Erry duo complete the treble in Leinster mixed foursomes

Tracey McGrath has continued on her impressive winning streak in 2009 as she and her brother Joe won the Leinster Mixed Foursomes at Ryston last weekend, for the third year in a row. A score of 24up was enough to secure the victory for the duo from Erry over Christina Carroll and John Curran (Seapoint), who posted a score of 22up in the early morning session just before Tracey and Joe signed of on their 11 and 13 under par gross scores. Another brother and sister team took the gross prize, Chrissie and Paul Byrne (St. Brigid's) finished on 21up. National Seniors Strokeplay Qualifying Rounds The qualifying rounds for the National Seniors Strokeplay Finals took place last weekend at Ferbane and the successful qualifiers were as follows: Senior Grade - John Fleming (Tullamore), John Dunican (Ferbane), Billy Buckley (Erry), Patsy Reams (Ferbane), Inter Grade - Larry Maher Snr. (Erry), Tom Egan (Ferbane), Johnny Scully (Erry), Brendan Gorman (Tullamore), Mick Devery (Erry), Junior Grade - J. Dunne and Ultan McCabe (Ferbane), Ladies Inter Grade - Ann Minogue (Ferbane) Mary Cuskelly and Alice Murphy (Tullamore). Tullamore Pitch & Putt club will play superb hosts to yet another national championship as the finals for the National Ladies and Gents Seniors Strokeplay take place on September 26 and 27th. All are encouraged to come along and support the Offaly representatives who will indeed be amongst the favourites for what has become a coveted title. Irish International Open The inaugural Irish International Pitch & Putt Open takes centre stage next weekend at one of the top championship courses and best known courses in Ireland, Royal Meath, Clonee, Co. Meath. The open has secured the kind sponsorship of Clonee Business Park and tees off on Friday September 11, with practice rounds for all competitors. The open will be played over 54 holes strokeplay, 36 holes on Saturday and the final 18 holes being played on Sunday. The championship makes for an unforgettable event which has been eagerly anticipated for the past number of years and will showcase the most talented bunch of international players on the circuit from around the world. The Irish representatives will no doubt be confident of keeping the Irish title on home soil with roughly 70 top players in Ireland taking part. The Irish field includes two Erry and Offaly players who are no strangers to the International stage of the game, William Buckley Jnr. and Tracey McGrath. Tracey has already had a terrific summer, winning the National Matchplay and Strokeplay double and completing a hat-trick of Leinster Mixed Foursome titles with her brother Joseph and will be hoping to compete strongly at the Clonee course. William has on the other hand had a mixed year on the circuit and will be hoping to rekindle his form as one of the many past National Strokeplay champions taking part next weekend. Tracey's male counterparts Ray Murphy and Bryan Delaney of Cork, winners of the National Gents Matchplay and Strokeplay respectively, will also compete. They will be amongst the 15 of the top 20 ranked Irish gents players taking part in the event. Dates for your diary Kilbeggan Scratch Cup takes place on Sunday September 13. Ferbane Open Fourball tees off from September 17-19 with their Scratch Cup taking place on Sunday September 20.