Dunmurry excellence rewardedDunmurry have been named the AIB All-Ireland Golf Club of the Year for 2003. The accolade, and development grants totalling €7,500, was presented to the club at a function held in AIB Bankcentre in Dublin last night.
At the function All-Ireland category awards were also presented to Charlesland, Elm Park, Bantry Bay and Dunmurry. In addition to the All-Ireland awards, 16 provincial awards were also presented.
The complete list of award winners is: Golf Club of the Year: Dunmurry; All-Ireland Category Awards: Junior Golf: Dunmurry; Environment: Charlesland; Clubhouse/Course Presentation: Elm Park; Communications: Bantry Bay.
The Provincial winners were: Junior golf: Claremorris, Tullamore, Mallow, Dunmurry; Environment: Co Sligo, Charlesland, East Clare and Ballyliffin; Clubhouse/Course Presentation: Portumna, Elm Park, Tralee, Carnalea; Communications: Galway, Carlow, Bantry and Clones.
The Golf Club of the Year awards scheme is a joint venture between AIB, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union. The scheme was set up to focus on the non-playing aspects of a club which are essential to the long-term success of the club.
Kent State get rub of the green
Ireland's Martina Gillen and Karen Delaney helped Kent State University women's team to a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Founders Women's Collegiate Showdown last week.
Gillen (Beaverstown) was in excellent form, securing a share of eighth place in the individual honours, with Delaney (Carlow) back in 28th place after rounds of 75 73 80 for a total of 228. Kent State had overall rounds of 304 296 299 totalling 899 during the three-day tournament at the par-72, 6,196-yard Anthem Country Club.
Achill triumphant in South Africa
Winning in style in South Africa recently were Achill Golf Club, who defeated the Metropolitan Golf Club over 36 holes at the Erinvale Golf Club in aid of the 3Ts.
The Achill team beat Charleville from Cork and the the K Club in the Irish final, which was held at the K Club South Course last May. Achill had 80 points to Charleville and the K Club's 79.
That saw the team - comprising Elizabeth Kelly (19), Gerard Hassett (9), Leo Smith (8) and Alan English (14) - progress to South Africa and Cape Town.
Against the Metropolitan GC over 36 holes, they won in some style and, with two scores to count, won by a score of Achill 172, Metropolitan 159 over two days. Interestingly, the captain of the Metropolitan team was Fred McLennan, who has 18 senior Irish rugby caps.
The 3Ts stands for the "Turning the Tide of Suicide" and is a new charity organisation launched last January. The primary function of the 3Ts is to create awareness of the problem of suicide in Ireland and to raise money to benefit a Suicide Prevention Programme.
Munster go to the polls
There was a relatively small attendance, of just 38 delegates, at the Munster Council Convention in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, including Central Council Officers, County Boards and Club delegates.
The convention saw Liz Lysaght (Charleville) and Helen McMorrow (Lakeside) elected to the Munster non-portfolio positions on the new PPUI National Executive Council.
The following nominations were approved for National Convention: President: Billy Lynch (Royal Meath, Clonee); Vice President: Myles McMurrow. (Lakeside, Templemore); Honorary Secretary: Michael Murphy (Old County, Dublin); Honorary Treasurer: Breda Brophy. (McDonagh, Kildare); Competitions Secretary: Frank Smith (Glenville, Dublin); PRO: John Manning (Shandon, Dublin); Development Officer: Mervyn Cooney (St Patrick's, Enniscorthy); Registrar: Liam O'hUigin (ESB, Cork).
The latter decision means there will be just one contest at PPUI National Convention in Thurles on December 6th when Liam O'hUigin (Cork County Board Registrar) will oppose Liam Sherry (St Bridget's) for National Registrar.
O'Brien Kenney to lead the way
Sheena O'Brien Kenney has been appointed as captain of the Irish women's home international team in succession to Mary McKenna. A member of the Grange Golf Club in Dublin, O'Brien Kenney's international career started in 1973 on the Girls' team.
She then went on to play for Leinster in the interprovincial matches from 1976 to 1988 and also in 1995. Leinster won the title nine times during that period. O'Brien Kenney made her full international debut in 1977 and has represented Ireland six times.
Lillian Starrett (Cairndhu) has been appointed manager of the team. The women's home internationals will be played at Royal Porthcawl, Wales from September 8th to 14th 2004.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Crowe (Tipperary/Ballykisteen) has been re-appointed as captain and Jackie Quinn (Co Louth) re-appointed as manager of the girls team.
The girls' home international matches will be played at Strathaven, Scotland, from August 11th to 13th 2004.
Pauline Martin (Woodbrook) has been re-appointed as captain of the senior home international team matches at Kilkeel, October 5th to 7th 2004.
