Harding and Jeppessen equal course record at Rosses Point

ROSSES Point, Easter and the West of Ireland Championship invariably mean only one thing — wind, rain and cold.

However, that could hardly have been further from the case yesterday when the great Sligo links was bathed in glorious sunshine with temperatures as high as 22 celsius for the first day of a championship dating back to 1923. However, there was a sea breeze to keep things interesting and at the end of a long day, it was inevitable that there were numerous demands for sun cream protections.

It was a day for the best players to make hay even if the cream of the crop, Colm Moriarty and Justin Kehoe, for reasons best-known to themselves, opted to travel instead to Wales to compete in the Duncan Putter. Both are in pursuit of places on this year’s British & Irish Walker Cup team but the Duncan Putter is not one of the events designated by captain Garth McGimpsey and the selectors. Furthermore, it is pointed out by GUI officials that Moriarty and Kehoe were funded on their recent trip to Australia by the Union. They did exceptionally well, especially Moriarty who captured two prestigious titles Down Under, to improve their prospects of facing the Americans at Ganton in September. Moriarty, from Athlone, is a product of the Connacht coaching system.

The little-known City of Derry golfer John Harding and Stefan Jeppessen, a member of the 12-strong Swedish national panel taking part at Rosses Point, equalled the course record with sparkling rounds of five under par 66. Otherwise, the links won its battle with Ulsterman Gary Wardlow on 69 the only other player on 70. Then came a couple of Swedes along with Muskerry’s Neil Turner, David Kelleher (Portmarnock) and Rory Leonard of Banbridge on even par 71. Meanwhile, Irish Internationals Colm Moriarty and Justin Kehoe begin their preparations in earnest this weekend for the European Amateur Team Championships in Holland in July with a significant appearance in Wales. Athlone’s rising star Moriarty, who plays off a handicap of plus four, and Plus three handicapper Kehoe from Birr both compete in the 72-hole Duncan Putter tournament over the tough Southerndown links.

They are two of nine Great Britain and Ireland squad members in the 60-strong field Topping the impressive list of entries is Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme, winner recently of his third Sherry Cup in four years.