ONtheFAIRWAYS
TAGHMON SOCIETY
The Society played for their Captain’s prize in New Ross Golf Club on July 23 and 43 players participated. Everybody was champing at the bit and rearing to go; the anticipation could be felt in the air.
It was a damp, drizzly day with the waterproofs being put on and off more than once. The course was playing really well and in immaculate condition, so, how the scores were generally on the low side is a bit of a mystery as we would normally have a handful of players on 36+. It must have been down to the drizzly conditions.
Results: 1, Tom McGrath, the real Tom McGrath that is!; 2, Philip Wadding; 3, Seán Sexton; Cat. 1, Martin Roche; Cat. 2, Jim O’Keeffe; Cat. 3, Kieran Purcell; front nine, Ryan Cashin; back nine, Anthony Wadding; nearest the pin, Jason McLoughlin (11th), 0”; longest drive, Marks Morrissey, 18th; visitor, Noel Dunne. There were four winners of the twos club and €15 each goes to Nicky Cousins, Jim McGee, Martin Roche and Anthony Wadding.
As you can see the nearest the pin was measured at 0”; yes, somebody in the society finally, after 22 years of trying, got to the holy grail of golf, a hole-in-one. Congratulations to Jason McLoughlin.
It was a beautifully-struck high arching eight iron shot with a draw on it landing on the front centre of the signature eleventh green, with the majestic and imposing Leinster mountains in the distance, and it rolled on up to the hole with just enough on it to plop into the hole, didn’t it Jason? Well done that man.
We all headed off to the Horse and Hound in Ballinaboola for a sumptuous and delicious four-course meal and pints, lots of pints. The presentation of prizes and speeches followed.
Captain Eamon Roche welcomed everyone and complimented the H & H for the lovely meal and for being a regular sponsor of our society. He complimented New Ross G.C. on the course condition and Jason McLoughlin on his historic hole-in-one.
Our sponsor for this day was Dolores Sidney of our home base, Alice Brady’s pub in Taghmon, the best pub in the area to which we headed to after the meal.
Captain’s prize winner, Tom McGrath, accepted his lovely crystal prize from Eamon Roche and commented that the puck-outs were straight and the sideline cuts were good. I think he even said that it was the quality of his playing partners that drove him on to greatness.
He did indeed need a sideline cut to get him out of trouble on the third where only a lefty such as himself could have played the shot. Congratulations to Tom on his fine win and to Captain Eamon on a superbly-organised day.
There was a draw of three sets of fourballs after the presentations for all the remaining scorecards, i.e. those who won nothing! Dave Rossiter (St. Helen’s); Eddie Cousins (Enniscorthy) and Tom Furlong (Woodenbridge). It was amazing how many ‘friends’ Furlong had straight away with comments such as “When are we going to Woodenbridge Tom?” Declan Clarke, the smiling assassin, won the lotto ball competition.
A little known side bet was on who would win between two players. A bit of hustling may have been going on as the better player let the lesser player win on the last day out by a point to give him a false sense of confidence and then suggested that it be double or quits for this outing.
Of course, the better player won, by a point, and duly collected his cash prize from a very deflated loser - Tom McGrath, no, not the main prize winner, the other one, the one and the only, the unreal Tom McGrath.
The next outing is in Tramore Golf Club on August 27 at 11 a.m. so be early please. Please respond to your text messages A.S.A.P. once received as it makes it that much easier for the committee. Bring along a friend or a lapsed member as a visitor.
PAT NEVILLE CLASSIC
On Friday, July 22, Bannow Ballymitty G.A.A. club was honoured once again to organise and host the annual Pat Neville perpetual golf classic. This year’s venue was Wexford Golf Club, and we were truly blessed with a perfect golfing weather to compliment the picturesque setting.
The first tee-off was at 7.30 a.m. with teams of four following throughout the day until the final team at 5.30 p.m. With over 30 teams participating, the atmosphere was jovial and light-hearted yet fittingly competitive. A fantastic day was had by all.
Competition was tough as was evident in the final tally of scores. Only two shots separated first and second place whilst the difference between second and third place was a mere tenth of a shot.
First prize of a €1,500 Cassidy golf coucher plus the Pat Neville Perpetual Cup was won by Anthony Neville’s team. The cup was presented to Rory McCarthy by the late Pat Neville’s daughter, Niamh. In accepting the cup, Rory thanked the organisers and praised their effort by saying that this had been ‘the best golf classic by far that I have had the pleasure of playing in terms of venue, organisation and prizes’.
Second prize of two nights’ self-catering accommodation (for four) in Castlerosse Woodlands Cottages along with a round of golf for four at Beaufort Golf Club, Killarney, Co. Kerry, was won by David Currid’s team.
Third prize of four green fees for The European Club, Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, was won by the Anthony Neville Homes team.
The longest drives on the fourth and 12th were won by Paul Lambert and Mark Sinnott respectively.
The nearest to the pins on the sixth and 16th were won by John Sinnott and Graham Sinnott respectively.
Bannow Ballymitty G.A.A. club will make a donation of €400 to The Tracey Lawlor Trust (for Cystic Fibrosis).
The executive of Bannow-Ballymitty G.A.A. club would like to thank everyone who helped to make this special annual event a memorable and successful one. We would like to thank in particular Nicky Doyle, Joe Sinnott and Patrick Fitzharris who formed the organising committee and without whom the event would not have been so worthwhile.
Thanks also to the extended family of the late Pat Neville who continue to afford their support to this amazing day. Thanks to the Wexford Golf Club and their excellent worldclass course , their professional staff, and the hospitality and courtesy shown to our guests.
We are hugely indebted to our many sponsors who continue to support this event. Finally, we thank teams who took time out to participate with such great humour throughout the day and made it a fun-filled golf classic.
We hope to welcome you all back again next year!
BLACKWATER SOCIETY
Results for our last outing on Saturday, July 23, in Enniscorthy (Captain’s day) were: 1, Tom Corrigan (16), 40 points; 2, Bob Ryan (19), 38 points; 3, Ger Corrigan (18), 36 points; Cat. 1, Paddy O’Connor (10), 34 points; Cat. 2, Tom O’Brien (17), 35 points; Cat. 3, Larry Price (26), 26 points; front nine, Peter Goff (14), 18 points (countback); back nine, R.J. Blake (12), 19 points; guest prize, Eileen Byrne (36), 28 points; twos club, Simon Kelly (hole three) and Joe Donoghue (hole six).
A total of 26 members and three guests played. We would like to thank our sponsor, Niall Byrne, and also well done to our Captain, Paul O’Reilly. The next outing is at Wexford Golf Club on Saturday, August 6.
ROSSLARE LADIES
Last week was ladies’ open week and be were all a buzz. Ladies came from all over, as far as Athenry and Sligo, not to mention many Dublin clubs.
We were lucky with the weather and the course has never been in better condition. The first day, Monday, was a singles competition sponsored by French Connection Boutique, while Tuesday was a fourball competition sponsored by Caterhire Ltd.
Wednesday was a singles competition sponsored by Murphy’s SuperValu in Rosslare Harbour, and Thursday was a team of three event sponsored by our club caterers. Friday, we allowed the men to play with us for a mixed Scotch foursomes competition sponsored by Barker’s. All our sponsors were so generous with their prizes.
Some of our local members were successful during the week among the stiff competition, namely: Marianne Brennan winning the Seniors on Monday, Moira Fortune and Gerarde Mahon winning on Tuesday, Paula Stafford coming third on Wednesday, Joan Bowe, Dorcas Maher and Norrie Goff winning, with Kathleen Cullimore, Josephine Moran and Rosemary Spelman coming third, on Thursday.
Norrie Goff, playing excellent golf, came first again with her husband, Pat, on Friday. Bernadette and Alan Cuddihy came second with Angela Murphy and Derek Wickham winning the gross on Friday.
So, all in all it was a good week for us but many prizes were won by visitors. Please see below for detailed results.
There will be a Mid-Leinster girls’ competition in Rosslare Golf Club on Monday, August 8. It will be over 18 holes and nine holes. Please contact Kathleen Cullimore (0879534753) if you need any details.
It is men’s open week this week but ladies are welcome to play an open Scotch foursomes on Friday, August 5, sponsored by Lexus in Blackrock.
Tuesday, August 9, is a singles stableford competition sponsored by Fitzgibbon Jewellers.
Monday, July 25, singles stableford (C.S.S.: home 35, away 34) sponsored by French Connection: 1, Anne Tynan (Castle, 19), 38 points (back nine); 2, Josie McWeeney (Castle, 18), 38 points (back nine); gross, Deirdre Walsh (Milltown, 2), 31 points; 3, Mary Carey (Ashbourne, 21), 38 points; 4, Louise Wilson (Charlesland, 17), 37 points; Seniors, Marianne Brennan (18), 36 points; front nine, Sandra Wagstaff (Stackstown, 33), 22 points; back nine, Finola Doran (Rathfarnham, 36), 20 points; nearest to pin, Brenda Ewing (Carlow), 6ft 4in (sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel); visitor’s prize, Eva Duggan (Kilkenny, 35), 36 points.
Tuesday, July 26, open fourball sponsored by CaterHire Ltd.: 1, Moira Fortune (16/14) and Gerarde Mahon (19/17), 45 points (back nine); 2, Terry Sexton (12/11, Dun Laoghaire) and Hilary O’Herlihy (14/13, Foxrock), 45 points; 3, Louise Wilson (16/14, Charlesland) and Patricia Metcalfe (15/14, Charlesland), 44 points; visitor’s prize, Avril Dowley (8/7, Milltown) and Kathryn Bolger (26/24, Delgany), 43 points; nearest to pin, Louise Wilson (Charlesland), 5 4 (sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel); longest drive, Cathy Atkinson; Burrow course, Frances O’Mahoney (36/24), 25 points.
Wednesday, July 27, open singles stableford (C.S.S.: home 35, away 35), sponsored by Murphy’s SuperValu, Rosslare Harbour: 1, Helen Conway (Newlands, 20), 41 points (back nine); 2, Barbara Maher (Edmondstown, 16), 41 points; gross, Avril Keenan-Dowley (Delgany, 8), 31 points; 3, Paula Stafford (16), 38 points (back nine); 4, Delores McEntee (Ashbourne, 25), 37 points (back nine); front nine, Cara Ryan (Grange, 15), 20 points; back nine, Lesley O’Sullivan (Milltown, 15), 22 points (back three); nearest to pin, Clare O’Carroll (Woodbrook, 10), 29 (sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel); visitor’s prize, Kay Lynch (Beech Park, 36), 37 points (back nine).
Thursday, July 28, team of three event sponsored by Clubhouse Caterers (David and Siobhán): 1, Joan Bowe (13), Dorcas Maher (18), Norrie Goff (21), 91 points; 2, Edel Dunleavy (29), Rhona Coman (18), Anne Marie Twomey (32), Milltown and Cork, 84 points; 3, Kathleen Cullimore (17), Josephine Moran (15), Rosemary Spelman (25), 82 points (back nine); nearest to pin, Margaret Ryan (Woodbrook), 9 (sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel); visitor’s prize, Carol Doran (33, Blessington), Joanne Hare (12, St. Helen’s), Annette Barron (25, Slievanamon), 78 points.
Friday, July 29, mixed Scotch foursomes sponsored by Barker’s of Wexford: 1, Norrie (21) and Pat Goff (10), 65.6 (back nine); 2, Bernadette (23) and Alan Cuddihy (17), 65.6; gross, Angela Murphy (9) and Derek Wickham (6), 74; 3, Teresa (33) and Shay Lynch (20), 65.8.
ROSSLARE
Singles: 1, Paul Murphy (scr.), 41 points (67 gross); 2, Denis Noonan (5), 40 points; gross, Jody Fanagan (+1), 34 points; vet., Ray O’Donovan (19), 37 points; 3, John Benton Jnr. (8), 38 points.
Singles: 1, Brian Walsh (19), 42 points; 2, Nicholas Rossiter (16), 39 points; gross, Gary Collins (+3), 37 points; vet., Pat Rossiter (9), 36 points; 3, David Hore (16), 39 points; 4, Paul Dunphy (16), 38 points; 5, Joe Moran Jnr. (6), 37 points.
Congratulations to John Brady who was one of only two Irish golfers to qualify for the European Young Golfer of the Year played in Golf Club Du. Domaine, Geneva, Switzerland, last week.
John, who is only 16 years of age and plays off a +2 handicap, finished 24th. The other Irish qualifier was another regular visitor to Rosslare, Mark Power (Kilkenny), who actually won the event.
Open week continues until Sunday with the following fixtures: Wednesday, singles sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel; Thursday, team of four (Rochefreight); Friday, ladies’ and gents’ Scotch foursomes (Lexus Blackrock); Saturday, singles (Wright Insurance); Sunday, fourball (Rosslare Golf Club).
WEXFORD
The President’s prize took place last weekend and our thanks to club President Ger Cashman for his sponsorship. This is Ger’s final year as President so he will have plenty of time next year to brush up on his golf.
The P.G.A. Tankard qualifier which is sponsored by our professional, Liam Bowler, was won by Pat Furlong with 41 points. In second place was Geoffrey Farrell on 40 points. Third place went to Kieran Carroll with 39 points.
The gross prize was won by Conor Morris with 33 points. Joe Cashe was in fourth place with 38 points (back nine). Fifth place went to Nacey Brennan on 38 points, while Larry O’Neill won the vet’s prize with 37 points.
The members would like to thank Liam Bowler for his sponsorship. Wednesday’s competition was a 14-hole open fourball. Results: 1, L. Doyle and Michael Rossiter, 38 points (back seven); 2, Pat Mahon and Noel Martin, 38 points; 3, Graham Robinson and Pat Harnett, 37 points.
President’s prize result: 1, Noel Martin, eight up; 2, Richard Browne, five up; 3, Jim McGee, four up; gross, Nicky Reville, seven down; 4, Ian Nolan, four up.
The leading qualifier prize was won by Adam O’Neill on four up. The vets’ prize was won by the ever-consistent Tommy Hynes.
Congratulations to Billy Boggan who won the free sub in the members’ draw. The full list of prize-winners is displayed in the clubhouse.
Des Croke was the winner of last week’s Split The Pot. Details of all results and forthcoming competitions can be found on our website: wexfordgolfclub.ie.
NEW ROSS LADIES
July 27, 27th Countess of Granard foursomes sponsored by Coghlan Kelly Solicitors: 1, Mary Shannon (17) and Anne Curtis Adm. (20), 43 points; 2, Margaret Murphy (23) and Marie O’Connor (30), 40 points; 3, Kay Bolger (15) and Angela Treacy (19), 39 points (last nine).
Upcoming competitions: Wednesday, August 3, 18-hole v. par (Senior), sponsored by Joyces Homecare.
Wednesday, August 10, 18-hole stroke (medal) sponsored by Brooks Jewellers.
Wednesday, August 17, Centenary Cup 18-hole stableford sponsored by New Ross and Bunclody Credit Union.
Best of luck to Mary Maher, Marie Therese Wall and Carmel Fenlon who will represent New Ross in Carlow on Wednesday in the Valerie Doyle competition.