ON the FAIRWAYS
ROSSLARE
The first round of the winter league has now been completed in Rosslare with only six points between the first four teams. A total of 17 teams competed.
Results: Ian Lynch, Colm Waldron, Carol O’Brien, Jim Anglim, Norrie Goff and Rich Howlin, 87 points; John Barron, Ger Doyle, Marie Farrell, Eamonn Mullan, Kevin O’Rourke and Declan Curran, 81.5 points; Ken Maher, Alan Cuddihy, Tom Rowe, Ken Martin, Carmel Lonergan and Martin Buggy, 81 points; Mick O’Connor, Syl Farrell, Eleanor O’Connor, Vincent Morris, Ann Kelly and Pat Wright, 81 points.
February 5, 14 holes single stableford (lambs): 1, Martin Buggy (18), 39 points; 2, Bobby O’Dowd (20), 39 points; 3, J.P. Cullen (12), 39 points; 4, Hugh Byrne (15), 38 points; 5, Jim Hennessy (18), 37 points; 6, Liam Hayes (22), 37 points.
Fourball stableford 14 holes (lambs): 1, Tom Connon (21), Declan Curran (27), 41 points; 2, Liam McNamara (4), Paul Boggan (11), 40 points.
WEXFORDLADIES
It was a quiet week for the ladies on the fairways, as no competitions were held on Saturday or Monday.
Fifty ladies played in the cold and wind on Thursday, February 9, in a 14-hole singles stableford competition.
Results: 1, Tara Dunne (3), 27 points (back seven); 2, Louise Boshoff (16), 27 points; 3, Geraldine Mackey (11), 25 points (back seven); 4, Eileen Burke-O’Keeffe (22), 25 points (back two). Nearest the pin was Louise Boshoff with 4m 90cm. Triathlon night is fast approaching (Thursday, February 23), so I hope all participating are practising their darts and pool.
One of our own, Breda Devoy, enjoyed better weather lately when she attended the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi last month, where she met the current Masters Champion Danny Willett.
ROSSLARELADIES
Last Tuesday was crazy golf or should I say the three clubs and a putter competition. A total of 47 ladies played 14 holes over a mixture of normal and winter greens.
The crazy thing was, that the top scores were as good as if the players had played with all the other ten clubs they had left at home. We would like to welcome the winner, Margie O’Connor, who has just joined the club and congratulations on coming first with 30 points.
Hopefully many more wins will follow with a full set of clubs and many enjoyable years of golf to come.
We are now halfway through the winter league and once again the club dignitaries are in the lead: Carol O’Brien, Hon. Secretary and Norrie Goff, lady Vice-Captain (and their men folk - team of six) are in pole position.
Tightly bunched together following them are the teams featuring Karen O’Keeffe and Máire Farrell, Joan Bowe and Carmel Lonergan, and Ann Kelly and Eleanor O’Connor.
Our club professional, Jamie, says it’s still all to play for as we move from singles competitions to fourball competitions over the next two weeks and then the final: a scramble.
I hope so as I find my team (no help from me) in bottom position, but we did go out on Saturday in one degree and fierce winds to complete the round, as others headed in early; anything to get a few extra points and off that bottom perch!
Tuesday, February 21, is a fourball competition over 14 holes.
Saturday, February 4, fourball, 14 holes: 1, Mary O’Shaughnessy (15/11 – 3) and Trish Devereux (22/15 – 1), 35 points (back seven).
Tuesday, February 7, three clubs and a putter, 14 holes: 1, Margie O’Connor (18/14), 30 points; 2, Eileen Jackson (30/23), 29 points; 3, Mary F. Quigley (23/18), 28 points; 4, Jane O’Shea (21/16 – 2 = 14), 28 points; 5, Doreen McGovern (12/9 –2 = 7), 28 points (back four).
WEXFORD
Wednesday’s fourball was won by Martin Frehill (19) and John Lacey (16) with 36 points on the back seven from Terry Lyons (12) and Christy O’Gorman (10) with 36 points on the back four.
The Friday open team event winners were Seamus Byrne (28), Seamus Sills (25) and Brendan Long (20) with 62 points.
Saturday’s fourball was won by Jim Turner (6) and Andrew Rynhart (18) with 38 points from Lar Rossiter (13) and Pat Moorehouse (19) with 36 points.
Sunday’s fourball was won by Jason Kehoe (15) and Nicky Cullen (20) with 36 points from Paul Kelly (15) and Ray Cullinane (10) with 33 points (back seven).
The members’ draw took place on Saturday night with Margaret Hearne winning the free sub first prize. Tom McLoughlin won the six months’ membership in Whitford leisure club and Jim Roche won €100 bar credit.
Thank you to all who supported the draw. For details of the next draw see the club noticeboard, website or Facebook.
Congratulations to Martina Dempsey who won €50 in the last Joker draw. If you are not in you cannot win, with entry only €2.
ST. HELEN’S
With rounds nine and ten of the winter league completed at the weekend, the scene is set for the play-offs. Final qualifiers one and two take place next weekend, featuring teams Colbert, Mallin, Clarke, Heuston and Connolly.
The leading qualifier after ten rounds is team Pearse, who advance straight to the grand final on Saturday, March 4.
Saturday, February 11, winter league round nine: 1, Noel D’Orey (10), 23 points (countback); 2, Eric Byrne (8), 23 points (countback); 3, Jim Brauneisen (10), 23 points.
Sunday, February 12, winter league round ten: 1, John Sinnott (4), 23 points; 2, ‘Buzzer’ O’Brien (6), 22 points (countback); 3, Pádraig Tiernan (8), 22 points (countback).
Fixtures: Wednesday, February 15, Wednesday club; Saturday, February 18, winter league finals qualifier one and two; Sunday, February 19, open singles stableford; Wednesday, February 22, Wednesday club; Saturday, February 25, winter league finals qualifier three.
NEWROSSSENIORS
A bitterly cold day with a chilling south-easterly wind of near gale force, but dry underfoot conditions and dry overhead too: this was the scene for our weekly outing on Thursday.
It was time to wrap up in the winter woollies, but thankfully there was no need for raingear unlike the previous week when the rain came bucketing down.
The social side of golf is a marvellous thing. When one gets to the veteran stage it’s probably three-quarters of what the game is all about anyway. We’ll always be able to talk about the shot that got away or the long putt we sank on the last hole.
Likewise, how we turned after nine holes and whether the team was still in with a shout of collecting a prize. Then on the 19th (the cosy confines of the clubhouse) we can debate how we played, but bad or good we’ll be back next week and thankful that we can still play 18 holes.
Last Thursday, with the bunkers out of play and placing still in operation, there was the chance of good scores being carded. But as usual, there was the joker or jokers in the pack when Tommy Ryan (15), Jim ‘Ross’ Ryan (18), Jamesie Wallace (23) and Tony Sexton (24) won in a common canter with a terrific score of 97 points.
Second on 91 points were Tony Harford (12), Steve Travis (18), Larry Shannon (18) and Aidan O’Connor (19). The 87 points garnered by Patsy Farrell (14), Billy Redmond (19), Tom O’Neill (19) and Dan Quigley (20) proved good enough to claim third prize.
Prior to the commencement of our game, we observed a minute’s silence in memory of Noel Kehoe, our Seniors colleague for a long number of years and a member of New Ross Golf Club for over half a century. Noel, who died suddenly, was laid to rest in Rathgarogue cemetery on Tuesday. To his wife, Nora, and the extended Kehoe family, the Seniors extend their deepest sympathy on their great loss.
Our away outings for 2017 have now been confirmed and we start with a visit to Gowran Park on March 27. Also pencilled in are visits to Bunclody, Coollattin, Waterford Castle, Faithlegg and Dungarvan.
Full fixture lists are available, and you can pick up one next Thursday which includes the Autumn Seniors Alliance outings to other courses.
ABBEYLADIES’SOCIETY
Abbey ladies’ golf season begins on Saturday, February 25, at 10 a.m. in the Abbey. New members are also welcome for a social game every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If interested, ring Frank on 086-6084257, Isobel on 087-9325378, or any member.
NEWROSSLADIES
February 8, 14-hole stableford, Mexican scramble: 1, L. Bennett (9), Mgt. Furlong (16), T. Foley (19), 4.4 = 56.6 nett; 2, M. Kavanagh (8), M. Burford (12), A. Banville (24), 4.4 = 56.6 nett; 3, A. Curtis (20), T. Ryan (22), E. Wallace (28), 7 = 57 nett.
The winter league continues with the third round starting February 16. Don’t forget to put the round number on your card. The Bloody Marys have a good head start so there is some work to be done if they are going to be caught.
Maybe you would like to sharpen up the short game or put a bit more zip into the drives? Why not team up with a few girls and organise a group lesson? Paul and James are ready and waiting, with good value in lessons on offer in the Pro Shop.
Bridge for any takers is at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the clubhouse. All are welcome.
The nine-hole competition continues. Play as often as you like, and don’t forget to enter in the book.
If you have any friend or acquaintance that might like to try golf before committing, then ‘Get Into Golf’ might be the answer. Give names and mobile number to any committee member so that we can include on the lists and plans for the scheme.
Wednesday, February 15, is a 14-hole stableford. Book online or draws at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Remember, the Captains’ drive-in is on March 4. Friday, February 17, get your team ready for the club table quiz league. It promises to be good fun, and if we have a crowd it will be.
Don’t worry if you know nothing about films and pop music; I bet you’ll know all the G.A.A. questions! It’s €20 each but that’s for the whole competition. Support your club by coming along.
BUNCLODY
January 25 to February 4, ladies’ weekly: 1, Joanne Kenny (14), 18 points; 2, Ann Steemers (25), 15 points.
February 4 and 5, men’s singles: 1, Adrian Dunne (8), 27 points; 2, Mick O’Brien (16), 26 points; 3, Michael Kenny (14), 25 points.
COURTOWN
The weather turned in our favour again this past week and we were able to have a full week of golf.
And it is fingers crossed for the coming week as we look forward to the final round in the EBS/Colman Doyle-sponsored winter league.
As reported last week, it is very tight at the top of almost all groups so it is all to play for next Sunday.
The grand final is to be played on the following Sunday. All competitors are reminded to return a card following next week’s game as points will decide the final pairings.
Wednesday, February 8: 1, John Fitzgerald (10), 30 points (last three); 2, Brian Hughes (13), 30 points; 3, John Maher (13), 28 points; 4, Eamonn Byrne (15), 27 points (last nine).
Ladies’ and gents’ singles, February 11 and 12: 1, Tom Kitt (23), 36 points; 2, Pádraig Flood (18), 35 points; 3, Joe Keegan (5), 33 points; gross, Alan McDonald (2), 30 points; ladies, Caroline Hewitt (6), 30 points.
Tuesday, February 7, dawned dry at least, after an absolutely horrid day on Monday.
Our ladies were both surprised and delighted to hear that the course was open.
Off we went and despite the conditions some very respectable scores were returned.
Results: 1, Mairéad Sunderland (19), 23 points; 2, Mary Cooper (35), 22 points.
Running nine-hole competition for January: Cat. 1 (1-18), Marion Sinnott (18), 42 points; Cat. 2 (19-28), Mairéad Carty (20), 39 points; Cat. 3 (29-35), Helen Mundow (30), 38 points; Cat. 4 (36), Rita Mahoney (36), 39 points.
Well done to all the winners.
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole (back nine): 1, Dermot Noctor (18), 22 points; 2, Peter Byrne (21), 18 points; 3, Stephen Greene (19), 17 points.
Weekend singles stableford: 1, Ed Walsh (13), 40 points; 2, Kevin Byrne (21), 39 points; 3, Stephen Greene (19), 39 points.
Winter league postponed round five matches: Group 2, Brendan Whyte and Liam Redmond (substitute for Joe Breen) beat Paul Swinburne and Liam Morris; Group 3, Paul and Eugene O’Brien beat Paul Hayden and Philip Moore.
ENNISCORTHY
The grand final of the winter series featuring the top 30 competitors from the last few month’s heats will be on Sunday, February 19. Good luck to all the competitors.
The Captains’ drive-in will be on February 26. Competition format will be a nine-hole shotgun scramble teeing off at 12.30 p.m. after the official drive-in has taken place. Timesheets are now open for booking.