ON the FAIRWAYS

NEWROSS

Winter league competition results: 1, Charlie Bradley (18), 32 points; 2, Martin Carroll (15), 31 points; 3, Andy Lawlor (11), 31 points; gross, Michael Kelleher, 25 points (last nine); Cat. 1, Tommy Liston (7), 28 points (last nine); Cat. 2, Fabian Flood (11), 30 points; Cat. 3, John Murphy (17), 31 points.

Well done to Fabian Flood who is the overall winner of the winter league with some very consistent golf and a fabulous total of 119 points.

NEWROSS SENIORS

A bitterly cold north-easterly wind swept across the course on Thursday, making things rather difficult for the ten competing teams.

Thankfully it remained dry and warmed up a few degrees as the day progressed. Even in tough conditions the first three teams home clocked up scores of 90 points or better. Glad to report that all teams finished well inside the four-hour limit mark.

Taking the honours with 94 points after a countback and courtesy of a better back nine holes (45/44) were Eddie Keher (12), Mick Gannon (18), Larry Shannon (20) and Tom Kent (26).

On the same score and placed second were Tom Murphy (16), John Murphy (17), John Fitzpatrick (19) and Pat Fenlon (20), the latter making his debut with the Seniors.

On 91 points and in third spot came Jimmy Furlong (11), Pat Traynor (18), Frank Boyle (23) and Donie Cody (23).

Nearest the pin prizes were won by Mick Gannon and Jim ‘Dublin’ Ryan.

Our calendar of away outings for 2018 is as follows: Tuesday, March 27, Gowran Park; Tuesday, April 24, Bunclody; Tuesday, May 15, Coollattin; Monday, June 18, Waterford Castle; Tuesday, July 31, Faithlegg; Monday, August 13, Dungarvan; Tuesday/Wednesday, September 11/12, Tipperary and Ballykisteen; Tuesday, October 18, Faithlegg.

All players please note that our deal in Ballykisteen is for two nights’ B&B, two dinners, two rounds of golf at an amazing all-in fee of €149 - so start saving for this truly bargain outing.

NEWROSS LADIES

Great scores were recorded on a hardy winter’s Wednesday for those whose braved the the low temperatures.

January 31, 14-hole stableford: 1, Pat Purcell (19), 32 points; 2, Liz Bennett (9), 31 - 1 = 30 points; 3, Mary Shannon (17), 26 points.

It has been decided to run into round four of the winter league now because of the fine response for round three by the end of January.

This round four will probably run until the end of February but we are well ahead of other years so this is a great position to be in. Don’t forget to enter the book and a separate card for the league.

There is plenty of time to catch the leading bunch who were in front after round two. The Grippers and The Sharp Shooters...let’s give them a rattle in round four!

Fixture lists are almost finalised for print and I know ladies are anxious to have them but a lot of work goes into competitions with sponsors’ names, and these need to be exact. Your patience and forbearance is appreciated.

ROSSLARE

Saturday, January 27, 14-hole lamb: 1, Derek Evans (10), Boyd Scott (15), 38 points; 2, Ger Doyle (13), Jim Hennessy (18), 35 points.

Sunday, January 28, 14-hole lamb: 1, Rory Deane (5), 34 points; 2, Ned Kinsella (19), 32 points; 3, Bobby O’Dowd (20), 31 points; 4, Martin Buggy (19), 31 points; 5, Philip Balfe (10), 30 points; 6, Michael Kearns (9), 30 points.

ROSSLARE LADIES

Round three of the winter league singles competition took place last weekend, and we now look forward to two weekends of fourball (14 holes) in round four, February 10/11 and February 17/18.

Saturday, January 27, open fourball: 1, Niamh Byrne (8/6) and Jon Walsh (22/15), 31 points; 2, Pauline Cafferkey (21/15) and Karen O’Keeffe (25/18), 30 points.

Tuesday, January 30, ladies’ competition: 1, Joan Walsh (22/15), 27 points; 2, Mary Kelleher (19/13), 27 points; 3, Máire Farrell (17/11 - 1), 25 points; 4, Ilo Pasdzior (22/15), 24 points; 5, Doreen McGovern (12/8 - 2), 24 points; 6, Vonnie O’Connor (17/11 - 1), 23 points.

The Tuesday, February 6, competition limits players to three clubs and a putter. It’s a fun game to play, and having fun is the most important part about it.

WEXFORD LADIES

Unfortunately, due to bad weather and difficult course conditions, there was no competition for our Senior ladies on Monday, January 29.

Thankfully the weather improved enough last week to allow 48 ladies to play in the weekly competition.

January 27 and February 1, single stableford 14-hole competition: 1, Leonie Furlong (12), 24 points; 2, Carmel Murphy (8), 23 points (back seven); 3, Sheila Richardson (8), 23 points (back seven).

Nearest the pin was Sheila Richardson with 5 ft. 2” on the sixth hole. Well done to all.

Hopefully the weather will stay good for the coming week - or we might be out building snowmen on the course.

A reminder to all ladies that teamsheets for those who would like to play in inter-club competitions are on the noticeboard in the locker room. The teams are open to all handicaps, but be prepared to put in the practice! Please complete a sheet and post it in the ladies’ results box.

Team managers are also being identified so if you are interested please let lady Captain Patricia know.

ST. HELEN’S

With only one round to go in a very exciting winter league, it’s all to play for. Qualifying places are up for grabs next Saturday, so get that swing fine-tuned.

Sunday, January 28, sweep: 1, Jonathan Dunne. Wednesday, January 31, Wednesday club: 1, Michael Vaughan (21), 21 points (countback); 2, Gerry Byrne (13), 21 points.

Saturday, February 3, winter league round nine: 1, Russell Burke (17), 24 points (countback); 2, Frank O’Kennedy (8), 24 points.

Saturday, February 3, eleven-hole sweep: 1, Joe Kelly (5), 24 points; 2, Pat O’Connor (2), 23 points; 3, Michael Grant (12), 22 points (countback).

Fixtures: Saturday, February 10, winter league round ten; Sunday, February 11, open eleven holes singles stableford.

BUNCLODY

January 24, open singles: 1, Rory Kinsella (13), 32 points (back nine); 2, Noel Frazer (12), 32 points; 3, Martin Bennett (13), 29 points (back nine).

January 27 and 28, twelve-hole singles: 1, Stephen Gahan (19), 28 points (back nine); 2, Tony Gleeson (8), 28 points (back nine); 3, Willie Doyle (8), 28 points.

COURTOWN

After a few weeks’ lay-off we were back in action again over the weekend, and it would appear from some of the scores that were returned in the any combination fourball that the break did no harm to some members.

It was also the sixth round of our Colman Doyle-sponsored winter league, and so after a few missed Sundays we are now back on track. If weather conditions allow we expect to play our final round over next weekend and then it will be down to the semi-finals which will be played on the following Sunday.

In the semi-finals the top team in section one will play second place in section two, and second place in section one will play first place in section two. The Captains from both teams will pair their players for the semi-finals and the format will be an aggregate fourball.

As it stands the teams’ points are as follows - section 1: Team D, Quigley’s Quorum, 158.3; Team C, Hughes’ Heroes, 150.8; Team B, Woods’ Tigers, 149.5; Team F, Murt’s Marvels, 148.5; Team E, Donal’s Demons, 146.7; Team A, Butler’s Bandits, 135.5; section 2: Team K, Noel’s Knockouts, 154.5; Team L, Larry’s Lads, 149.8; Team H, Darcy’s Dynamos, 148.3; Team I, Eamonn’s Eagles, 140; Team J, Cathal’s Crew, 135.7; Team G, Doyle’s Demons, 128.

Wednesday sweep, January 31: 1, Pat Ryan (16), 25 points; 2, Vincent Lumsden (16), 24 points (last nine); 3, Michael Hall (11), 24 points; 4, Tom Ryan (21), 23 points (last nine).

Gents’ Seniors’ Open, February 1: 1, Cathal O’Donohoe (18), 32 points; Cat. 1, Declan O’Rourke (21), 29 points (last nine); Cat. 2, Jim Hughes (18), 30 points; Cat. 3, John Bolger (19), 25 points.

Any combination fourball, Saturday and Sunday, February 3 and 4: 1, Alan Lawlor (18), Eric Nunan (20), 37 points (last six); 2, Seamus Kennelly (8), John O’Callaghan (21), 37 points (last nine); 3, Tom Foster (11), Ciarán O’Donovan (20), 37 points.

On the social side of things, remember that on Saturday we will have our swing into spring evening when there will be a three-course meal followed by music. This is fantastic value for just €25 per person. There are spaces still available