ON the FAIRWAYS
BUNCLODY
Race to Paddy’s Day 2020, week six: 1, Chris Francis (19), 39 points; 2, Connor Sinnott (13, St. Helen’s), 38 points; gross, James Morrissey (5, Enniscorthy), 27 points; 3, Michael Ivory (15), 37 points.
March 8-15, men’s twelve-hole re-entry singles: 1, Eddie O’Neill (15), 29 points; 2, Mick Kenny, Ferns (15), 29 points; gross, Alan Harrington (3), 23 points; 3, Martin Bennett (12), 29 points.
NEW ROSS LADIES
March 18: 1, Anne Curtis, Adm. (21), 72; 2, Liz Roberts (21), 73 (last nine); gross, Pat Purcell, 91; 3, Agnes Whelan (25), 73.
Wednesday, March 25, is an 18-hole v. Par, sponsored by Des Moloney.
DONOHOE’S SOCIETY
Donohoe’s Golf Society played Blackwater on Sunday morning, with only nine players due to a combination of Mother’s Day and the ongoing Covid-19 problems.
Congratulations first to Nicky Cahill who had a holein-one on the third, his second hole-in-one in Blackwater. Fair play fo him.
The winner was Trevor Murphy (6) with 35 points, and second was Cha O’Brien (7) who had a good day with 31 points and the birdie money.
Third was Jim Breen (10) with 30 points, winning on a countback.
Next Sunday we play Quinnagh House. Please be there by 8.45 a.m.
NEWROSS
We find ourselves in challenging times at the moment, with much concern about safeguarding our health and that of others.
Golf remains a relatively safe form of exercise as long as certain precautions are taken. The flag issue has been addressed with the modification to the cups which was very evident on Sunday.
Maintaining an appropriate distance from others is the responsibility of all individuals. Generally speaking, common sense goes a long way.
With this safeguarding in mind it is now essential, not optional, to use the BRS booking system for all golf on our course, whether casual golf or competition entry.
Proper use of the system will prevent numbers gathering at the first tee etc., helping with social distancing. This comes into effect immediately for all members and visitors alike. We thank you for your co-operation.
The recent St. Patrick’s Day classic proved popular, with high scoring in good conditions. Congratulations to the winners.
Results: 1, Jimmy Furlong (13), 41 points (last nine); 2, Mossy Ryan (15), 41 points; 3, Ger Whittle (12), 40 points; gross, Tommy Liston, 30 points; Cat. 1, Corey Bolger (9), 38 points; Cat. 2, J.P. Traynor (11), 38 points (last nine).
The weekend weather was a tonic for most of us, with ideal conditions for golf on particularly good greens as a result of the hard work of our course staff. A total of 140 golfers entered the singles stableford which was sponsored by E.E.W., courtesy of Noel Cowman.
Once again, the scoring was high across the range. Congratulations to the winners.
Results: 1, David Feeney (13), 43 points; 2, Mossy Ryan (15), 42 points; 3, Martin Bradley (17), 41 points; gross, Stephen Furlong, 32 points; Cat. 1, Corey Bolger (9), 38 points; Cat. 2, Harry Reinhardt (15), 41 points; Cat. 3, Tom O’Connor (19), 40 points.
In light of the high number of golfers around the course last week, we are organising the following competitions for members. Today (Tuesday) we will have a singles stableford competition with an entry of €5.
On Thursday and Friday we will run a champagne scramble with four-person teams of any combination. Each golfer must contribute three drives, with two to score on all holes, and all play your own ball on the par three holes as is usual.
Next weekend we will have another singles stableford competition, sponsored by Cropcare.
Our sponsors’ day has been postponed to later in the year as the clubhouse facilities are unavailable due to the Covid-19 situation. All our sponsors will be notified prior to the new date.
The club would like to welcome Diarmuid O’Neill to our greenkeeping staff. Diarmuid will start this week and replaces Michael Hennessy who left last year.
The club would like to thank Harry Reinhardt and Bill Hurley who assisted in the interview and selection process.
Our Split The Pot draw continues, with the most recent winners being Tom Fenlon, Mark Cullen, Jim Byrne and Derek Byrne who collect €118.
Challenging times demand the best from each of us, so please follow HSE guidelines and the systems put in place by the club to protect everyone. Use the BRS system, keep your distance, and wash your hands so we can all continue to enjoy our sport and stay healthy.
BALLYMONEY
St. Patrick’s Day/Wednesday nine-hole competition (mixed): 1, Tom Kavanagh, 21 points; 2, Paul Doolan, 21 points; 3, Kevin Byrne, 20 points.
Weekend singles stableford, 16 holes (13 and 14 excluded): 1, Liam Donnelly, 38 points; 2, Tom Doolan, 38 points; 3, Paul Doolan, 38 points; 4, Richard Barlow, 37 points.
The good weather has finally arrived, and Ron Breen and his staff had the course looking well. A big turn-out at the weekend enjoyed beautiful weather and a welcome distraction from the extremely worrying times we are all facing.
Everyone is making every effort to maintain safe practices to minimise the spread of the virus and will continue to do so. Hopefully we will emerge from these tribulations as soon as possible.
COURTOWN
The Wednesday sweep held on March 11 was won by Robert Hogan (18) with 30 points (31 - 1).
Joseph Sinnott (20) was second on 28 points, Tony Finn (26) was third with 25 points, and Tony Crehan (9) was fourth.
The men’s singles held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, was won by Christy White (16) with 32 points.
In second place was Conor Devitt (15) with 29 points, while Robert Hogan (18) was third on a countback, also with 28 points (29 – 1). Best gross was Colm Sheehan (2) on 25 points (countback).
The St. Patrick’s Day champagne scramble was won by Noel Ivanoff (8), Lynn Copeland (25), Ned Copeland (15) and John James Dunne (16) with a great score of 108 points.
In second place were Evan Byrne (19), Alex Murphy (16), Seáni Quirke (15) and Michael Morrissey Jnr. (24) on 100 points, while third were Colin Breen (6), Conor Devitt (15), Bobby Hughes (15) and Niall Hughes (18) on 98 points (countback).
There was no men’s sweep held on Wednesday, March 18. Instead, there was a stableford singles held over 13 holes, and emerging victorious was Declan O’Rourke (22) with 32 points.
In second place was Tommy Kinsella (20) on 31 points, while third was Tony Crehan (9) on 30 points (countback). Best gross was won by Brendan Breen (2) with 26 points.
The full 18 holes were in play for the any combination fourball competition held over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22.
The winners were Brendan Hobbs (16) and Conor Devitt (15) with 46 points. Second were Colin Sunderland (9) and Mairéad Sunderland (16) with 44 points, and third were Danny Whitty (12) and Paul McDonald (13) on 42 points (back nine).
The final week of the nine-hole Race to St. Patrick’s Day competition was won by Robert Hogan on a countback with 20 points.
In second place was Lynne Copeland, also with 20 points, while third was Tony Crehan on 19 points (countback).
After ten weeks of competition, the overall Race to St. Patrick’s Day was won by Lynne Copeland with a cumulative points total of 44, followed in second place by Colin Breen with 40, and Tony Finn in third with 39.
Due to the recently announced closure of the clubhouse, the rules night planned for Friday, March 27, has been called off.
COOLLATTIN
Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, 18-hole open men’s singles: 1, Martin O’Neill (0), 41 points; 2, Luke Brennan (6), 40 points; gross, Seán O’Brien (6), 39 points; 3, Dave Parle (8), 38 points.
WEXFORD
Tuesday, March 17, 15-hole stableford team competition: 1, Kevin Murphy (8), Mick Creane (11), Patch Doyle (19), Jim Doyle (20), 85 points; 2, Rhian Clarke (7), Alex Currid (11), Enda Lambert (12), Niall Gilbane (22), 82 points; 3, Brian Kelly (14), Emmanuel Quigley (14), Paul Kelly (18), Michael Moran (19), 79 points.
The above St. Patrick’s Day competition was played under the recently issued coronavirus Golfing Union of Ireland guidelines.
Players have all been advised of these, and if everyone complies then we can all get out on the golf course and safely enjoy the fine weather that we are now finally experiencing.
Just one suggestion to add to these guidelines: instead of touching elbows at the end of the round to thank your playing partners for their company during the round, consider touching your putter blades instead, thereby ensuring that you can remain at the recommended two metres.
The message is to get out, get your exercise, and keep your distance.