The GUI will stage a once-off club competition this year which it estimates will be the biggest ever amateur golf event in this country. All 391 affiliated clubs will be eligible to enter the "GUI Bulmers Millennium Medal Challenge", with players competing at club, county and finally national level.

Teams will be selected on the basis of winners of four handicap categories in designated club monthly medal competitions in either May, June or July, with county finals taking place in August/September and the national final at Newlands Golf Club on September 30th.

"The start of the new Millennium has inspired many initiatives at local, national and international level, but the GUI's instigation in providing a platform for every individual club golfer in the country to participate in the biggest ever amateur event in Ireland ranks among the most practical ideas of all," said Patrick Kierans, of Bulmers.