Ballybunion all set for Home Internationals

HAVING previously hosted the Men’s Home Internationals in 2003 when Ireland captained by Mark Gannon lifted the Raymond Trophy, Ballybunion’s famous old course hosts the Ladies Home Internationals for the first time in its 125-year history beginning today Wednesday.

The old course is in superb shape thanks to the efforts of Course Superintendent John Bambury and his team and has a real old-fashioned links look and feel following the long spell of dry, hot weather while the new eighteenth green will be used for the first time-ever in a championship, giving spectators in the clubhouse an excellent view of the action.

The Lady Captain will of course be the focus of much attention this week with various ceremonies to attend and guests to meet and speaking to the Kerryman Nora Quaid said: “It is indeed a tremendous honour for Ballybunion to host a tournament of this stature-especially on our 125th birthday and the players are in for a real treat as the old course will have a true links feel with firm fairway and fast greens after the recent bout of hot weather”.

“I’ve had a very busy and enjoyable year as Lady Captain but hosting this event will no doubt be the highlight of my time in office and with the course in great shape, we are all really looking forward to watching some great golf over the three days.”

Nora would also like to encourage anybody with even the slightest interest in golf to come along and watch the action and admission is totally free.

The championship has been largely dominated for the best part of a decade by England, but the Irish ladies team are the current holders of the title, having won it last year for the first time since 2004 at Little Aston near Birmingham. However just two of last year’s team Paula Grant & Máiréad Martin will be in action at Ballybunion this week as they attempt to defend their title.

No stranger to Ballybunion, Paula Grant won the Irish Ladies Close there in 2013 beating Lisa Maguire in dramatic fashion on the nineteenth in an exciting final and local interest will of course focus on Mairéad Martin who is a member of Killarney Golf Club.

Meanwhile, Mairéad’s club mate Valerie Clancy plays on the Irish team in the Girls Home Internationals which are also taking place at Ballybunion this week and both players are sure to attract a lot of support from the Kerry area.

Ireland will play Wales, England & Scotland over the following three days with foursomes matches in the mornings followed by singles in the afternoon.

Julie McCarthy (centre) presenting her Husband Derry’s Captain’s Prize to winner Donie McSweeney with (front left) Denis O’Neill 2nd, Katie and Brian McCarthy, Derry McCarthy Captain, Jack Buckley President (second row from left) Peter Hannon 3rd, Ian Spillane best gross, John Herlihy 4th, Tim O’Donoghue 5th, Kevin Cronin 6th (third row from left) Mark Tuite 8th, Brendan O’Toole 13th, Brian Kelliher 9th, Dinny Lyons 10th, Sean Moynihan 11th, Martin Stackpool 14th (back from left) Jason O’Connor who accepted guest prize on behalf of Damien Fleming, Eric Dunlea 15th, Tommy Galvin 16th, David Cronin 18th, Tedso Connor 19th and Jim Sheehan 20th at Killarney Golf Club on Sunday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin