ONtheFAIRWAYS
PAULINE’S SOCIETY
Mountain View golf course hosted our most recent outing. A challenging course at the best of times, conditions were poor with mist and fog for the greater part of the day.
Undaunted, Joe Malone returned an impressive 45 points to take first place, followed closely behind by Pat Furlong on 43 points for second place.
A similar score put David Feeney in third place on the countback. Nearest the pin prizes went to Frank McGuinness and Robert Ryan. Well done to all concerned.
Castlecomer will host club President Pat McGrath’s day out on Saturday, March 11. All members are expected to turn out if possible.
The usual signing on arrangements for this outing are posted on the noticeboard in Pauline’s, and names should be entered before 8 p.m. on the Tuesday, March 7, to facilitate the draw.
NEW ROSS SENIORS
Late last Wednesday evening it looked as if we would have no golf the following day as torrential rain and galeforce winds battered the area. After the storm there comes a calm, and Thursday dawned bright and sunny with the gales abated and the course after drying up considerably.
Thirteen teams faced the starter in the popular champagne scramble format and some excellent scores were returned.
Remarkably all of the 13 teams smashed the 90-point barrier but only two got to 100 points. Eddie Keher (9), Eamon Delaney (16), Tony Sexton (24), and Oliver Brennan (27) with 101 points took the bragging rights and the Paddy Whiskey to emerge as the winners.
In second place on 100 points came Jimmy Furlong (8), Jim ‘Ross’ Ryan (18), Dan Quigley (20) and Tom Furlong (25). The 98 points scored by John Kennedy (16), Steve Travis (17), Pat Traynor (18) and Kenny Irwin (22) secured third spot for that quartet.
Nearest the pin prize on the ninth went to Les Jastrebski, and no one got near the pin on the short eleventh hole.
All are reminded that the draw for teams each week is at 10.40 a.m. sharp and we still have a few individuals arriving on or near the cut-off point. This upsets the picking of teams and the smooth running of the competition, so the message is please be on time.
NEW ROSS LADIES
The winter league finished last week with the clear winners, The Bloody Marys, scoring a magnificent 217 points. The runners-up were The Divas with 206 points, and in third place were The Eagles with 194 points.
Well done to the winners and congratulations to everyone who took part. We enjoyed some very benign winter days for its duration and there is no doubt the league will contribute to the standard of golf in the crucial opening games of inter-club competitions about to kick off soon.
March 1, 14-hole stableford: 1, Carmel Delaney (36), 24 points; 2, Mary J. Maher (29), 24 points (last seven); 3, Ger Mackey (11), 26 - 2 penalty = 24 points (last seven).
March 8 sees the return to 18-hole competition sponsored by French’s Pharmacy, North Street, New Ross. We are very appreciative of this support, so thank you Ray. The entry for 18-hole competitions will be €7.
The Captains’ drive-in was a great success. A big crowd braved the elements to cheer on Peter and Marie Therese. The afternoon’s conditions improved for the golf and everyone enjoyed the scramble, with a welcome cuppa in the clubhouse afterwards.
Both Captains were very appreciative of the support shown to them and for the good wishes they received. It was great to see the Juniors out on Saturday afternoon too. Well done boys and girls, and thanks too to parents who are encouraging them to play golf.
Teams selection is under way at the moment with the Challenge team out in early April. The Mixed will start soon too. Thank you in advance for making yourself available to represent the club and to the selectors/managers who give of their time to organise everything.
Bridge continues at 2 p.m. in the clubhouse and all are welcome.
The table quiz is this Thursday instead of Friday. See you there at 8 p.m.
NEW ROSS
Bad weather was the spoilsport for the novel competition on the weekend of February 25-26. It was stableford points for the first nine and strokes for the back nine, with the appropriate reduction to give a final tally to each competitor. With little or no run on the ball, high scoring was out of the question.
James O’Brien (17) was declared the winner with an overall total of 16.5. Noel Kendrick (18) with a nett score of 17.0 took second place by virtue of a better back nine from Eamon Delaney (16) who also finished on 17.0. The gross went to long-hitting Derek Ronan whose 21.0 return was best.
Category 1 was won by Ger Ronan (6) with 23.0, whilst Category 2 went to Les Crascall (13) scoring 19.5. Noel Devine (18) took Category 3 with 18.0 nett.
Next weekend sees the competition for the coveted March medal sponsored by Derek Ronan of Visi Connect, and then on March 17-18-19 we have the St. Patrick’s weekend fourball which is sponsored by Four Star Pizza. Many thanks to both sponsors for their generous contributions to the club.
On Saturday we had the eagerly-awaited Captains’ drive-in by men’s Captain, Peter Goggin, and lady Captain, Marie Therese Wall. The two did not disappoint with cracking drives up the first fairway which received generous applause from the big attendance. Afterwards 15 teams took part in a three-person champagne scramble in cold but dry conditions.
There was a cracking finish to the event when two teams came in with 45 points. Even counting the best last six holes could not separate them, and eventually a better last three decided the issue.
Eamon Wall (7), Eddie Kent (17) and Brigid Murphy (26) shaded it to take first prize. Eleanor Roche (19), Miceál O’Neill (20) and Jamesie Murphy (23) finished second with 45 points also.
Third spot went to Eamon Dungan (5), Tess Ryan (22) and Eileen Wallace (28) with 44 points. Well done to the joint Captains, Marie Therese and Peter, and may they have a successful and rewarding time in office.
As a result of the Ireland/Wales rugby game being on this Friday, the next round of the table quiz goes ahead on Thursday, March 9, at 8 p.m. New teams are welcome to join in for the entry fee of €20.
The standings of the competing teams are: Tiger Daisy Cutters, twelve points; Simple Minds, ten points; Glensensaw Four, seven points; 3 Dubs & A Cat, six points; Misfits, six points; Blow Ins, six points; Tommy’s Team, six points; Dungrath, three points; West Wing, two points; Tomás O Sé, two points; Raheen, one point; Fireballs, one point.
BUNCLODY
February 19 to 25, ladies’ weekly: 1, Linda Byrne (12), 29 - 5 = 24 points; 2, Siobhán Moore (36), 22 - 1 = 21 points; 3, Lucy Healy (13), 21 points.
February 25 and 26, men’s singles: 1, Ray Moore (16), 28 points; 2, Malachy Quinn (20), 27 points; 3, Martin Bennett (14), 27 points.
Race to St. Patrick’s Day week three: 1, Seán Earley (6), 28 points; 2, Michael Byrne (16, Ballymoney), 28 points; gross, Clive Murphy (5), 24 points; 3, Ger Tobin (16), 27 points.
ENNISCORTHY LADIES
The 2017 golfing season began with our Captain’s drive-in on Sunday, February 26. Despite the inclement weather conditions, our Captain Jack Murphy, lady Captain Mary McCauley, Junior boys’ Captain Lee Quigley and Junior girls’ Captain Aileen Brophy took their tee off from the first tee.
There was a shotgun start nine-hole mixed scramble for 120 players who attended to wish our Captains well for the year. At the conclusion of the game there was an enjoyable evening with food and music in the bar.
The ladies’ golf season started with the white elephant competition, a 14-hole scramble. It was great to see so many ladies taking to the fairways to play the first competition of the year.
The winners were Triona Hogan, Marie Dunphy and Patricia Cullen. We look forward to the new golfing year. Next Tuesday’s competition is a team of three.
Keep up to date with activities and results by following us on facebook.com/enniscorthygolfclub.com, Twitter @ enniscorthygolf, or Instagram: enniscorthygolfclub.
64 SOCIETY
The 64 Golf Society outing was to Tulfarris on Saturday, February 25. A total of 26 members played on a course that was very wet with good greens.
Results: 1, Ray McGrath (10), 38 points; 2, Brendan Travers (10), 39 points - 3 (last nine); 3, Pat Walsh (7), 36 points; gross, Dean Grannell (4), 29 points; 4, Jimmy Woods (13), 35 points - 2 (last nine); 5, Brendan Sheehan (6), 33 points; first nine, David Kennedy (13), 22 points; second nine, Paul McDonagh (16), 17 points (last six); twos, Ray McGrath (10), second; Brendan Sheehan (6), 16th; Jim Woods (13), second; Noel Ivanoff (8), eleventh.
At the presentation in Nel Sweeney’s Bar after the outing, in the absence of our Captain, Noel McCartan, the Hon. Secretary Paddy O’Dowd thanked everyone who made the day a success.
He especially thanked our sponsor, Paul Spencer of Nel’s, for the lovely array of prizes.
Our next outing is our away outing to Tullamore on March 24/25, playing Tullamore and Esker Hill golf clubs.
Golfer of the year standings after five outings: 1, Jim French (16), 70 points; 2, Brendan Travers (10), 68 points; 3, Jerry O’Riordan (25), 67 points; 4, Ray McGrath (10), 65 points; 5, Niall Nolan (15), 65 points.
COURTOWN
The EBS/Colman Doyle winter league dinner took place in the clubhouse on Saturday, and as usual those of us who attended were not disappointed. Our caterers, Mossel Bay Catering, did us proud with both the quality and indeed quantity of food served.
The Captain, John Fitzgerald, thanked all concerned for the running of another successful winter league and in particular our sponsor, Colman Doyle. We were very pleased to learn that Colman has agreed to sponsor again for next year.
After the meal and presentations we were entertained by Waterford-based comedian Brendan Farrell, and then we were left to our own devices.
Some of us stayed on for a while where we entertained ourselves very well if not very wisely.
A final reminder that the Captains’ drive-in will take place next Saturday.
This will be a mixed four-person nine-hole shotgun start (on both nine holes), and the start time will be at 1.30 p.m.
The drive-in will be followed by some food and a presentation in the clubhouse. Come along and enjoy a great afternoon with our Captain John and lady Captain Laura. The timesheet is currently available in the clubhouse.
Seniors open, March 2: overall, Eric Nunan (19), 32 points; Cat. 1, Mike Power (13), 30 points; Cat. 2, Richard Hounslow (14), 28 points; Cat. 3, Paddy O’Brien (22), 26 points.
Ladies’ and gents’ singles, March 4: 1, Tom Kitt (23), 28 points (last nine); 2, Ollie Quigley (13), 28 points (last six); 3, Donal Sheehan (16), 28 points; ladies: 1, Eileen Fitzgerald (19), 23 points (last nine).
The weather got the better of us and we had to close the course on Sunday.
Tuesday, February 28, saw our ladies played a three-person waltz over twelve holes. The winners left everyone else in their wake and brought in a fantastic score of 38 points.
The winning team featured Eleanor Shanley (27), Jo O’Hara (35) and Sarah Furlong (36). The nine-hole competition was won by Mairéad Carty (20), with Theresa Poole (36) coming second. The running nine-hole competition for February has come to an end.
The winners with their two best cards counting over the month were: Cat. A, Catherine Ledwidge (14), 38 points; Cat. B, Eileen Moriarty (24), 33 points; Cat. C, Helen Mundow (30), 35 points minus 1 for domestic handicap.
The running lamb competition again over nine holes started on Wednesday, March 1, and will run until April 10. Ladies, play as often as you like. Sign-in in the ladies’ locker-room where you can also find the rules applying to the competition.
On Tuesday, March 7, we have a three-person champagne scramble. It should be great fun.
Well done to all our winners and we look forward to seeing all our members on the fairways soon.