Compiled by Shay Keenan and Kevin McKenna
Connacht's double joy
The Connacht Provincial Council, captained by honorary secretary Dan Clarke, captured the inaugural John Brett Trophy at Heritage Golf & Country Club at Killenard, with an eight-point winning margin following the fourball format.
The match was held to commemorate Munster Branch chairman John Brett, who died in office in 2003, and five teams of 10 GUI officials and staff competed - one from each branch and one from head office. The winning team was: Gar Golden (Westport), Richard Canavan (Tuam), Dan Clarke (Athlone), Eugene Fayne (Athlone),Patsy Lynch (Loughrea), Leo Gardner (Athenry), Mixie Jacob (Enniscrone), Michael Connaughton (Roscommon), Fred Perry (Co Sligo) and Tommy Grealy (Roscommon).
On the same day, Connacht also claimed the Tommy Grealy Trophy in the annual match with the Munster Council. The two additional pairings who contributed to this success were Peter Higgins (Connemara) and Paschal McDonagh (Oughterard), and Tommy Basquille (Strandhill) and Colm Gannon (Co Sligo).
Qualifiers for pairs event
The Irish finals of the International Pairs competition, sponsored by the Tower Hotel Group, take place this week at Ballyliffin and Faithlegg. The Ulster and Connacht qualifiers play-off at the Donegal venue today while the Leinster and Munster qualifiers turn out at Faithlegg on Thursday. The reward for the winners at both venues is a place in the International Pairs World finals in Wales next year.
Dore closes out nicely
Limerick's Mary Dore lifted her second National Pitch & Putt Mixed Foursomes title when she and Colum O'Driscoll were 12 up against par for the 36 holes at Larkspur Park to win by one from Fermoy couple Eleanor Walsh and Joe Flood. Dore was playing out of Bruff when she partnered Ger Wallace to victory at Castlelyons six years ago and last weekend she and Parteen clubmate O'Driscoll compiled rounds of eight up and four up over the Cashel course.
Mind your golf game
Having problems with your game? Well this evening, an interactive golf workshop takes place at the IMI Conference Centre, Sandyford, Dublin 16, at 7.30 pm. This workshop offers aids to help players of all standards get more out of their games and is run by Dr Karl Morris and Jamie Edwards of Trainedbrain, mind-focusing coaches to Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell.
The workshop deals with: improving course management; creating, controlling and changing your mental state on the golf course; controlling on-course anxiety, from first tee to last putt; bringing your range swing to the course.
The event is being hosted by Burrell Coaching & Training, Stepaside Golf Centre, Stepaside, Dublin 18. Tickets €50 available at: 01 2953312/email: gburrell@eircom.net
Lennon officer first class
Donal Lennon of Malahide will have enjoyed the banter with fellow club officers, both past and present, after he emerged victorious last Monday week at the Association of North Dublin Golf Club Captains' President's Prize at Donabate.
Seeking victory in Des O'Shaughnessy's prize, it was the Malahide 21-handicapper who came out on top on a day of excellent scoring. His 42 points gave him a two-point victory over Howth's Bernie Dillon (13), while two further points back in third spot was Donabate's Tony Greany, playing off nine.
The seniors prize was won by Dave Pierce with 35 points off 16, while Jerry McNeice of Forrest Little also had 35 points to win the veteran prize.
Long takes short cut
How often have we been told that the short game is where golf is won and lost? Well at Dooks golf club in Kerry the short game proved a key element in the final of their club championship. James Long, playing off 12, gave 13-handicapper Batty Foley an exhibition in chipping and putting, so much so that he was just two over par over the opening 10 holes.
So good was Long's short game, the match was finished on the 14th hole, earning Long his second club championship as he also won in 1999.
Gorry has one to enjoy
Most of us only dream of getting a hole in one at a par three, but six-handicapper Mary Gorry actually aced the par-four fourth at Baltinglass last Thursday during the autumn medal.
Measuring just 217 metres for the lady members, it may well be the index 17, but the trees can cause problems for those who are not accurate off the tee. However, Gorry took these out of play in the best way possible. However, she still did not claim the medal, the honour going to Winnie Breen, playing off 28, who won with a score of 69 from Gorry, but only on the back nine.
Gorry did win Class One, while the Class Two winner was Margo Doyle, playing off 21, with 78. Catherine Lord (29) took Class Three with 81.
Nugent retains Crystal
Graham Nugent of Kilkenny retained his grip on the Waterford Crystal Scratch Trophy at Waterford over the weekend in a competition that saw the major prizes dominated by Kilkenny members. They occupied three of the top five places, and in fact claimed the top two spots. A four-under-par 280 total meant Nugent was three ahead of clubmate Eddie Power, while Sutton's Derek Downie was third, also on 283, in what was the 48th staging of the event.
Edenderry's Ger Hall was fourth on 284, while the third Kilkenny member in the shake-up was Richard Guilfoyle, who claimed fifth on 285, the same score as Stackstown's John McDermott.
Guilfoyle and McDermott then enjoyed further success when alongside Joe Lyons of Galway they claimed the team prize, while the best local score was achieved by Denis Deasy.
However, the event was also noteworthy for the fact that there were two holes in one during the weekend. Denis McCann holed out at the 16th and Gordon Adair aced the 9th.
Clarke sees progress
Darren Clarke has observed a significant improvement in the golfing technique of Irish boys and girls over the last two years, writes Philip Reid.
"It's down to improved coaching methods," said one of Ireland's Ryder Cup heroes, during his third annual Foundation Weekend at Portmarnock on Saturday and Sunday.
His assessment was clearly reflected in the performances from 13 players, including Stephanie Meadow, a seven-handicap member of Royal Portrush - at the tender age of 12. With average drives of 230 yards, her potential was evident in a gross 40 around the third nine at Portmarnock on Saturday.
There was also evidence of the continuing development of Rory McIlroy, who swept away with the under-15 section of the Foundation after a gross 75 over the championship course on Sunday.
The girls' section was won by Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway), with a score of 159 for 36 holes.
