ONtheFAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS
Good weather favoured the running of the first major trophy of the year, the March medal competition. Scoring was excellent with the winner, Colm Murphy (8), clear of the field with a nett 63.
In second place was the ultra-consistent Noel Kendrick (18) who finished on 65, two shots off the winner. Third place was claimed by Declan Clark (18) who carded a good score of 67, whilst the gross was won by Donal Hosey who played superb golf in shooting 77.
Category 1 went to Brendan Duffin (8) with a 72, while George Walsh (12) took Category 2 with 67, and Slieverue’s Ger Freyne (18) was the winner in Category 3.
Out of respect to our sponsors, all prize-winners are asked to attend the prize-giving, and if you cannot come please appoint someone to pick up your prize. Sponsors are the life blood of any golf club and players if lucky enough to win a prize should out of courtesy to the sponsor of the day’s competition turn up to collect your prize.
The golfing season is about to get into full swing with the starting of the Tuesday evening fourball on March 28. This year there is a change in that it will be an open competition for ladies, gents, mixed and visitors.
The entry fee is only €4 for members and €10 for visitors. You can play anytime on a Tuesday but booking online is advisable if you wish to play after 2 p.m.
The St. Patrick’s night cabaret organised by joint Captains Peter and Marie Therese was an outstanding success, with a big crowd enjoying a terrific evening of music, song, dance and a bit of comedy thrown in for good measure. We had stirring Irish Marches, Old Time Waltzes, Military Two-Steps, The Walls of Limerick and the Siege of Ennis, with an exhibition of Irish dancing by Eileen Connell.
The music was in the capable hands of Martin Forristal, Tom Grant, John Kelleher, Ivan and Mary Dungan, Charles Walsh and Eoin Doyle. Dance instructor, Martin Forristal, put the participants of the set dances through their paces, coaching them into a correct rhythm (Strictly Come Dancing eat your hearts out).
We had songs from Mary Goggin, Martin Gladney, Tom O’Sullivan and Seamus Kiely which were very much appreciated by an attentive audience. Sometimes insuring the wife can be a bit of a problem as portrayed by ‘Batman and Robin’, alias Peter and Jamesie, in their hilarious comedy act.
Both Captains wish to express their grateful appreciation to all those who came along in support of this social evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The next round of the table quiz league is on this coming Friday, March 24, at 8 p.m.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Many thanks to John Molloy of Emco Printers, South Street, New Ross for his sponsorship and printing of our fixtures book. We would be lost without it. It is beautifully produced and so easy to read at a glance. They are available to paid-up lady members and will be found in the locker room.
A reminder to all prize-winners: if you featured in the competitions sponsored by Albert’s Hair Design (March 1), French’s Pharmacy (March 8), Creacon Wellness Centre (March 15) or Glanbia (March 22), please attend the prize-giving this Wednesday, March 22, at 8 p.m. In difficult trading times it is the least we can do to show our gratitude to them.
It was great to see ladies entered on the timesheet for last weekend’s open fourball. Hopefully this trend will continue for the season.
Registration for the ‘Get Into Golf’ programme will take place this Wednesday, March 22, in the clubhouse between 6 and 8 p.m.
The initiative is fully subscribed so thank you to anyone who invited or encouraged any lady to take part.
If anyone has clubs to donate (left or right hand), please leave them at the Pro Shop or ladies’ locker room. We are very keen to have some ladies’ clubs available for participants.
There was great music in the clubhouse on St. Patrick’s night. Many thanks to all who came along to make it a great success.
It was lovely to see lady member Mary Dungan playing alongside Ivan, Martin F, Martin C, Dr. John, Eoin and Charlie. There’s nothing like a live band to set the feet tapping and dancers going! It was a night of good fun.
This week’s competition is sponsored by Glanbia and it will be 18-hole stableford with gross. Book online or come to the draws at the usual times.
March 15, 18-hole stableford sponsored by Creacon Wellness Centre: 1, Teresa Foley (19), 36 points; 2, Marie Therese Wall (21), 34 points (last six); 3, Mary J. Maher (29), 34 points (last nine).
BUNCLODY
March 11 and 12, men’s singles: 1, Ger Tobin (16), 29 points; 2, Ken Leech (15), 27 points; 3, Barry Murphy (9), 26 points.
Race to St. Patrick’s Day, week five: 1, Dan Byrne (15), 31 points; 2, Ger Tobin (16), 29 points; gross, Donal Byrne (4, Ballymoney), 25 points; 3, Frankie Morrissey (9), 28 points.
March 15, Wednesday open singles: 1, Clive Murphy (5), 37 points; 2, Alan Harrington (4), 37 points; 3, Martin Bennett (14), 36 points.
BALLYMONEY
Thankfully, with the improved weather competitions we have returned to the golf club.
The Wednesday nine-hole (back nine) was won by Stephen Greene (19) with 21 points. It was good to see Stephen back playing after being out of commission for a while.
Wednesday nine-hole (front nine): 1, Paul O’Brien (14), 17 points; 2, Derek Robinson (8), 17 points; 3, Eugene O’Brien (12), 15 points.
St. Patrick’s Day nine-hole: 1, Pat Miskella (13), 20 points; 2, Eugene O’Brien (12), 20 points; 3, Ger O’Brien (8), 20 points.
Weekend singles stableford (mixed): 1, Tracey Hutton (39), 44 points; 2, David Glynn (12), 39 points; 3, Ed Lysaght (16), 37 points.
The results of the delayed winter league matches will be included in next week’s report.
COURTOWN
With the help of a bit of fine weather, we hope to have our first 18-hole medal this coming weekend. Other events for this week are as follows: tomorrow (Wednesday) we will have a gents’ singles sweep, and I have no doubt that my friend Tom Kitt will be back chasing another sweep. Tom really seems to prosper on Wednesday.
Thursday there will be a ladies’ Seniors’ open, and this can be either an 18- or eleven-hole competition.
Saturday will be an any combination fourball, and as already mentioned, Sunday hopefully will be the 18-hole singles medal.
Wednesday sweep, March 15: 1, Tom Kitt (23), 33 points; 2, Paddy Stack (19), 31 points; 3, Pat Kenny (13), 30 points (last nine); 4, Pat Noonan (21), 30 points.
Invitation ladies’ and gents’ singles, March 17 and 18: 1, Diarmuid Swords (16), 33 points; 2, Nick Noblett (14), 32 points (last nine); 3, Peter Sinnott (21), 32 points; gross, Joe Keegan (5), 26 points.
Ladies: 1, Croine Ferguson (31), 29 points; 2, Aine Kavanagh (19), 27 points (last three).
Any combination fourball, March 19: 1, Kevin Horan (13), Mick Kelly (14), 38 points (last six); 2, Steven Doyle (17), Martin Byrne (21), 38 points (last nine); 3, Joe Turner (12), Eamonn Mahony (16), 38 points.
Tuesday, March 14, saw our ladies play a three-person team event with a shotgun start at 12 noon. The weather was glorious and everybody was in great form.
The draw for teams had been done which added to the excitement as the ladies arrived to see who they were teamed with. We had both a front nine and back nine competition. Results - front nine: 1, Maria Coone (11), Eileen Wheeler (32), Mary O’Connor (36), 28 points; 2, Sarah Donnellan (7), Pauline Murphy (32), Christianne Deller (36), 27 points; back nine: 1, Kate Sheehan (19), Ann Codd (26) and Elaine Fitzgerald (36), 30 points; 2, Mairéad Sunderland (19), Dympna Doyle (31), Ingrid Ashmore-Butler (36), 29 points.
Our caterers, Mossel Bay Catering, served up an extremely enticing buffet for us after the game and a very enjoyable evening was had by everyone in the clubhouse. Well done to all the winners and thank you to everybody for taking part.
ENNISCORTHY
We are running an Augusta Masters-themed competition prior to everyone’s favourite major. In conjunction with the midweek nine-hole competitions on March 22 and 29, and for only an additional €2 to your entry fee, we will pair you with one of the pros who make the cut at Augusta in a random draw which will be done on Saturday morning, April 8.
Your midweek stableford score will be added to your professional partner’s Sunday score which will be converted back to a stableford score to give you your total. Augusta is a par 72,, so if Jordan Spieth has 68 strokes then his stableford score is 40.
There will be cash prizes for the first three. If you enter twice then your better score only counts unless we don’t have enough players to fill the quota.
In the event of a draw then there will be a countback on your score. If this turns out to be a success we will extend this to the other three majors and the Irish Open.
We are hoping to run a series of monthly general knowledge quizzes in the clubhouse on the following dates: March 31 (please note change of date), April 21 and May 25, all at 9 p.m. sharp with more to follow depending on the interest shown.
It would be great to get as many members and their friends to turn up as what attended the charity fundraising quizzes held here. Entry is open to anyone so spread the word amongst the serial quiz-goers that you know of. The entry fee is €20 per table of four.
For the full report please look at the club website in the news section.
The gents’ open Seniors is on the second Thursday of every month. There are changes to the age groups and they are as follows: 50 to 65, 66 to 75, and 76+. The ladies’ equivalent starts on April 20 at 9 a.m. and thereafter on the third Thursday of every month.
The ever-popular ladies’ and gents’ open singles made a welcome return after the winter break and is open to all membership categories.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in this competition, then please bring them along. Timesheets are now open for booking for virtually every Monday throughout the year.
There is course sanding on March 21, weather permitting. The gents’ nine-hole midweek starts on March 22 at 2 p.m.
There will be ladies’ and gents’ fourball, any combination, open competitions on Saturday, March 25, at 8.30 a.m. and Sunday, March 26, at 8 a.m., sponsored by the Riverside Park Hotel.
Singles stableford, March 18 and 19, sponsored by solicitors (89 played): 1, Mark Byrne (5), 41 points (back nine); 2, Paddy Barnes (14), 41 points; gross, Nicky Murphy (8), 32 points; 3, Billy Crosbie (12), 39 points (back nine); 4, Donal O’Brien (13), 39 points; 5, Eddie Doyle (8), 38 points.
Four-person team, March 17, sponsored by E.G.C. (96 played): 1, Darragh Murphy (17), Joe Murphy (16), Nicky Murphy (8) and Peter O’Shea (14), 56.5; 2, Paddy Hore (7), Clive Kelly (12), Mark Kelly (28) and Pat Mulvey (17), 58.6.
We have had a change of Honorary Secretary recently and would like to congratulate the incoming Stephen Casey on his recent appointment and wish him well for his tenure.
Many thanks to the outgoing Paul Leacy, who retired due to work commitments elsewhere, for his years of dedication and hard work, on many occasions over and above the call of duty to the club and its members. Sár-obair déanta agat, bain taitneamh as do ról nua!
New members are always welcome to the best golf club in the region so contact Hon. Sec. Stephen Casey on 05392-33191 for details and rates applicable to you. There are many membership categories and rates to suit everyone.
We had two buggies in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, adding flavour to the occasion. Many thanks to Aileen, Lizzy, Mark and big Rob for volunteering.