ON the FAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
The timing was spot-on when after the torrential rains of Tuesday and Wednesday last week we had a beautiful sunny day on Thursday for our last outing of the year. We were only finished when that predicted heavy rain again swept in from the south-west but at that stage all players were nice and cosy in the clubhouse.
It is a tribute to Seamus Power and the course staff that the course was in a remarkably dry condition after the battering it endured over the last couple of days. There are not too many courses in the South East which would be playable and reasonably dry in the middle of winter.
From the motion passed at AGM where we play a champagne scramble and an ordinary Stableford competition each alternate week, this time it was the turn of the latter format.
Here, the team of Patsy Farrell (14), Eamon Delaney (16), Martin Forristal (20) and Billy Redmond (21) were declared winners with a great score of 91 points. There was a tie for second place, two teams scoring 89 points, but by virtue of a better last six holes (31/30) John Kennedy (16), Johnny Watson (16) and John Joe Cullen edged the verdict to secure second place. Third were Tony Harford (12), Willie Kelly (19), Liam Glasheen (20) and Kenny Irwin (21). Nearest the pin prizes went to John F Roche on the 9th Hole and Willie Byrne on the 11th. On the draw board for January are Martin Forristal and Liam Glasheen.
Some time ago two intruders vandalised the memorial clock going out the gate to the first tee. Well done to Willie Kelly who made and replaced the hands and installed them back on the clock last Thursday. Club captain and our colleague, Peter Goggin, thanked Willie for his efforts and said he’d have no trouble getting a job with Rolex Watches whose clocks are to be seen at all major golf competitions.
We adjourn now until Thursday January the 5th 2017 and we all can look back on a great year’s golf in the year gone by with visits to many courses of outstanding quality. The highlight of the group’s 20th birthday was undoubtedly our two trips to Ballykisteen in Co Tipperary where we were treated like VIP’s on both occasions.
The Club Classic (Two Person Champagne Scramble) is now in full swing and anyone interested in playing next Thursday should book on line immediately as spaces for that day are limited. The Classic will run up to and including Monday the 2nd of January and your kind support would be very much appreciated.
In the meantime a sincere thank you to all local and national media for the excellent coverage they gave to all the senior’s activities throughout 2016-it was very much appreciated. A Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Bright 2017 wish go to them and to all our colleagues both in our home club and those of other clubs whom we visited in last year.
COUR TOWN GOLF CLUB
Tuesday, December 13, and the playing year is coming to a wet end. We are currently only playing 9 holes due to unfavourable golfing weather and conditions.
The overnight rain left the course very wet underfoot. This little fact did not deter our winners who came in with very respectable scores despite the afore mentioned conditions.
1st: Catherine Quinn (17) with 19 points; 2nd: Mairead Sunderland (20) with 18 points. Congratulations to our winners. Tuesday, December 20 brought the official end presentation of prizes for the ladies club. The presentation of all outstanding prizes began at 5.30pm.
The ladies committee would like to wish all our sponsors, our members, their families and friends a really Happy Christmas, good health and happiness for the New Year.
ROSSLARE LADIES
On Tuesday we had a good turnout of 43 ladies considering the weather and proximity to Christmas. Well done to Ann Connolly who came 1st. She was well ahead of everyone else getting a fabulous 30 points over 12 holes.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Ladies Golf results and news from Tuesday, December 13 – Ladies Singles 12 Hole Turkey Comp - 1st: Ann Connolly (36/24) 30 points; 2nd: Catherine Haugh (22/15-2) 24 points (B6); 3rd: Bernie Riorda (29/19) 24 points (B6); 4th: Ann Kelly (17/11-2) 24 points (B3); 5th: Joan Bowe (12/8) 24 points.
Saturday, December 10 – 12 Hole Ladies Fourball - 1st: Cathy Atkinson (11/8) and Rosemary Spelman (25/18) 34 points; 2nd: Máire Farrell (18/12) and Karen O’Keeffe (26/18) 32 points (B4).
Unfortunately the bad weather put paid to golf last Wednesday, however, spirits were far from damp at the ladies’ Christmas party!
Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed and the carol singing, lead by Maeve Wilson, continued the festive theme.
The Twelve Days of Christmas got everyone involved and some were more competitive than others! There will not be any Wednesday competition golf now for a few weeks, however the Christmas Classic is up and running over the Christmas break and all members are asked to support this. The Winter League will commence in the new year so be sure to get your name down - the sheet is up in the locker room.
WEXFORD LADIES
There was no Senior competition held on Monday, December 12.
21 women played on Thursday, December 15, in a 3 Person Champagne Scramble. The winning team with a score of 61 was Eileen Burke O’Keeffe (22), Pat Flanagan (29) and Von White (36).
The nearest the pin winner was Maggie Hearn, 1m 49cm. Congratulations to the winners.
BUNCLODY
December 11 to 17 - Ladies 12 Hole (re-entry) Weekly Christmas Hamper Competition - 1st: Joanne Kenny (14) 20 points (1 pen); 2nd: Fran Crean (24) 18 points; 3rd: Ann Cowman (29) 17 points (3 pen).
Congratulations to the following ladies for their achievements throughout the year of 2016 Lady Golfer of the Year 2016 - Linda Byrne Lady Matchplayer of the Year 2015 - Ethel Deacon Gold Medal Winner - Margaret Moore
ENNISCORTHY MEN
Upcoming events - Our Monday ladies and gents open singles is still going strong attracting participants from near and far. Entry fee is €5 for members and €10 for visitors. Open to all membership categories.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in this competition then please bring them along. Where else would you get such great golfing facilities for €10?
The competition will be taking a break over the festive period and starts again on January 9 and the booking sheets will open January 1.
There is a packed schedule on the course over the Christmas period with competitions on every day from St. Stephen’s Day through to January 2 except December 31.
Booking sheets opened on December 14 for almost all these competitions. Book a game or three and bring along some friends, family and/or visitors and support your club. Walk off the excesses of the festive period.
Two of the club A.G.M.s will be held on January 8: Men’s golf is at 2.15pm and the club A.G.M. is at 3pm. Anybody who wants to propose a motion needs to have sent it to the Hon. Sec. at least a fortnight prior to the meeting itself.
General news - The last Gents Open Seniors of the year was on recently and was followed by Christmas dinner in the restaurant and was sponsored by Morgan Dunne and Councillor Paddy Kavanagh. Get well soon to Paddy from all at the club.
This was a nine hole shotgun start at noon. 84 players participated and we even managed to find a break in the weather to play the game.
The results were 1st: Incoming Captain Jack Murphy (9) 21 points L6; 2nd: Gerry McMahon (24) 21 points L6; 3rd: Nick Power (16) 20 points L2; 4th: Seamus Doyle (10) 20 points L2; 5th: Incoming Vice Captain Tim Morrissey (14) 20 points L2; 6th: Sean O’Leary (21) 20 points L2 and 7th: Eoin Mullarkey (12) 19 points L6.
After the dinner and several speeches led by Chairman Morgan Dunne and followed by Captain Liam Dunbar and past captain, Seamus Doyle, lamenting back to when the seniors competition started in 2000 but claiming that it was all Morgans’ drive and insistence that got it going. Vice Captain Jack Murphy was M.C. for the night.
There were a few dozen bottles for pick out prizes from handed in scorecards if you were present in the room so nearly everyone got a prize of some sort.
The draw for the free range turkeys took place after the speeches and the members have to be complimented for their generosity in supporting this club venture and the help received in selling the lines. Approximately €530 was raised so a big thank you to all concerned.
The winners were Tom Conway, Sean O’Leary and Pat Webster and I heard that they all gave away their prizes to others. Ovens not big enough lads?
The children’s Christmas Party was on last Sunday and Santa found time to make an appearance to talk to the children and give them a taster of the presents to come. Music and food were laid on for all present.
There is an ongoing problem with the telephone system which will soon be sorted out. For status of the course please dial 087 969 5726. For everything else ring either 053 92 37777 or 053 92 34519.
This is a temporary measure until new telephone system is installed.
The Brittle Bones society played last Monday week. Coming in in the last group, the best is always left to last, with an incredible score of 52.5 points the winners were Tom Furlong, Malo Roban and John O’Sullivan.
Until January 31 the following bar and catering hours will be in effect. Bar:- Mon. 10:00 – 18:00; Tues. 10:00 – 23:00; Wed. 10:00 – 18:00; Thurs. 10:00 – 18:00; Fri. 10:00 – 23:00; Sat. 10:00 – 19:00; Sun. 10:00 – 19:00. Catering: Mon. to Fri. 10:00 – 18:00; Sat. 10:00 – 19:00; Sun. 12:00 – 19:00.
Last orders for catering will be one hour before listed closing time. The listed opening hours for both bar and catering are subject to review by the Management Committee.
To facilitate pre-booked functions the listed opening hours may be extended. In the event of the course being closed due to inclement weather the listed bar hours may be curtailed at short notice.
Winter is setting in and along come the rules to go with it. To protect the course you must place your ball on the fairways within a 6 inch semi circle behind the ball and take a drop in the rough. Some of the temporary tee boxes are now in use as well. The course sanding has now been postponed until the spring of 2017.
Our Brooklyn Restaurant is doing great business of late and the testimony is in the numbers of patrons. Excellent fare is on offer with great value quality meals available all day long.
Rave reviews have been coming in about the quality and value of the food on offer in recent months. The restaurant is open to everybody and not just for members.
There are guided bus tours around the county based on the locations used in the Brooklyn film starting in Enniscorthy town, heading out to locations used in the film and ending up in the Golf Club for refreshments.
Check out the heritage tours on www.heritagetourswexford.ie or ring Cathy on 087 329 9900 for further details.
The clubhouse function room can be hired for private functions, Christmas parties, christenings, communions, confirmation, birthdays, quizzes, weddings, conferences, retirements and funerals or any other function for that matter with bar facilities and catering available then just ring the office on 053 92 33191 (see note above regarding change of phone numbers) or bar manager Adrian on 083 300 4021.
WEXFORD GOLF CLUB
There was great excitement in the club recently when Santa arrived at the club.
Santa was playing a few holes of golf and he arrived in his golf buggy to the 18th green accompanied by his caddy and driver Brad (not Pitt).
However, the putting advice he got was not very good as poor Santa showed he was human after all by four putting the 18th.
This did not matter to the children and some adults present however as Santa came to the club house and distributed presents to the many children present assisted by his many helpers from the Ladies section. A big thank you to all concerned for a lovely enjoyable afternoon.
A reminder about our New Year’s night on the 31st when we will have music and finger food free of charge to welcome in the new year.
All members are invited to what should be a good night of fun and a great chance to catch up with old and present friends.
The Seniors section had 15 hole singles competition on Tuesday last and the winner was that recycled teenager who does not regard himself as a golden oldie one Seamus (not Tiger) Thomas with a score of 35 points.
In second place was the genial Con Pierce with 32 points and third was a golden oldie Paddy O’Reilly with 31 points. Other competition results for week were:
Sunday, December 10, 14 hole two person team event - 1st: Michael Fortune, 38 points (B.7), Sean Hurley; 2nd: Brendan Mac Carry 38 points (b.7), Jim Turner; 3rd: Enda Lambert 38 ptoins. (B.5), Liam Cunningham.
Saturday, December 17, 14 hole fourball - 1st: Mick Creane 35 points (b.7), Kevin Murphy.
A reminder that we still have special offers for intending Members for 2017 available up until December 31st. For details contact our office at Wexford Golf Club on 0539142238 or info@wexfordgolfclub.ie.
On behalf of the Captain and all at Wexford Golf Club we would like to wish all our sponsors, friends and supporters a very happy, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas.
STHELEN’S BAY
Results - Saturday, December 10, Christmas Goodies (9 holes) - 1st: Seamus McCormack (8) 22 points; 2nd: Gerry Byrne (8) 20 points.
Sunday, December 11, Christmas Goodies (9 holes) - 1st: Seamus Kelly (3) 22 points; 2nd: Mark O’Donoghue (8) 20 points (countback).
Fixtures - Saturday, December 31, Singles Stableford; Sunday, January 1, Singles Stableford; Wednesday, January 4, Wednesday Club; Saturday, January 7, Winter League Round 6.