The starter talked the rookies through it all on the first tee, then sent them off with the happy rejoinder — “This is tropical, lads!”

Ireland captain Niall MacSweeney says he was disappointed but is excited about the future of Irish golf after Saturday’s runners-up finish to Italy in the Men’s Octagonal Match in Spain.

Lisburn were the winners of the AIG Men’s Barton Shield, while Roscommon took the AIG Women’s Senior Foursomes title after a thrilling day in the sunshine at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but having a good caddie could be worth its weight in gold on the final day of the South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship when wind and rain is set to test the title candidates to the limit at Lahinch.

Colm Campbell hit one of the shots of the championship to beat Carton House’s Marc Boucher 1 up and move into the quarter-finals of the 121st South of Ireland Amateur Championship at Lahinch.

Just four Munster men were left standing as a southwest wind gusting over 35mph proved the difference maker on the opening day of matchplay combat in the 121st South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

Douglas’ Jack Murphy and Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley were the leading Irish players to qualify for the final 36 holes in the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham.

Athenry’s David Kitt looks set for a big season and after opening with a brace of two-under 70s, he head the Irish challenge in the 92nd Portuguese International Amateur Championship at Montado Golf Resort.

Carton House’s Keith Egan made five birdies in a three-under 69 to lead the Irish challenge in the 92nd Portuguese International Amateur Championship at Montado Golf Resort.

Five strokes cover the top 31 on the leaderboard and seven the entire field heading into Sunday’s final 36 holes of what looks like a wide-open AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close at Tullamore Golf Club.

Carton House’s Keith Egan opened with a two-over 74 to lead the Irish challenge after the opening round of the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey at Real Club de Golf El Prat near Terrassa in Barcelona.