logo_golf.gif (859 bytes) Golf

Golfing visitors to the Isle of Man this July are in for a real treat! We have eight golf courses on the Island all of them with beautiful views of the Island.
The three courses we are using for the Games are Castletown (men and ladies), Mount Murray (men) and Peel (ladies). The three are all completely different in that Castletown is
a real links course whilst the other two are more parkland in nature. All three are a real challenge to any player.


Castletown Golf Links is situated in the south of the Island on the Langness peninsula. With superb views across the surrounding bays to the rolling hills
in the north this true championship links course (it was the venue a few years ago for the mini Ryder Cup - the match between British and US professionals) provides a real challenge to any golfer, particularly when the wind blows! The length of the course off the championship tees is 6,711 yards with a par of 72. Castletown Golf Links has an excellent hotel with a swimming pool.

Mount Murray Golf and Country Club is a hilly course situated in the beautiful Manx countryside some 8 kms from Douglas. The length of the course
off the championship tees is 6,715 yards and the par is 73. Mount Murray has a first class hotel with extensive leisure and conference facilities.

Peel Golf Club is situated in the west of the Island about 15 kms from Douglas. Its friendly clubhouse looks out over the 18th hole and the course
enjoys magnificent views of the Manx countryside. The length of the course from the ladies' tees is 5,398 yards with a par of 72.

A total of 15 islands are contesting the men's event while 10 teams have entered the ladies' competition.

The Isle of Man's teams are being sponsored by Scottish Provident International. The men's team has already been selected whilst the ladies have a
squad of 12 from whom the final 4 will be chosen. Knowledge of our local courses should help the Manx players as they attempt to improve on the
recent medals won - the bronze by the men in Jersey in 1997 (team managed by this year's co-ordinator, Joe Boyd) and the bronze won by the ladies in Gotland in 1999 (team of Julie Heselton, Cath Preston, Dee Lewis and Hayley Mylchreest and managed byJudy Jeavons).

Aland, Gotland, Jersey and Guernsey are expected to be amongst the favourites to challenge the home teams for the title this year.

The format for each event (team and individual) is strokeplay with golfers completing one round on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Games week. The best three scores of the 4 players will be added together for the team event, the worst score being dropped each day.

The Island is lucky to have one qualified golf referee but we expect to bring another over from England for the event. Volunteers to assist with the events will be coming from Manx golf clubs.

Timetable:

Sunday July 8th Practice at Castletown for Ladies and Men to be followed by a buffet
Monday July 9th Practice at Mount Murray (Men) and Peel (Ladies)
Tuesday July 10th Round 1 at Mount Murray (Men) and Peel (Ladies)
Wednesday July 11th Round 2 at Castletown (Men followed by Ladies)
Thursday July 12th Round 3 at Mount Murray (Men) and Peel (Ladies)
Friday July 13th Final Round at Castletown (Men followed by Ladies)
Prize presentations.  

 Joe looks forward to welcoming all the NatWest Island Games competitors to the Isle of Man and to what will be an excellent competition.

Golf Co-ordinator:
Joe Boyd