Bad weather and the loss of five of your six headline stars before the weekend would be enough to cripple most tour events.

The demise of the golf membership entrance fee in Ireland has become a reality as we head into 2013, writes Brian Keogh

It’s not a million-to-one shot — but a chance for the average club golfer to win a million.

THE venue for next year’s Irish Open could be revealed as soon as Tuesday next, with Killarney definitely ruled out.

NOT once since the event began in 1927 has an Irishman captained a Britain & Ireland or Europe Ryder Cup team.

MONEY rules — as thousands who understandably advocate the return of the Irish Open to Killarney for a third successive year may soon learn to their regret.

SEVERIANO Ballesteros knew as soon as he set foot in Ireland for the first time in 1976 that he would love the country and that the affection would be returned a thousand fold.

OH, what a Fianna Farce.

The economist who had drinks with the Taoiseach after his golf game with Sean Fitzpatrick has issued a statement to say the group did not discuss Anglo Irish Bank at their meeting in Druids Glen.

JUST how stupid does Brian Cowen think the people of Ireland are?

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was under increasing pressure today to explain previously private meetings with disgraced former Anglo-Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick.

BRIAN COWEN’S honesty was called into question by the opposition last night as the Taoiseach became embroiled in a growing political storm over his dealings with disgraced Anglo chief Sean FitzPatrick in the lead-up to the €34 billion bailout of the bank.

Questions must be asked about the disclosure that, as minister for finance, Brian Cowen had an extended telephone conversation with Seán FitzPatrick of Anglo Irish Bank around the time that the bank’s shares collapsed in March 2008, and that after becoming Taoiseach they had further contacts in the months leading up to the introduction of the bank guarantee in September.

SIX months ago who would have foreseen the possibility of the European Ryder Cup team facing the Americans in October without Sergio Garcia?

FROM the greens of Augusta to the green of the Emerald Isle and on to golfing glory?

IRISH golf had a day to remember at Baltray yesterday and, incredibly, Pádraig Harrington was not part of the feel-good story.

THE Irish Management Institute has postponed its annual two-day conference this year, replacing it with a less glitzy think-tank at its headquarters.

THE question of who or what caused our present recession is hotly debated.

A man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery, in which Minister Dick Roche was held at gunpoint, at the Marriott Hotel in Druids Glen in Co Wicklow.

An Government minister feared he would be shot when confronted today by an armed gang who robbed a hotel and golf resort.

OPTIMISM is high a successful season for professional golf in this country will be maintained, in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland tournament, starting over the picturesque Christy O’Connor Junior-designed Glasson course near Athlone this morning.

DOUBLE-digit spending increases are now “a thing of the past” following years of rapid rises in public spending, Finance Minister Brian Cowen said yesterday.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is today expected to announce the establishment of a committee to look into the possibility of extending Fianna Fáil into the North.

THE possibility of Fianna Fáil merging with the SDLP will be examined by a new committee, the Taoiseach is expected to announce today.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has confirmed that the Gorey Bypass will open four months ahead of schedule on July 5.

In an exclusive interview with Charlie Mulqueen, Colin Montgomerie talks about

THE North’s political parties are marginalised and have no say on what is going in the region, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern conceded yesterday.

THE director of a major US organisation which helps keep young people out of trouble will visit Limerick this week to see how a local golf club is working to keep boys and girls off the streets.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE lifted the Seve Trophy for a third successive time yesterday - despite losing his own singles yet again.

CAPTAINS Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal have agreed on a change to this week’s Seve Trophy - to try to avoid any grudge matches.

Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal lock horns again this week – 21 years after they clashed in the final of the British Amateur Championship.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was upbeat when he addressed the IMI conference yesterday in Druids Glen.

FINANCE Minister Brian Cowen warned that any new pay deal would have to be moderate if the economy is to sustain solid progress.

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen said he favoured a majority sell-off of Aer Lingus which would put an end to speculation about the future of the airline.

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Martin Cullen publicly rebuked Dr Phil Nolan of eircom at the IMI conference in Druids Glen, Co Wicklow, yesterday.

THE Irish Management Institute has pulled out of Killarney for this year’s annual conference.

IMI’s 2005 conference is designed to ensure the country stays in the top flight of global economic performers in the years ahead.

ONE of the great links on the west coast is set to be at the centre of a major professional tournament in 2007/’08.

An Irish venue was today voted European Golf Resort of the Year for 2005.

Foreign competition, new laws and changing tastes of Irish consumers are changing the face of Irish retailing, a leading retail representative declared today.

SOMEONE could be killed in the line of duty because of the crumbling garda radio system, GRA delegates were told yesterday.