mount juliet & royal portrush top our 2012 polls - Backspin Golf ...

NEWSDeskPEOPLE * PLACES * EVENTSEmail your news items and hi-resolution jpegphotos to golfbiz@eircom.netLexi sets new recordAmerican teenager Lexi Thompsonbecame the youngest professionalgolfer to win on the Ladies EuropeanTour when she captured the OmegaDubai Ladies Masters by four shots atThe Emirates Club before Christmas.She was aged 16 years, 10 monthsand 8 days.However the youngest ever LadiesEuropean Tour event winner was anamateur, South Korean Amy Yang, whowas aged 16 years, 6 months and 8 days,when she won the ANZ Ladies Mastersin Australia in 2006.Thompson’s first tour victory came inthe 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic.Mary McKennaLexi ThompsonAnother honour for MaryAfew months after she was awarded anHonorary MBE, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth11, in recognition of her services to sports, CurtisCup legend Mary McKenna has been appointedPresident Elect of the Irish Ladies Golf Union.Her Presidential term of office will commencein January 2013 when the current ILGU PresidentMarjorie McCorduck (Roscrea) completes hertwo year term.Luke DonaldLuke to return to sceneof key 2011 tour victoryLuke Donald has confirmed that he willreturn to Castle Stuart Golf Links next Julyto defend the Scottish Open title which helpedhim make golfing history in 2011.A sensational final round 63 in last year’sScottish Open earned him a four stroke victoryand triggered an amazing run of formthrough the second half of the season by the34-year-old EnglishmanHe ended 2011 as No. 1 in The EuropeanTour’s Race to Dubai, top of the US PGA Tourmoney list and No. 1 in the World Rankings.Photo of Luke Donald above by ©Getty Images.Bright future for BarryBarrie Trainor confirmed his potential bywinning the 2011 Lexus Race to MountJuliet in association with PING.The Warrenpoint golfer produced twoexcellent rounds in the grand final at MountJuliet to win the Irish Order of Merit.Following 38 counting events during the2011 season, less than 600 points separatedTrainor from the defending champion, DavidHiggins (Waterville), at the top of theleaderboard.Left to right: At the 2011 Lexus Race to Mount Julietpresentation were Colin Donovan, Managing Director, MountJuliet, Kevin O’Reilly, Operations Manager, Lexus Ireland, BarrieTrainor and Michael McCumiskey, Regional Secretary, PGAIreland.Pic: Matt Browne/SportsfileMary represented Great Britain & Ireland onnine successive Curtis Cup teams from 1970 andten Vagliano Trophy teams from 1969.She captained the GB&I Curtis Cup teams in2008 and 2010 and the Vagliano teams of 1995,2007 & 2009. She currently sits on the ILGU’sHigh Performance Committee supporting thedevelopment of the game at all levels and sheserves as a great inspiration to rising stars.BACKSPIN | 21