DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

AFTER finishing runner-up in four previous championships, Rory Leonard finally won the big one when he lifted the Radisson-Blu West of Ireland trophy at Rosses Point yesterday.

Paul Dunne (Greystones) today became the first player to successfully defend the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship with a two-stroke victory over Knock’s Colin Fairweather at Bangor Golf Club.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

THIS will be a big weekend on and off the course for several of our leading golfers.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler and Portmarnock’s James Fox fired three-under-par 69s to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at fast-running Baltray.

Scotland's Gavin Dear has one-stroke lead entering Sunday's final 36 holes of the Irish Amateur Open at a windy Royal Dublin.

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs took advantage of perfect early morning conditions to scorch to a six-under par 66 and a two stroke lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at County Louth.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Lurgan's Gareth Shaw made two visits to the 20th before progressing to the last 16 of the South of Ireland Amateur Open at Lahinch.

Limerick's Pat Murray fired a three under par 69 to share the first round lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.

Rory McIlroy lost his way on the back nine as Czech champion Marek Novy grabbed the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Despite the heavy rain, three players, Quentin Carew (Edenderry), Iarlaith Keane (Malahide) and Steffan O’Hara (Co. Sligo) share the lead on one over par 72 following the first round of the inaugural Irish Boys Under 15 Open 36 holes at Balbriggan Golf Club.

Today's scores from the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship.

Warrenpoint’s Jim Carvill got his title defence off to a winning start in the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch today.

Chile's Hugo Leon carded a brilliant five-under-par 67 to grab the clubhouse lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray.

Chile's Hugo Leon carded a brilliant five under par 67 to grab the clubhouse lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray.

East of Ireland Championship at the Co Louth golf club

East of Ireland Championship 2005

Rory McIlroy of Holywood Golf Club has won the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship

Local lad Wayne Telford has again stormed to the top of the leaderboard on the Valley Course after the opening day's qualifying round in the Magners North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The First Round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championshiop has been completed at Baltray Golf Club in Co Louth.

Mullingar’s John Morris opened with a five under par 67 to take a one shot lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth yesterday.

Holywood professional Paul Gray hit the birdie trail shooting a course record at Enniscrone in the annual Celuplast pro-am tournament.

Philip Walton shot eight birdies to win the Ashbourne pro-am tournament, sponsored jointly by Polyflor Ireland and Pat's Carpets.

John Dwyer collected the Spar Moran Cup at Royal Dublin but had to survive shootout drama with Neil Manchip after the pair shared a five-under-par 67.

Leslie Walker's big hitting came into play as he reduced three of the four long holes at Luttrellstown Castle to four shots each time.

Philip Walton put in a stroming finish at sunny Castlerock when he carded a two-under-par 71 to snatch the overnight lead in the first round of the £110,000 Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship.

Philip Walton chalked up his first win on the Irish PGA Tour in more than two years with a storming finish in the 36-holes £20,000 AIB Connemara pro-am.