Golf champs

This month will be only the second time that the men’s and women’s island golf championships will be played concurrently at the same course, with qualifying over 36 holes on the same days.

It is the 86th playing of the men’s championship and the 81st playing of the women’s competition, with the qualifying rounds being played on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 - 18 holes each day - with match-play rounds on the weekday evenings culminating with the finals on Saturday, July 22.

The venue this year is Ramsey and, thanks to the greenkeepers, the course will be in immaculate condition so all at the northern club are looking forward to welcoming the players for what surely will be a terrific week of golf.

Plans have been worked on for several months now and we all hope that the weather will be kind as we’re told that the sun always shines in Ramsey!

It would be good to see a full field and there is still time to get your entries in online at www.isleofmangolf.im or by getting in touch with Anthony Crawley on 338531 ahead of the entry deadline this Sunday, July 9.

Dennis McGurgan and the team at Grant Thornton have again been very generous with their continued sponsorship of the event and Isle of Man Golf is extremely grateful for the terrific assistance given which is much appreciated.

So who are the names to lookout for in this year’s championships? As always there will be some surprises and the permutations are endless but, for the men’s event, defending Champion and five-times winner Paul Lowey is looking good having just won the WA Kirkpatrick Trophy recently.

The Isle of Man’s gold medal-winning NatWest Island Games team of Alex McAuley, Tom Harris, Daryl Callister and Jon Corke will be looking for more prizes, not forgetting Kevin Moore who will be full of good thoughts after a tremendous week in Gotland.

Depending on his schedule, Tom Gandy would look to win his first Isle of Man championship and we all know he is keen to achieve this.

Without mentioning all the possibles and probables, home course advantage must count for a lot so Jamie Arneil would be a home favourite along with David and Martin Kinrade.

The women’s championship will be just as exciting with Breeshey Jansen looking to add a third island title. Other players from the Island Games team, including Catherine Cassidy, Kayleigh Dawson and not forgetting their team manager Lynda Simpson, will also want to do well.

Local favourites Jane Gaines and Joy Morris will be very competitive, as will last year’s losing finalist Shirley Price. If Emma Harris is available to play, she too would be a great inclusion having won the championship six times previously.

Many others will be keen to qualify so make sure you enter and give it a go. It will be a great two days out, with a golf course in marvellous condition playing amongst friends and, who knows, maybe in good weather!

It is also an opportunity to show appreciation for sponsor Dennis McGurgan and Grant Thornton who have helped Isle of Man Golf so much over the years. It also helps support Ramsey GC, Isle of Man Golf and president Dee Lewis.

No excuses about not having a 36-hole battery as qualifying is over 18 holes each day, followed by some good food in the clubhouse and the chance to reflect on what could be a great golfing week for you.

All at Isle of Man Golf look forward to seeing you at Ramsey for the qualifying weekend and throughout the following week for the matchplay stages as a player, caddie, supporter or spectator.

GEOFF SKILLICORN