Three of Ireland's Elite squad boosted their chances of Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy team places after figuring prominently in the Brabazon Trophy at Royal Cinque Ports and Deal over the weekend. Athlone's Colm Moriarty finished second just two shots off the winner South African Charl Schwartzel while Justin Kehoe (Birr) and Andrew McCormick (Scrabo) also impressed.

Schwartzel took the title with a closing round of 70 at Deal. The 17-year-old from near Johannesburg hit a six-under-par 282 to claim a two-shot winning margin from Moriarty, who carded a closing 68.

At one stage Schwartzel, Moriarty and Walker Cup Welshman Nigel Edwards, who finished third, were tied on four under par.

But the young Springbok reeled off three birdies in four holes from the 10th to open a lead that was never really threatened.

"When we arrived here I felt if I could get a couple of top 10 finishes it would be good," Schwartzel said. "To win is a bonus but I felt if I could shoot two rounds of 70 I might win and I did. My driving and putting were the keys while that run of birdies was what swung it for me."

Moriarty had rounds of 72, 75, 69 and 68 for a 284 total while Kehoe was joint fifth. A disappointing 80 in the second round ruined the Birrman's chances but he came back strongly with 70 and 71 for a 290 total. McCormick, who is a member of the Walker Cup squad, also got into the top 15 on 295 after rounds of 79, 72, 73 and 71.

Meanwhile, Graeme McDowell was upstaged by his international colleague David Jones in the NCAA Regional final qualifying. Jones fired a four-under-par 212 to take fourth place at Little Rock, while McDowell was the top scorer for UAB at Roswell. The Walker Cup player finished tied for eighth place after shooting a even-par 72 in the final round. McDowell finished the tournament on three-over-par 219 to collect his 10th top-10 finish of the year.

Jones led the University of Toledo into the finals for the third time in four years. Both players will now tee-up in the NCAA Championship in Columbus, Ohio from May 29th to June 1st. The top 10 teams from each of the three regional finals advanced to the championship.

Toledo has made it to the finals in 1964, 1999 and 2001 - their best finish being in1999 when they took 16th place.

"All of our guys stepped up and played well in what were tough playing conditions," said coach David Graf. "David Jones had a great tournament. To shoot a 73 with the wind and with the tough pin placements is really something."

Toledo advanced to the championship despite playing without one of its best players, Alan Murray from Greystones. He missed the tournament due to an emergency appendectomy on May 10th.

"It was tough for us to go without Alan, who has been one of our best player," said Graf. "We'd really like to get him healthy for the championship. He'll start practicing tomorrow and we'll go from there."

A back injury has disrupted Elaine Dowdall's schedule as she challenges for a place on the Curtis Cup team. The 24-year-old squad member had to withdraw from the recent Helen Holm Trophy in Scotland. The muscles were inflamed and needed rest before physiotherapy could be applied to the injury.

Dowdall also withdrew from last week's Leinster Championship at Co Louth and is hopeful of being fit for the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews next month.