ON the FAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
In view of the heavy underfoot conditions, we went with the popular champagne scramble format last Thursday. Thankfully weather-wise we were treated to a dry, crisp November day with the rain holding off.
For quite some time now the 90-point barrier has remained intact with no team surpassing that magical figure. However, all that changed last Thursday as the first three teams home easily cleared that hurdle.
Putting together 96 points comprising 48 on the outward nine and another 48 on the homeward stretch, the quartet of Steve Travis (18), Willie Whitty (18), John Fitzpatrick (19) and Larry Shannon (20) emerged as clear winners.
Taking second place on 94 points were Andy Ronan (14), Eamon Delaney (16), Billy Redmond (21) and Tom Furlong (25). Third place went to Hughie O’Connor (18), Tom O’Neill (18), John Joe Murray (18) and Richie Byrne (21) with 92 points.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Wednesday, November 9: 1, Anne O’Grady (32), 27 points (last three); 2, Anne Curtis Adm. (20), 27 points; 3, Elsie Redmond (25), 26 points (last three); 4, Eileen Wallace (29), 26 points.
Upcoming competitions: Wednesday, November 16, 23 and 30, 14-hole stableford (club).
PAULINE’S SOCIETY
Our most recent outing to Mountain View golf course was a great success with a big turn-out, and amazing scores being returned.
On a fast-running course and perfect greens, the scores reflected the conditions, with the first three players returning in excess of 42 points.
Taking first place was Brendan Byrne with a score in the high forties, followed closely in second by Joe Malone, and in third place was Liam Connolly.
Only one nearest to the pin was recorded on the ninth, by M. O’Neill, and no player landed on the 13th. Well done to all concerned.
Next Saturday, November 19, the venue for our Christmas outing which has been brought forward to ensure that we get it completed before the weather worsens is Castlecomer Golf Club.
This competition will be played as a scramble format of three-man teams. Players intending to travel should have their names put on the noticeboard in Pauline’s before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15. As usual, visitors are welcome to join in and play.
64 SOCIETY
The 64 Golf Society outing to Coolattin was held on Saturday, November 12. A total of 29 members played on a beautiful day for golf.
The course was in very good condition for the time of year and all the members enjoyed the day.
Results: 1, Brendan Travers (10), 38 points; 2, Jerry O’Riordan (25), 37 points; 3, Jim French (16), 37 points - 1; gross, Colin Sunderland (7), 27 points; 4, Niall Nolan (16), 35 points; first nine, Paddy O’Dowd (10), 20 points; second nine, Mick Carty (15), 19 points.
Following the outing at our presentation in the 64 (Nel Sweeney’s), the Captain, Noel McCartan, thanked all those who played and in particular all those who helped to make the day such a success.
After two outings Jim French is leading the golfer of the year. Our next outing will be our Christmas outing at Courtown on Saturday, December 10. All members will be informed in the usual manner.
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole competition: 1, John Redmond (19), 23 point; 2, Thomas Keogh (20), 20 points; 3, Peter Byrne (21), 19 points.
Weekend singles stableford (non-qualifier): 1, Richard Temple (16), 41 points; 2, Robbie Kehoe (12), 41 points; 3, Charlie Logan (12), 41 points.
The second round of the winter league will be on next Sunday.
COURTOWN
Tuesday, November 8, ladies’ singles competition: 1, Mary Cooper (35), 22 points.
Congratulations to Mary who had a hole-in-one on the 18th.
Men’s singles sweep, Wednesday, November 9: 1, Pat Kenny (13), 33 points; 2, Michael Henderson (23), 31 points; 3, Seamus Kennelly (8), 29 points (last nine); 4, Michael Wall (25), 29 points (last nine).
Ladies’ and gents’ singles hamper, Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 - gents: 1, Tony Stephens (27), 32 points (last three); 2, Brendan Fagan (18), 32 points; 3, Malachy Hayes (10), 31 points (last nine); gross, Colm Breen (2), 25 points (last nine).
Ladies: 1, Mairéad Carty (20), 30 points; 2, Catherine Quinn (17), 28 points; 3, Mairéad Sunderland (20), 26 points.
Weekly turkey: Cat. 1, Jim Dixon (7), 21 points; Cat. 2, Michael Henderson (23), 21 points.
BUNCLODY
November 9, Wednesday open singles: 1, Ray Mullen (5), 38 points; 2, Graham Porter (17), 36 points; 3, James Bodels (12), 34 points.
ENNISCORTHY
Last Sunday saw the Captain’s end-of-season party to bring the golfing year to a close preceded by a nine-hole round of golf for all committee members and helpers, and dinner afterwards.
The winners were Nick Casey, Mick Dillon, Denis Dunne and Tim Morrissey (28.1). Second were Jim Hogan, Tom Kirwan, Pat Mulvey and Jack Murphy (29.55), and third with only three on the team were Joy Conville, John Conville and Tom Furlong (29.65).
Our newest addition to the calendar is now complete. The inaugural E.G.C. inter-society competition was held over the last two weekends where four society members took part in both a singles and a team competition to establish who is the best.
Results (127 players took part): 1, The Anvil G.S. from Ballymurn (110 points); 2, Eire Og G.F.C. G.S. from Carlow (108 points); 3, Pauline’s G.S. from Irishtown, New Ross (107 points); 4, Taghmon G.S. (105 points); 5, The El Amigoes G.S. from Bray (101 points).
In the singles competition one man stood tallest of all with a clear two-point win. Congratulations to my old friend Seamus McLoughlin (Taghmon G.S.) with a magnificent 41 points from the first day’s play.
Snapping at his heels and all from the second day’s play were: 2, Michael Murphy (St. Senan’s G.S.), 39 points (back nine); 3, Brian O’Connor (The Anvil G.S.), 39 points (back nine); 4, Liam Connolly (Pauline’s G.S.), 39 points (back nine); 5, Dan Galavan (John A’s G.S.), 38 points (back nine).
Ladies: 1, Catherine Morrissey (Horse and Hound ladies), 35 points; 2, Mary Finn (Horse and Hound ladies), 32 points; 3, Susan Kelly (Wexford Local Authority G.S.), 27 points.
It is PGA winter series time again. The first five after the second round are Keith Whelan (61), Frankie Morrissey (60), Philip Browne (60), Dan Byrne (58) and Seán Hegarty (54).
Winners for the last round were: 1, Ted Morrissey Jnr., 30 points (back seven); 2, David Bradley, 30 points; gross, Frankie Morrissey, 22 points.
The next competition is on November 19 and 20, and the booking sheets are open.
The positions of incoming Vice-Captain and Vice-President were announced last week and next year’s incumbents are Tim Morrissey and Pat Mulvey respectively.
The Monday ladies’ and gents’ open singles, stableford, November 7, sponsored by E.G.C. (21 played): 1, Jimmy Delaney (Roganstown, 9), 38 points; 2, Ted Mangan (Wexford, 16), 35 points (back nine).
Gents’ open Seniors November 10: overall winner, Philip Browne (12), 37 points; Over-50s: 1, Martin Conroy (18), 29 points; 2, Stephen Casey (20), 28 points; Over-60s: 1, Tony Hutchinson (16), 32 points (back nine); 2, Tony Moulton (17), 32 points (back nine); Over-70s: 1, Tom Conway (21), 33 points; 2, Pat Mulvey (17), 31 points (back nine); Over-80s: 1, Liam Swan (27), 34 points; 2, Michael Doyle (16), 31 points.
ROSSLARE
November 5, fourball stableford competition, 16 holes (56 played): 1, Robin Gardiner (17), Tom McGrath (17), 35 points; 2, Kevin Foran (14), John Barron (8), 34 points.
November 6, turkey competition, full handicaps over 16 holes (84 played): 1, Bobby O’Dowd (20), Rich Howlin (19), Martin Buggy (18), 55 points; 2, Stephen Conway (19), Paul Cummings (17), John Murphy (15), 50 points; 3, Declan Burns (8), J.P. Cullen (12), Eoin Hutchinson (14), 48 points.
WEXFORDLADIES
Our ladies’ section recently welcomed golfers from nine visiting clubs to play in our first annual Solheim Cup open competition. The competition was sponsored by The Silver Fox Seafood Restaurant in Kilmore Quay.
Results: 1, Jane Duignan (28), Leonie Furlong (13), Cathríona Walsh (14), Marie O’Loughlin (26), 107 points; 2, Maria Burford (13), Margaret Furlong (16), Margaret Atkinson (10), Theresa Kehoe (15), 97 points; 3, Anna Sullivan (21), Deirdre Greer (30), Irene Bolger (11), Trina Walsh (17), 92 points; nine holes, Noreen Power (17), 17 points.
Monday, October 3, Senior competition: 1, Madge Murphy (22), 27 points; 2, Richella MacCarvill (12), 25 points; 3, Anna Sullivan (21), 24 points (back seven).
Thursday, October 6, 18-hole singles stableford sponsored by The Forge: 1, Tara Dunne (4), 37 points; 2, Mary Cashe (29), 36 points; gross, Irene Bolger (11), 23 points (back six); 3, Madge Murphy (22), 35 points; Senior, Phil Flood (28), 32 points; nine holes, Maureen Rossiter (12), 20 points; nearest the pin, Richella MacCarvill, 15 ft 7 inches.
Tara continued to ‘Forge’ ahead again with a magnificent score of 40 points playing off 4 in the competition sponsored by La Cote Restaurant! Well done Tara.
Results: 1, Tara Dunne (4), 40 points; 2, Jane Duignan (28), 39 points; gross, Ruth Kennedy (5), 27 points; 3, Cathríona Walsh (14), 36 points; Senior, Maisie Purcell (15), 32 points; nine holes, Annie Murphy (17), 18 points.
Our end-of-year presentations were held recently. The Irene Dowdall golfer of the year was presented by the Dowdall family to a very worthy winner, Carmel Murphy.
John Devereux presented the J.J. Devereux perpetual cup for club matchplay to winner Elaine Mullen. Runner-up was Louise Boshoff, and semi-finalists Rachel O’Connor and Sheila Richardson.
Winners of the birdie tree: Category A, Helen Lacey, 22 birdies; Category B, Deirdre Colfer, seven birdies; Category C, Mary Cashe, four birdies.
May I say Helen will be tweeting her way up the aisle shortly!
Winners of the spoon/medals: silver spoon, Trina Walsh; silver medal:, Carmel Murphy; bronze medal, Mary Fallon.
Finally, our new lady Vice Captain for 2017, Patricia Hanton, was introduced and she gave the first of her many speeches for the future.
We wish Irene Bolger a speedy recovery from her recent operation, and hopefully she will be back better than ever in a few months.
ST. HELEN’SLADIES
Wednesday, October 26, open singles: 1, Paula O’Leary (13), 32 points; 2, Jo Devitt (23), 31 points; 3, Eileen Brosnan (14), 28 points.
Sunday, October 30, open singles stableford: 1, Dolores Hodgins (30), 33 points; 2, Bernadette Tully (30), 31 points; 3, Joanne Hare (13), 30 points.
Wednesday, November 2, winter league: 1, Jo Devitt (23), 22 points; 2, Eileen Brosnan (14), 21 points; 3, Frances Reid (21), 20 points.
Saturday, November 5, winter league: 1, Cathy Dalton (20), 29 points; 2, Bernadette Tully (18), 23 points; 3, Nora Kavanagh (9), 21 points.
Sunday, November 6, turkeys: 1, Eileen Walsh (26), 25 points; 2, Georgina Darling (18), 25 points; 3, Nora Kavanagh (13), 24 points.
Wednesday, November 9, winter league: 1, Frances Reid (21), 24 points; 2, Margie O’Connor (18), 22 points; 3, Paula O’Leary (13), 22 points.
ROSSLARELADIES
There was no competition on Tuesday due to rain. Good news: we won’t be using mats on the course until January 1 as the course is in such good condition. So ladies, please keep filling any divots with your sand bags.
Tuesday, November 22, is a ladies’ singles stableford competition (14 holes).
Saturday, November 5, ladies’ fourball: 1, Susan Evans (13/10) and Val Mernagh (15/12), 32 points.
WEXFORD
A reminder to all club members that the A.G.M. takes place in the clubhouse on Monday, November 28, at 7.30 p.m.
The Christmas party takes place in the clubhouse on Friday, December 16, and the arrival of Santa at the clubhouse takes place on Sunday, December 18, all very important dates for the calendar.
An inter-denominational service for all deceased members will take place in the clubhouse on Thursday, November 24, at 8 p.m.
Last week’s good weather saw competitions take place on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday’s open fourball was won by Captain Paddy Cleary and Pat Geoghegan with 38 points. It was great to see Paddy back on the fairways after his recent lay-off, and he played very well on the last three holes.
Friday’s three-person team event (waltz) was won by Seán O’Keeffe, Martin Frehill and Seamus Byrne with 65 points.
Saturday’s competition was a 14-hole fourball and was played in almost summer-like conditions. The winners were Andrew Rynhart and Peter Mythen with an exceptional score of 39 points for the 14 holes. In second place on a great score of 37 points were Paul Lauhoff and Jim Turner.
Congratulations to Brian O’Neill who was the most recent winner of Split The Pot.
ST. HELEN’S
The gents’ A.G.M. was held on Saturday, November 12, in the clubhouse. Outgoing Captain John O’Keeffe delivered his report on a challenging but hugely rewarding 2016.
He thanked all who helped in any way during the year and welcomed the incoming officers and committee, wishing them well for the year ahead.
Officers and committee 2017: Captain, Mick Conlan; Vice-Captain, Terry O’Toole; Hon. Secretary, Pádraig Tiernan; Ex-Officio, John O’Keeffe; Competition Secretary and P.R.O., Gerry Byrne; Handicap Secretary, Paddy Dunne; Committee: Nick Hayes, Ciarán Murphy, Tommy Duggan.
Wednesday, November 9, Wednesday club: 1, Michael Vaughan (22), 32 points; 2, Paul Lattimore (22), 27 points; 3, Tony Dorazil (22), 27 points.
Saturday, November 12, winter league round two: 1, Declan Murphy (11/7), 28 points (countback); 2, Nick McBride (14/9), 28 points; 3, Pádraig Tiernan (13/8), 27 points.
Sunday, November 13, Christmas hams: 1, Mark O’Donoghue (15/13), 37 points; 2, Pádraig Bail (15/13), 35 points; 3, Tommy Duggan (14/12), 34 points (countback).
Fixtures: Wednesday, November 16, Wednesday club; Saturday, November 19, winter league round three; Sunday, November 20, winter league round four; Wednesday, November 23, Wednesday club.