Keeping on top of results

ONE of my main tasks each year in writing this column is the reporting of the various Cups and Shields in both Men’s and Ladies golf on a national, provincial, and of course more importantly, a local level.

Since I took over from the Right Honourable WD O’Grady in 2002, I have managed to do this successfully from attending matches, receiving reports from the two golfing unions and of course through a network of contacts that I have built up over that period of time.

This year, however, is certainly proving a challenge as everything has changed and these various events are no longer being run off over a weekend when I could attend or receive the reports on a Monday morning by email.

There is of course no ladies golf, which lessens the load, but in the Men’s events matches are being played on an agreed date between clubs which I would have no access to, and with this “Home & Away” system where three matches are played at home and two away, it is becoming very difficult indeed to keep track of what is happening.

Some matches may well have already been played, as deadlines for the completion of the first rounds are nearing, but I will endeavour to have as many results as possible in the coming weeks.

Just a reminder that the closing dates for round one are: Pierce Purcell Shield (August 3), Jimmy Bruen Shield (August 9), Irish Junior Cup (August 3) and Irish Senior Cup (August 9).

If any clubs have already completed matches and would like to send me their results, you can do so by email to: kerrymangolf@ gmail.com.

IT was announced on Friday last that the ILGU will not be sending teams to the European Team Championships in Sweden, European Ladies Senior Team Championships in Bulgaria or the European Young Masters in Slovakia this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is anyone surprised?

Based on a poll of Ireland’s lady golfers earlier this year, all ILGU events for this season were cancelled, so how then were teams meant to be picked?

Apart from the obvious safety risk, it would have been rather foolish to go picking teams on merit or maybe last year’s form and then sending them abroad when none of the players have had any competitive action since last September.

Sinead Heraty, Chief Executive of the ILGU announcing the decision not to send teams to compete said on Friday:

“While the ILGU is committed to supporting our High Performance golfers and providing playing opportunities for them on an international stage, the Union also has a responsibility for player safety. To bring athletes to various countries at a time when the health risk associated with international travel is relatively uncertain ultimately was the deciding factor.”