ON the FAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
On a lovely spring day where at last players got rid of the raingear, conditions were perfect for our outing last Thursday. With hardly a puff of wind and the sun shining, some high scoring was expected.
That we got from two teams who put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. Of course, it was on the slick and fast greens that the game was won and lost with players bemoaning the putts that failed to drop.
Taking the honours with a superb score of 96 points in first place were Johnny Watson (16), Richie Aylward (18), P.J. McGrath (19) and Martin Hartley (22). Making it a tight finish, Hughie O’Connor (18), Noel Dunne (19), Dan Quigley (20) and Tom Furlong (25) were only a point behind with 95.
The third spot on 90 points was filled by Peter Goggin (16), Tony Redmond (18), Billy Redmond (19) and Tony Sexton (24)
Nearest the pin prize on the eleventh hole was won by Noel Dunne. With the huge numbers of players now taking part, please note that when you have paid your entry fee check to see that your name is on the draw board. That is your responsibility to make sure you are included on a team for the day’s play.
Our first away outing of the season is at Gowran Park on Monday, March 27, with the tee reserved from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. We will collect the entry fee of €20 which includes provision for extra prizes next Thursday, March 16, and the teams will be ready for viewing on Thursday, March 23.
Your full co-operation in this regard is requested in order to have a smooth running of our game in Gowran Park.
Don’t forget the St. Patrick’s night cabaret in the club featuring musicians, singers and other acts procured at enormous expense, giving enjoyment and a bit of fun for all. All are welcome to come along and enjoy the music and song and maybe wet the shamrock a little - it should be a great night.
NEW ROSS LADIES
March 8, 18-hole stableford sponsored by French’s Pharmacy, New Ross: 1, Tess Ryan (22), 37 points; 2, Mary Kavanagh (9), 34 points (last nine); 3, Mary Shannon (17), 34 points (last nine); Seniors, Carmel Delaney.
The March 15 18-hole stableford competition is sponsored for the first time by Creacon Lodge Wellness Centre, New Ross. Many thanks to the management at Creacon for your support and we look forward to a long association with you. Booking is online or the draws will be held at the usual times.
Ladies, there’s lots of golf available over St. Patrick’s weekend so we hope you will get a fourball together to compete on Friday, Saturday or Sunday in an open competition sponsored by The Carpet Gallery, New Ross. Book online.
We are looking forward to seeing you in the clubhouse for an evening of music and craic on St. Patrick’s Day as outlined in an e-mail sent out by the Captains, Peter and Marie Therese.
NEWROSS
Mixed weather was the story of the fourball competition last weekend. With 9/10ths of the players’ handicap in vogue, there was some excellent scoring nevertheless.
Declan Clark (18 reduced to 16) and Noel Kendrick (18 reduced to 16) took the honours with a great score of 48 points.
Second with 45 points were Larry Comerford (11 reduced to 10) and Joe Colclough (14 reduced to 13) who had a point to spare over the third-placed Paul Harrington (8 playing off 7) and Andy Lawlor (11 reduced to 10) with 44 points.
Donal Hosey, our competition Secretary, has quite rightly issued a stern warning to those who put their names on the timesheet for the weekend and then do not turn up. This is grossly unfair to those who would gladly avail of the spot if the cancellation was made before the 6 p.m. deadline on a Saturday. A proposed fine of €7 will shortly be put in place for such offenders.
This St. Patrick’s weekend is a team event sponsored by the Carpet Gallery to which the club extend their gratitude. All prize-winners should out of respect to our sponsors turn up for the presentations when they have figured in the prizes.
On St. Patrick’s night at 8 p.m., joint Captains Peter Goggin and Marie Therese Wall have assembled a wonderful group of artistes at enormous expense for the cabaret in the club to which all are welcome.
There will be music, song and dance and a lot more besides, providing a wonderful social evening to round off St. Patrick’s Day.
The next round of the table quiz takes place on Friday, March 23, and you can still put in a team for a mere €20.
BUNCLODY
March 4 and 5, men’s singles: 1, Ian Munnelly (17), 27 points; 2, Ger Bolger (13), 26 points; 3, Pat Moore (11), 26 points.
February 26 to March 4, ladies’ weekly: 1, Ann Cowman (28), 19 - 1 p.p. = 18 points.
Race to St. Patrick’s Day 2017, week four: 1, Ger Tobin (16), 29 points; 2, Graham Porter (17), 28 points; gross, Donal Byrne (4, Ballymoney), 24 points; 3, Ray Moore (16), 28 points.
COOLLATTIN
The golfing year was started off in great style at Coollattin on Sunday, March 5, with the annual Captains’ drive-in.
Our Captains this year are: men’s, Kevin Stapleton; lady, Caroline ‘Curly’ Browne; Juniors, Cormac Redmond and Molly McDermot.
The occasion was a great success. All four Captains arrived on board a fire engine with flashing lights and the emergency sirens blaring. However, there was no emergency.
The occasion was relaxed and friendly. It showed the true spirit of Coollattin Golf Club; that is, relaxed, friendly and a family feeling.
The weather was kind to the members for the day. The rain held off and while we have had much adverse weather in recent times, Coollattin does not suffer from the very wet conditions as much as some other courses. The greens in Coollattin are superb so all in all it made for a great day.
The Captains were led onto the 17th tee by a piper. There they performed the ceremony of toasting the incoming golfing year before the four Captains in turn hit their first ‘official’ drive of the year.
First up was Junior ladies’ Captain Molly McDermot. For anyone of any age or level of experience this would be a nerve-wracking task, however she showed the assembled crowd exactly how it should be done. With a stylish and graceful swing, she put the ball straight down the middle of the fairway.
Next up was Cormac Redmond who also happens to be a nephew of this year’s lady Captain, ‘Curly’. Cormac’s swing was reminiscent of some of the great golfers of old, the great Welsh golfer Ian Woosnam OBE, or the supreme Seve Ballesteros.
With Junior members like Molly and Cormac, golf at Coollattin is in safe hands for many years to come.
It must have been a daunting task for our two senior Captains to follow after Molly and Cormac, however they carried out their responsibilities with great aplomb.
Lady Captain Caroline ‘Curly’ Browne was first to drive off. She had to try to ignore some less than helpful advice offered by the ‘golfers on the ditch’, but she took it all in her stride and put the ball straight down the middle.
Unfortunately our men’s Captain, Kevin Stapleton, was a little forgetful and forgot to bring a golf ball to play with and a golf glove to wear. Luckily two very helpful grandchildren happened to have a ball and a glove so that they could get him out of trouble.
This was one of the touches that emphasised the friendly family feeling of Coollattin Golf Club. Despite forgetting the essential equipment, Kevin did not forget how to use it once he had it. With all four Captains’ drives taken, the golf year at Coollattin has officially started.
The club used the occasion also to officially launch a special offer for spouses and partners of existing members who can now join for the remainder of 2017 for €200. This is a great offer and is just the latest in a list of similar offers. It is well worth while to contact the club to find out what the latest offers are.
Anyone interested in playing golf at Coollattin or joining should contact the club at 05394-29125 or email coollattingolfclub@eircom.net.
For more information visit our website: www.coollattingolfclub.com.
COURTOWN
Tuesday, March 7, ladies’ 12-hole results: 1, Janice McDonald (3), 23 points; 2, Mary Cooper (35), 19 points; nine-hole results: 1, Maria Waddock (36).
Wednesday sweep, March 8: 1, George Horan (7), 29 points; 2, Danny Whitty (16), 28 points; 3, Joe Buttler (15), 27points (countback); 4, Tom Hardiman (15), 27 points.
The long-awaited Saturday, March 11, dawned in Courtown Golf Club and, contrary to the forecasts that had been avidly watched over the preceding days, it was more than a tad wet.
The wet gear has hauled out and donned in anticipation of a damp and mucky afternoon. Then, eureka, as the assembled crowd awaited the arrival of the Captains the rain thankfully blew over.
Captain John Fitzgerald and lady Captain Laura Funge arrived in an open top jeep to a rousing welcome. Together with Junior captains Adam Spencer and Muireann O’Connor, they proceeded to plant a tree before the official drive off.
Captains John and Laura were followed off the first tee by President George Kilbride and lady President Marcella Jones, with the lady President almost taking out the drone that was videoing the event. The Junior Captains then had their chance at the ceremonial drive off.
The crowd dispersed to the various tees and as the siren sounded a nine-hole competition began. There was a huge turn-out with two lines on almost all the tees to accommodate the crowd.
Following the game, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was hopping as our caterers Mossel Bay Catering provided a lovely meal for everybody.
The proceedings in the clubhouse began with the unveiling of a pennant won by the J.B. Carr team, the county champions in 2016. Captain John delivered a speech on behalf of himself and lady Captain Laura, where he thanked everyone who had helped to make the day a success.
He particularly thanked the course staff who had worked tirelessly to have the course in such great condition given the weather we have endured over the past few weeks. He went on to thank the bar staff and the catering staff for their part in the success of the day. Then it was on to the presentation of the prizes.
Results - front nine: 1, Barry Symes, Dave Maher, John O’Riordan, Cecelia O’Riordan (2.3), 25.65; 2, Pat Walsh, Kieran Murphy, Elaine Murphy, Eileen Cullen (3.3), 26.
Back nine: 1, Aidan Liston, Jackie Hamilton, Janice McDonald, Desmond Taylor (5), 26; 2, Jim French, Geoff Masterson, Ross Steedman, Mary Kilbride (2.5), 27.55.
Longest drive on the fifth went to Ciaran Doyle for the men and Eileen Cullen for the ladies. On the eleventh, Kevin Kelleher won longest drive for the men and Sarah Donnellan was best of the ladies.
Nearest the pin on the third was won by George Kilbride. On the eighth the winner was Paddy Donohoe, with Michael Carty best on the 14th and Brendan Sheehan leading the way on the 18th.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everybody who took part in the event. It was once again hugely enjoyable and a major success.
Sunday, March 12, any combination fourball results: 1, Andrew Hickey (8) and Jim Peppard (21), 37 points; 2, Catherine Ledwidge (14) and Tony Hewitt (18), 34 points
ENNISCORTHY
Gents’ monthly Seniors (14 holes), March 9, sponsored by Morgan Dunne (90 played): overall, Jim Gahan (20), 35 points; Over-50s: 1, John Maher (Courtown, 13), 34 points; 2, Martin Sludds (5), 32 points (last nine); Over65s: 1, John Conville (25), 33 points; 2, Joe Leacy (13), 32 points; Over-75s: 1, Liam Swan (27), 32 points; 2, Seán Ormonde (Wexford, 27), 31 points (last nine). Wexford Next Month’s sponsor is David Garahy.
Scotch foursomes, March 11 and 12, sponsored by E.G.C. (100 played): 1, Des Jacob (13) and Joe Leacy (13), 63 nett; 2, Barry Bolger (18) and Con Fleming (20), 64 nett; 3, Jim Mackey (10) and Michael Wickham (17), 65.5 nett. Next week’s competition sponsor are the solicitors. Team managers have been announced for the year and practising has already started for some. The teams co-ordinator is once again Denis Dunne.
Managers are as follows: Senior Cup, Eddie Doyle; Barton Cup, Jason Rackard and Murt Mangan; Provincial Towns, Tim Morrissey; Jimmy Bruen, Shane Dunphy and Maurice Nolan; Pierce Purcell, Ed Morrison; All-Ireland Interclub Fourball, Joe Delaney; Barton Shield, TBC; Junior Cup, Denis Dunbar and P.J. Murphy; Mixed foursomes, Marie Dunphy and Paul Connolly; Irish Junior foursomes, Jim Hogan and Pat Mulvey; Fred Daly (Juniors), Jim Hogan and Pat Mulvey; Leinster Under-15s, Jim Hogan and Pat Mulvey; J.B. Carr, Liam Dunbar.
We are now running a ‘split the pot’ raffle and the entry fee is €2. Tickets are on sale in the bar and Pro Shop. The draw is on next Sunday night as is the draw for the free memberships for those that have paid their dues by February 28 (levies not included).
There will be a club fundraiser on March 17. This will be a four-person scramble open competition starting at 8 a.m. with a €10 entry fee.
There is course sanding on March 21. The gents’ ninehole midweek starts on March 22 at 2 p.m.
There is a ladies’ and gents’ fourball, any combination, open competition on Saturday, March 25, at 8.30 a.m. and Sunday, March 26, at 8 a.m., sponsored by the Riverside Park Hotel.
For the full report please look at the club website in the news section.