The happiest group of people at last night’s low-key annual delegates meeting of the Munster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland in Mallow were the representatives of Ballyneety Golf Club, formerly Limerick County, who were awarded the Munster Branch Club of the Year award for 2014.

Golf membership in Munster continues to decline, according to figures released by provincial officials.

The first steps to remove a controversial anomaly in golf’s handicap system were taken at this week’s Golfing Union of Ireland Munster Branch AGM at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.

The controversial handicap system operated by CONGU (Council of National Golf Unions of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) will be discussed at the Annual Delegates Meetings of the Irish provinces.