Leinster Ladies Alliance needs new blood
SIXTY-SEVEN years of existence is a major achievement for any sporting group but the Leinster Ladies Alliance is keen to forge ahead for a while longer and actively seeking new members for the 2108-19 season.
Offering competitive winter golf for women who play off nine or lower, the Alliance features ten challenge matches against men’s teams from Dublin clubs as well as another six monthly singles outings at venues across the province from October to March.
Affiliated to the ILGU and boasting 65 active members, the Alliance is keen to get as many single figure golfers out playing through the winter season as possible.
Players whose handicaps are adjusted to nine or better during the season are welcome to join a group featuring a wide range of golfers from seniors, budding juniors and top college players hailing from more than 30 clubs.
“The ten Challenge matches are hotly contested against men’s clubs,” explained Honorary Secretary, Ciara Bourke.
“We play the men’s card in a fourball better ball format and field five pairs for two matches per month. These games are always played in great competitive spirit!”
While the ladies get one or two “courtesy shots” to make up the difference between the men’s and the ladies’ cards, the matches give club teams some winter practice against a high-quality Leinster Ladies Alliance team.
“Each year we have an interprovincial Challenge Match against the Munster Ladies Alliance,” Ciara added. “And while we lost in Killarney last year, we will be in Powerscourt for the 2019 challenge having been forced to cancel our match at beautiful Bunclody last year due to the snow.”
The Alliance also runs internal, 18-hole singles and foursomes matchplay events during the season.
“Players must partner with someone from another club and cannot play together in consecutive seasons,” added Ciara, whose hole-in-one in the first Challenge Match of the season against Dun Laoghaire on October 21 was not enough to avoid defeat to the men.
“That is a fantastic practice as it allows members to play different courses throughout the season. We arrange for the two finals to be played on a neutral venue in March to add to the ‘match situation’.
“We are very proud to have two former Curtis Cup players and captains in Elm Park’s Ita Butler and Donabate’s Mary McKenna as honorary members.
“Pat Doran, Sheena McElroy, Gertie McMullan and Carol Wickham, who all represented Ireland in this year Seniors Team, are also members and play in nearly every outing as well as our Challenge matches and matchplays.
“We have a number of the players from Dun Laoghaire’s winning Revive Active Fourball team playing this year, including our 2018-19 captain, Fionnula Halpin.
“We also have representatives from the Junior Cup winning team in Rathfarnham and many players who compete in the Scratch Cups through the summer.”
Ladies who play off nine
or better and would like to become members of the Leinster Ladies Alliance are encouraged to email leinsterladiesalliance@gmail. com.
Annual membership costs €30 (just €15 for Students).