Compiled by Shay Keenan and Kevin McKenna.
Gillen's Flashes fifth
The Kent State University women's golf team spent their spring break in Boerne, Texas competing in the BU Tapatio Springs Shootout last week and for Ireland's Martina Gillen it proved something of a struggle as she tied for 21st place after rounds of 77 82 and 77 for a total of 236. The Golden Flashes, however, held on to fifth place in the team event with scores of 315-316-304 for a total of 295. KSU finished 17 strokes behind first-place University of Illinois (311-310-297=918) at the par-72, 6,007-yard Tapatio Springs Golf Resort.
D'Rae Ward of TCU led all three rounds, taking the individual title with a total of 221 (68-75-78). Illinois' Renata Young (76-72-74=222) finished one stroke back in second. Randi Gauthier (75-74-75=224) of North Texas and Malinda Johnson (76-77-71=224) of Wisconsin tied for third.
Ireland take on Europe
The EPPA have sanctioned an Ireland v the Rest of Europe friendly ladies international, to be played at McDonagh during the 2003 European Team Championship. Trials to select the Ireland team will be held at Lakeside (Templemore) on Saturday, June 14th and at McDonagh (Curragh, the European Championship venue) on Saturday, June 28th, over 54 holes. The four best aggregate 108-hole scorers will represent Ireland on September 12th, along with two players chosen as wildcards by the PPUI National Executive.
The trials will be contested by the 12-strong international squad: Marian Byrne (St Bridget's), Peggy Campbell (Glenville), Bernadette Coffey (St Bridget's), Tara Dillon (St Bridget's), Ann Hall (Royal Meath), Margaret Hogan (Tullamore), Linda Murphy (Collins), Tracey McGrath (Erry), Claire O'Flynn (ESB), Maree O'Toole (Shandon), Stella Sheridan (Glenville) and Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock). The team will be announced in early July, most likely after the National Strokeplay finals at Lakewood.
Medal championship
The Ulster Bank-sponsored All-Ireland Medal Championship is ready for a second term. The competition is open to all Monthly Medal winners in the 400 clubs affiliated to the GUI or the ILGU. With potentially upwards of 220,000 competing in Monthly Medal competitions, the opportunity to emerge as the All-Ireland Medal champion brings a whole new perspective to club singles strokeplay competitions. Club golfers can qualify by recording the best individual nett scores (or stableford) up to June 29th when qualifiers will go forward to a provincial final for men and district final, for women. The All-Ireland final will be played at Powerscourt Golf Club on Friday, October 3rd, with gold, silver and bronze medals in both the GUI and ILGU sections. All qualifiers will play off current handicap, with 40 the maximum for women.
Greystones' golden age
Greystones Golf Club must have something special when it comes to the playing ability of the older members. Saturday's 14 holes competition was won by former captain and president, Willie Heron, now a sprightly 82-year-old, playing off a handicap of 20. Heron had 34 points to win from Willie Bradshaw, only in his 70s with 32 points off 19. Former Irish Seniors champion Eddie Condren, who recently celebrated his 62nd birthday, won the gross with 32 points. In the women's section, 85-year-old former captian and president Pat Boate won class two with 27 points off a 21 handicap.
McHenry shows the way
John McHenry showed the field the way home at the final outing of the Links Golfing Society at Royal Dublin on Thursday. The recently appointed professional at the K Club shot a four under par 67 to win the nett prize from Tony Heverin (Hermitage) and Dermot McKenna (Blainroe). Peter Lawrie took the gross with an excellent 68 from Greg Massey (Hermitage), with veteran Hugh Jackson the best of four on 72 that included Eamonn Brady, Jody Fanagan and Brendan McGovern. Des Smyth returned from the Champions Tour in the US to take the best 54 hole aggregate for the professionals, while Lawrie's 68 helped him to the best 36-hole aggregate. In the amateurs, Kevin Commins from Ardee won the 54 holes event while former international Niall Goulding from Portmarnock won the 54 holes gross. The team prize for the best 54 holes over the six outing went to the Island's Willie Leggett at 26 under par.
