The Irish Challenge

The strong Irish team came through, despite losing Friday's better ball matches at Calanova by 5 points to three.

The second edition of this event, when the Irish team defended the title they won last year against all-comers, was a success notwithstanding the disappointing numbers accepting the challenge on behalf of the rest of the known universe. However, the strong Irish team came through, despite losing Friday's better ball matches at Calanova by 5 points to three. They came through at Santa Maria the following day, winning the singles matches by 8 points to four and the overall match by the narrow margin of 11 points to nine. In order to ensure that there were some individual prizes, the format for the singles matches was modified from the traditional Ryder Cup matchplay to stroke play, the result in each match being decided by the best stableford score. Thus the winning individual was none other than the Irish captain Liam Roche, with 41 points (9 handicap), followed by his vice captain, Dennis "Dino" Gregan (8 handicap), while yet another Irishman, Paul Conway (10 handicap) came third with 37 points.

Liam is a regular competitor in our daily competitions and has the extraordinary ability to produce great scores, however much we cut his handicap. On this occasion, everyone played off their official handicaps, and yours truly was the unlucky one to be drawn against Liam. I'm proud to say that I was at least able to give him a run for his money.

The longest drive contest was won by Martin Holmes and nearest the pin was Roy McDowell, both members of the Rest of the World team, thus making a slight dent in the Irish monopoly. The shield provided by sponsors Golf Leisure Breaks was presented to the Irish captain by his opposite number Barry Hannam, and will be exhibited in the trophy cabinet at the Calanova club.

BIGGER AND BETTER

Next year's Irish Challenge is planned to be bigger and better, with plenty of corporate sponsorship and with a major Irish celebrity lending his name to the event and providing entertainment at a lavish Gala Dinner in the evening, following the final round of matches. More importantly, that wonderful local charity Cudeca will be invited to benefit from the event. The last week in May is planned for 2008; dates and other information will be advertised extensively from January onwards, although anyone can enter earlier by calling Julie on 952 582 943.