincial finals at Glasson on August 24th with the top seven from each province that day then going on to play in the final. The Grand Final will be held at Mount Juliet on Friday, September 8th. The competitors will be invited to a gala dinner and an overnight stay at the magnificent Co Kilkenny venue.
An added bonus for those who make the regional finals at Glasson is that the current British Senior Open champion - he won it for the second time in succession at Royal County Down last month - Christy O'Connor Jnr will be on hand to dole out a few swing tips.
