ON the FAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS
The course was a hive of activity for open week, with a varied assortment of competitions to suit all tastes. Scoring was hot and it was indeed hard to win any sort of prize such was the quality of golf being played throughout the week.
Tuesday, June 13, saw an open fourball competition where the winners were Brendan Duffin (9) and Noel Dunne (17) with a terrific score of 44 points. Second place on 43 points went to visitors from Waterford, Dominic Tutty (9) and Ryan (11), whilst placed third were Martin Carroll (13) and Ned Conway (14) with 42 points.
Thursday, June 15, saw Tommy Liston (7), Liam Connolly (8) and Tommy Tyler (16) win the three-person scramble with a nett score of 59.9. On 61.6 and in second position came Robbie Farrell (scratch), Michael Cullen (8) and Luke Codd (16).
The 62 nett notched up by Ger Ronan (6), David Feeney (16) and Pat McGrath (18) was good enough to claim third prize.
On Friday, June 16, it was a question of a lady defying all odds to take first prize in the open singles. Claire Fanning (36) from Faithlegg overcame all comers to emerge the victor with 41 points. Second was Davy Morris (18) with 40 points, whilst third was M.J. Cullen (19) with 39 points.
The gross went to Mossy Connell (7) with 29 points. Category 1 was won by Joe Doyle (7) with 36points, Cat. 2 went to Ger Maher (14) with 35 points, and Cat. 3 was won by Eugene Killian (18, Mountain View), also with 35 points.
The ladies’ prize went to current club Captain, Marie Therese Wall, with another 35 points.
Even with the Jimmy Bruen qualifiers taking place, the singles stableford competition on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18, was run off in a very efficient manner (plaudits to Competition Secretary, Donal Hosey).
Again scoring was top class with Paul Cleary (9) and Martin Kehoe (10) both bringing in 41 points ,but Cleary took the winner’s spot by virtue of a better back nine. Derek Ronan played superb golf, scoring 38 points off a 2 handicap
The ultra-consistent Michael Ryan (+1) was the gross winner with a fine 38 points. Cat. 1 went to Alan Furness (3) with 34 points, Cat. 2 went to Jimmy Meggs (15) with 37 points, and Cat. 3 was won by Andy Culleton (19) with 35 points.
The club wishes to thank most sincerely all the sponsors who so generously contributed prizes for open week, without whom it could not function as successfully as it did.
It was back to more mundane matters on Tuesday with the open fourball holding centre stage. Two veterans in the persons of club Captain Peter Goggin (17) and Willie Whitty (17) took the honours with a great score of 38 points over the 14 holes played.
Second were Pat Whelan (17) and club President J.J. Hoyne (18) with 35 points. On the same score and in third place came another veteran pair, Jimmy Meggs (14) and John Murphy (17).
The competition continues every Tuesday evening but booking is advisable after 2 p.m.
NEW ROSS SENIORS
Twelve teams went out in perfect golfing weather on Thursday, with the morning temperatures more like what we are used to in Ireland, hovering around the 20 degrees mark. With the now lush fairways and fast greens, the course is in immaculate condition and high scores are the norm.
Going with the rota and the popular champagne scramble format (best drive and play your own ball on the par threes), all participants had a most enjoyable round of golf. In the end a three-person team with their six-point bonus beat off the rest of the field to emerge clear winners.
Putting together two halves of 49/46 plus six, there was no catching Tommy Ryan (14), Michael Lee (18) and Paul Laffan (21) who ended with 101 points. There was a tie for second place with two teams on 99 points, but a better back nine (47/45) gave the runners-up spot to John Hosey (14), John Fitzpatrick (18), Frank Boyle (20) and John Joe Murray (21).
Another three-person team composed of Hughie O’Connor (17), Willie Kelly (18) and Billy Redmond (21) finished third, also scoring 99 points.
Only one nearest the pin was registered and that on the ninth hole, with the prize going to Tommy Ryan.
We have no game next week as it is open singles but we are back on Thursday, July 6.
The timesheet is now out for the Autumn Seniors Alliance in Callan on Monday, July 10, with €500 in prizes, and you can book a time by phoning or texting Jamesie Murphy on 085-1846172 as soon as possible as the demand for spaces has increased. New Ross will host the August outing on the 21st.
PAULINE’S SOCIETY
The weather man intervened on June 10 to prevent our outing to Enniscorthy, with a deluge of rain on the previous night causing the course to be closed.
Hopefully we should be able to take to the fairways of St. Helen’s Bay on Saturday, July 8, at 10 a.m. The usual list of those intending to play is posted in the bar, and the new system of making the draw will apply on the morning of the outing.
First come, first away at the appointed starting tee-time. A gentle reminder to those who have not already paid their membership subscription: July 1 remains the deadline. We are hoping to see many members there on the morning to enjoy this testing course.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Marie Therese Wall was blessed with glorious weather for her lady Captain’s prize. The course was resplendent in all its glory so there was no excuse for anyone not enjoying themselves!
The first day ended with lots of ladies bunched around the early 70s, leaving the field wide open for Saturday’s challenge. The winning scores were kept closely guarded to the last moment which added to the excitement.
When all was revealed the prize winners were greeted with great aplomb and best wishes. Mary Maher, the outright winner, was clearly delighted to have captured a major prize. Well done Mary!
Marie Therese put lots of thought and effort into selecting a beautiful painting as her prize and adding a fabulously varied range of prizes for runners-up. Goodie bags for competitors were sponsored by Molloy’s SuperValu, so thank you folks for that gesture.
Results: 1, Mary Maher (16), 144; 2, Sheila Wade (31), 146; gross, Liz Bennett, 175; 3, Margaret Furlong (15), 147 (last nine); 4, Anne O’Grady (29), 147; 5, Breda McManus (23), 149 (last 18); 6, Margaret Rossiter (30), 149; 7, Eileen Wallace (29), 149; past Captain (13), 150; committee prize, Mary Rose Ryan (34), 153; first 18, Ann Banville (24), 72; second 18, Rita Furlong (33), 70; Category 29-36, Mary Dungan (34), 150.
On Thursday the mixed team event was very well supported with lots of teams trying their luck by re-entering.
Results: 1, Ned Fenlon, Ann Fenlon and Mary Finn, 44 points; 2, Jo Kelly, Martin Forristal and Mary Shannon, 44 points; 3, John Howlin, Paula Reidy and Rita Furlong, 44 points.
On Wednesday, June 28, the Countess of Granard foursomes will be run off. This competition is sponsored by Vale Oil. Booking is open online and there are no draws.
Please add your names to the list in the locker room if you wish to play in the Kathleen Pyne fourball matchplay. Entry is €5 each and the closing date is July 2. The appeal for help with Junior camp continues! Please add your name to this lists in the bar if you can spare a morning between July 3 and 7.
Lady Captain’s charity day at the moment is scheduled for Friday, July 7. Booking is online and the proceeds go to MS Ireland. The format is a two-person team event and it’s €10 for members and €15 for visitors, sponsored by ESET Ireland.
The Boyne team beat a very strong Thurles in a home and away match on Tuesday, June 20. The heat at the inland venue made the going tough and New Ross had to dig deep to edge ahead.
At home there was great jubilation when Teresa Foley chipped into the hole on 18 for an eagle. The Tipp girls had to surrender to that super finish! Well done to all involved.
On Tuesday, June 27, the Intermediate team travels to Bunclody to face Wicklow in the quarter-finals of their league. The match starts at 3 p.m. and all support would be very welcome at this important stage. Best of luck girls.
Next Sunday, July 2, while Wexford hurlers face Galway in Croker our Minor team square up to Wexford in Enniscorthy at 2.30 p.m.
Mary Dowling made it to the final four at the Irish Women’s Close Championship in Mullingar on Sunday. Her semi-final match against Ciara Casey (Hermitage) went to the wire with Mary losing sadly on 17.
She had seen off Maria Dunne (Skerries), the Irish Women’s Strokeplay champion for 2017, on Saturday in a four and three finish. Commiserations Mary, we are very proud of you.
ENNISCORTHY LADIES
The first major competition of the season was held on Tuesday, June 20. It was our President, Jim Hogan’s, prize to the ladies stroke competition.
It was a fantastic day to play golf with beautiful sunshine and the course in immaculate condition which brought in amazing scores.
Results: 1, Fionnuala Killalea (25), 69 nett; 2, Ursula Cousins (14), 71 (back nine); gross, Ciara Sharkey (4), 79 gross; 3, Dorothy Kenny (22), 71 nett; 4, Catherine Lawless (18), 74 nett; 5, Margaret Mooney (9), 75 nett; Senior, Anne Nolan (20), 76 nett; 36 handicap, Marie Carter (36), 80 nett; front nine, Julie McCarthy (17), 33.5; back nine, Pauline Murphy (30), 35; nine-hole qualifier, Ann Bernie, 14 points.
Next week’s competition is sponsored by Flowers by Grace and is a singles stableford.
Our ladies’ teams are still very much to the fore with our Senior foursomes playing Castlecomer in Gowran on Wednesday, June 28, at 4 p.m., and the Revive Active team playing Gowran (three away and two home) on Saturday, July 1, at 3 p.m.
Best of luck to managers, players and caddies. Please come along to support the girls!
Keep up to date with activities and results by following us on facebook.com/enniscorthygolfclub.com, Twitter @enniscorthygolf, or Instagram (enniscorthygolfclub).
BUNCLODY LADIES
June 3-9, Australian Spoons:
Margaret Moore (10), 31 points.
June 10, 11 and 13, third monthly medal: 1, Ann Cowman (29), 71 nett; 2, Margaret Moore (10), 78 nett; gross, Lucy Healy (13), 95 gross; 3, Lisa O’Leary (24), 79 nett.
June 17, 18 and 20, Valerie Doyle competition: 1, Linda Byrne (11), 40 points; 2, Beatrice Ensor (27), 39 points; 3, Frances Crean (22), 38 points; Category 1-18, Linda Byrne (11), 40 points; Category 19-18, Beatrice Ensor (27), 39 points; Category 29-36, Monica Mernagh, 26 points.
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole competition: 1, John Fitzpatrick (16), 21 points; 2, Mark Miskella (6), 20 points; 3, Paul Hayden (13), 20 points, holding off Anthony Fortune (14) on countback.
Matchplay first round: Mark Doran beat Peter Byrne. June medal (strokeplay from back tees): gold, Ed Walsh (12), 79; silver, Eugene O’Brien Snr. (12), 81; bronze, Kevin Byrne (21), 91; lowest gross score, Trevor Davis (6), 78. Ladies’ June medal: 1, Emer Kohlmann (8), 31 points; 2, Tracy Hutton (34), 30 points; 3, Carole Wortmann (21), 27 points.
COURTOWN
1, Alice Druhan (22) and
Open week and ladies’ day on Tuesday brought visitors galore from various clubs. The format was single stableford.
The day was perfect in every way for golf and we hope everybody enjoyed their experience on the course. The sponsor was McGuire Jewellers and the prizes were fantastic.
Courtown ladies value the support and wish to thank Eric McGuire for his continued sponsorship. The competition scratch was 72 and the winners (all from Courtown) were: 1, Eleanor Shanley (28), 42 points; 2, Sorcha Howell (4), 41 points; gross, Sarah Donnellan (7), 32 points; 3, Cecilia O’Riordan (26), 38 points; 4, Elaine Murphy (26), 37 points on countback.
The nine-hole was won by Anne Kearney (36/18) with 19 points, and second was Jo O’Hara (33/16) with 18 points. Congratulations to all our winners.
Tuesday also saw the finale of the Get Into Golf programme for this year. The ladies who took part were treated to a reception in the clubhouse to mark the end of the programme.
These ladies took part in a ten-week course of skills and on-course instruction following an initiative compiled by C.I.G.I. Helen Cole and Jo O’Hara organised and oversaw the running of the ten-week session.
They put a huge amount of work and organisation into ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Thank you ladies for all your hard work.
This venture introduces ladies and gents to the game with some skills coaching and mentoring to allow participants decide if golf is really for them. This is the third year that Courtown has run the programme.
ENNISCORTHY
Monday ladies’ and gents’ open, singles stableford, June 19, sponsored by E.G.C. (standard scratch 35 points; 43 played): 1, Adam Jordan (7), 38 points; 2, Eoin Mullarkey (12), 36 points; 3, Eugene Parker (14), 34 points.
Nine-hole midweek, singles stableford, June 21, sponsored by Tom Kirwan (97 played): overall, Pat Sullivan (20), 23 points; Category A, James Morrissey (6), 21 points; Category B, James Horan (14), 21 points; Category C, Rajess Tirbhowan (16), 22 points; Category D, Richie Peare (26), 19 points (last three).
Next week’s sponsor is Jim Delaney. The presentation for all the June midweeks will be on June 28.
Two-person team, June 23, sponsored by Ballyhuskard Conservatories: 1, Margaret Crotty (29) and Mary Murphy (23), 51 points; 2, Rory O’Connor (17) and Michael Redmond (21), 48 points; 3, Tom Cummins (18) and Meta Cummins (29), 47 points.
Fourball stableford, June 24 and 25 (78 played), sponsored by Londis Tomnalossett (Sirco): 1, Con Fleming (18) and Barry Bolger (15), 45 points; 2, Garry Fortune (14) and Rory O’Connor (15), 44 points (back nine); 3, Eunan Doyle (9) and James Morrissey (5), 44 points (back six).
Our Provincial Towns team advanced to the semi-finals with a great win over a tough Borris team. Eunan Doyle and Denis Dunne had wins away. Seán Hegarty, Jim Mackey and Davy Murphy all won at home with Eddie Doyle and Shane Fortune being called in whilst leading.
Declan Byrne and James Foley lost tough battles in Borris. The team is managed by John Byrne and Tim Morrissey. The next match is against Newbridge with five away and four at home.
Our Senior Cup team lost a tight match against Carlow 3-2. Dayle Donohoe and Jason Rackard won their games. Graham Donohoe, Maurice Donohoe and David Mernagh put in a great effort but unfortunately came out second best.
Hard luck to the players and to their manager, Eddie Doyle. An interesting feature to note is that this team had a father and two sons playing on the team together.
The Brennan Cup team lost by three games to two in Woodbrook. Hard luck to all concerned.
If you can at all, please come along and offer your support to our teams that are chasing provincial honours.
For the full report please look at the club website in the news section.