Cameron Raymond from Newlands finished third as the Henry Cooper Junior Masters 72-hole tournament at Nizels Golf Club, Tonbridge in Kent ended in possibly record winning margins in both the boys’ and girls’ sections. England’s Benjamin Jones won the boys’ title with a brilliant aggregate of 18-under-par 270 (69-69-63-69), 10 strokes ahead of runner-up Darren Howie from Scotland (68-73-73-66) with Raymond third after carding rounds of 73, 69, 68 and 71 for 281.
Reece Black from Hilton Templepatrick signed for rounds of 76, 71, 72 and 71 for 290 while Roscommon’s Alan Hill shot 73 73 72 and 81 or 299. The girls’ tournament was won by Junior Vagliano Trophy U16s team selection Lily May Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) by the staggering margin of 12 shots. She scored 71, 75, 75 and 68.
Distant joint runners-up were Carys Worby (Newport Links), another member of the GB and I team for the U16s match against the Continent of Europe in Italy on Friday and Saturday next, and Hannah Screen (Berkhamsted). Worby scored 77, 80, 72 and 72 for 301, the same total as Screen who shot rounds of 77, 74, 72 and 78.
Hoey, McElroy and Moynihan in Irish Open
Five-time European Tour winner Michael Hoey and Team Ireland grant recipients Dermot McElroy and Gavin Moynihan have been awarded invitations for next month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart.
Former BMW PGA winner Simon Khan has also been given a golden ticket for the event from Category 6A (Professional Invitations) but it remains to be seen if further Team Ireland players will hear good news with two invitations remaining.
There are no amateurs in the field this year as it is a Rolex Series event with strict criteria and pressure on places. The GUI would have been unable to send any of its preferred top six players as they will be travelling to the European Amateur Team Championships in Austria during the Irish Open.
New title sponsor for NI Open
Galgorm Resort & Spa has become the new Title Sponsor of the Northern Ireland Open presented by Modest! Golf to further enhance its long-standing relationship with one of the best supported events on the European schedule. Galgorm Resort & Spa has been a partner of the NI Open from the beginning and now the award-winning hotel has elevated its commitment to become the new title sponsor for what promises to be another exciting staging of Northern Ireland’s national annual professional golf tournament.
Memorable few weeks for Sharkey family
The Sharkey family from Cork have just had a memorable few weeks on the Links. Michelle left the field of 200 a long way back to win the Monkstown ladies captain’s (Triona O’Loghlin) prize with a fantastic score of 50 points playing of a handicap of 36. Two weeks later dad Ciaran swept the field to win the men’s captain’s (Martin Walsh) prize with 44 points. Janet then claimed the monthly medal. Michelle was not quite finished, claiming the Ronnie O’Donnovan memorial trophy at Ceann Sibeal with another memorable score of 48 points, this time off 25.
South entries close on Wednesday
Lahinch Golf Club, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary, will host the 116th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship commencing on Wednesday 26th July and concluding on Sunday 30th July 2017. Closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday next June 28th 2017.
The Championship involves 150 of the leading amateurs in the country participating in 36 holes qualifying over the Wednesday and Thursday, with the top 64 coming through to the matchplay stages. The semi-finals and final take place on Sunday July 30th. Pierse Motors Volkswagen, based in Tipperary town, have confirmed their sponsorship of Ireland’s oldest Championship. Gary Pierse, Managing Director of Pierse Motors, commented “We are delighted to continue with our sponsorship of the South of Ireland Championship. Lahinch boasts one of the finest golf courses in the country and I have no doubt that the event will be a huge success once again.”
Padraig Slattery, Captain Lahinch Golf Club, said “the South of Ireland is the last major opportunity for our leading amateur golfers to impress selectors before the Home Internationals which will be held at Moortown GC between August 16th and 18th. Last year, nine of the victorious Irish Men’s team played in the South of Ireland. Lahinch Golf Club is appreciative of the support of the Golfing Union of Ireland in ensuring that our leading golfers have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as John Burke, JB Carr, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.
“The weekend finish was very well received last year and played mid-summer at peak holiday time in Lahinch. The South is generally regarded as the most enjoyable of the amateur ‘majors’ with large crowds guaranteed while golf is the talk of the village throughout the week. Lahinch and the surrounding area is gearing up for another memorable five days of golf and all visitors are welcome to come along and join in the festivities as we celebrate 125 years of golf.”
Lloyd makes a major move
England’s Chris Lloyd birdied the first play-off hole to win the Europro Tour PDC Golf Championship at Studley Wood in Oxfordshire to claim his second win of the season. Lloyd closed with a three-over 76 after opening rounds of 65 and 67 to finish tied with Alasdair Dalgliesh (67, 69, 72) on 11-under par before triumphing in sudden death to take the £10,000 top prize, leaving him more than £11,000 clear at the top of the Race to Amendoeira. Reeve Whitson from Royal Co Down shot 66, 71 and a level par 73 and Jonny Caldwell from Clandeboye 67, 71 and 74 to leave them tied 16th on seven-under 212, one stroke ahead of Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney (71, 70, 72) with David Carey (73, 68, 73) and Brian McElhinney (68, 73, 73) tied 28th on five-under 214.
Two new caps on Connacht team
Connacht have named two new caps for next week’s Interprovincial matches at Carlow. TJ Ford from Co Sligo, who stared in last year’s AIG Senior Cup victory at Carton House, and Devin Morley from Oughterard the 2015 Irish Boy International, who has just completed his first year on Golf Scholarship in the US, will make their debuts.
These two will be backed by the current North of Ireland, West of Ireland and Munster Strokeplay and Mullingar Scratch Cup holders in Sean Flanagan (Co. Sligo), Barry Anderson (The Royal Dublin) and Ronan Mullarney (Galway).
The remaining three members of the team – Mark Morrissey, Jack McDonnell and Cathal Nolan – all made their debuts in the side which went close to victory at Fota Island last year.
Connacht: TJ Ford (Co. Sligo), Sean Flanagan (Co Sligo), Mark Morrissey (Co Sligo), Barry Anderson (The Royal Dublin), Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little), Ronan Mullarney (Galway), Devin Morley (Oughterard), Cathal Nolan (Galway).
