Australia
Ireland's Ian Farrelly was a runaway winner of the inaugural Australian Pitch and Putt Open in Canberra. The Duleek, Co. Meath clubman posted a 72 hole aggregate of 184, that's 32 under par, for an eight shot winning margin over fellow Irishman Alan Hanlon (Collinstown). Farrelly carded opening rounds of 45 and 46 to lead by five at the halfway stage. He was six clear after a third round 45 and a closing 48 saw him cruise home.
Equally comprehensive was the victory of Irish player Liz Quinn in the Ladies Australian Open. The Collinstown member led from gun to tape and her cause was helped in no small measure by a phenomenal second round 46. Liz's four round nine under par tally of 207 was nine better than Dutch runner-up Esther Newsum.
2005 San Marino Open winner and current champion at the International Open of La Grande Motte, Ian Farrelly of Duleek shot 96 as one the Meath team that finished runners-up in Division A of the Inter-County championship at McDonagh in 2000. He was Meath Matchplay champion in 2001.Ian was the winner of the P.P.U.I. National Mixed Foursomes in 2003 at Stackallen in partnership with Catherine McCreevy. He played on the Meath team, winners of the Inter-County Division A at Seapoint in 2002. A quarterfinalist in this year's Irish Matchplay championship, Ian also figured on the Meath squad that was second to in the 2006 Inter-County championship
Liz Quinn came closest to achieving the Australian Triple crown. Winner of the Australian Matchplay and the Australian Open, the first and third legs of the Crown, Liz finished fourth behind Sandra Hutchison at the middle leg - the Australian Night Championship. Still, the Irish ranked No. 13 lady will take much encouragement and confidence from this success and is sure to be an even stronger force in the Irish game in the years ahead. Liz's Collinstown clubmate Alan Hanlon came closest to achieving the male Triple Crown. Alan won the Australian Men's Night Championship and finished runner-up in each of the other two legs, cementing his place as Pitch and Putt's top player in international events.