Swedish raider Rikard Karlberg carded a sensational course record 65 to grab the first round lead in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Swedish teenager Rikard Karlberg carded a course record 65 to take the clubhouse lead in the West of Ireland championship at Rosses Point today.

UNLIKE so many competitors in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point, John “Junior” Morris is an out-and-out amateur golfer.

The draw for the semi-finals of the Northern Bank Towns' Cup will be made tomorrow.

COLM MORIARTY (Athlone) and Justin Kehoe (Birr) have been selected to compete in the Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship and the NSW Medal and Amateur Championship in Australia early in the New Year.

IRELAND’S hopes of winning their first Amateur Home International title for 11 years were scuppered in the sunshine at Royal St David’s Harlech yesterday when Wales overcame them 8.1/2 to 6.1/2 in a contest even closer than the scoreline suggests.

ALTHOUGH there has been a serious drain to the professional ranks, especially where outstanding players like Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Stephen Browne are concerned, Irish captain Eddie Dunne is positive where his team’s prospects in this week’s home international at Royal St David’s, Harlech, are concerned.

Defending champion Stuart Paul was one of four senior internationals who were pushed out of the Ireland Amateur Open Championship today.

There are three changes in both the mens and womens Ulster teams for the Inter-provincial championships next month.

Stuart Paul from Tandragee has won the Carlsberg North of Ireland Championship with a 2&1 win over new Walker Cup cap Graeme McDowell at Royal Portrush.

Stuart Paul from Tandragee shot a super 67 on the Dunluce course today to be