Castletroy Gc’s Mary Byrne is arguably the most improved golfer around, following a season in which her handicap has been cut from 36 all the way down to a most competitive 20.

COMMUNITY GOLF INITIATIVE: With the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Ger Fahy, at Rathbane Golf Club for the Community Youth Golf Challenge last Wednesday were: Sgt Mike Nash, and Garda Domonic Curtin, Community Gardaí, Roxboro Garda Station, and Amy Linnane and Abbey Hurley. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Ms. Byrne’s latest drop came about after she recorded a highly impressive 39 points to win ‘The Masters,’ which lost her another two shots off her handicap.  For the record, the winners’ nearest challenger in the tournament was another tidy golfer Glory Ryan (18), who finished five points adrift on 34 points.

The ever-improving player is now keen to reach single figures on the handicap front in 2008, not overly ambitious for a performer who dropped 16 shots since only March of this year.

IN an interview given at the European Tour ending Volvo Masters in Valderrama, its Chief Executive George O’Grady was vague on the recent statement by the Tour that a strong Irish Open with the support of Fáilte Ireland was the way forward for the game in Ireland.

“We’re in a continuing dialogue with the Irish Government and the tourist board who wish to strongly support the Irish Open,” O’Grady said.  “In fact, Tom Kane was due here this weekend but that might have to wait until next week at Wentworth.”  O’Grady is hopeful that a significant hike in the prize fund at Adare and perhaps a change in date will make a difference from 2009 onwards.

Commented Kane: “Increasing the prize fund is all very fine but it doesn’t reduce the costs of underwriting the event, so I’m continuing to work on raising the extra sponsorship required.

“Does a prize money increase guarantee a stronger field?  I’m not too sure…the French Open put up €4 million this year and virtually nobody showed up.  These guys are making so much money these that they can pick and choose where they go.  As for the €400,000 mentioned from possible Fáílte Ireland support, I presume this will be incremental although it remains to be seen whether all or some of that money is forthcoming.

“Increasing the prize fund is all very fine but it doesn’t reduce the costs of underwriting the event, so I’m continuing to work on raising the extra sponsorship required (mentioned to be an additional €800,000).”

It remains in mid-May for 2008 and it’s a date that the Kane Family is happy with for now.

Commented Gillian Bolwer of Fáilte Ireland of late:  “It is our ambition to return the Irish Open to its position as one of the top golf events in Europe with a level of funding that will secure a better date in the schedule and attract a strong field of strong players playing at the best venues in Ireland (Adare for the next two years, at least).”