ONtheFAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
We had a big turn-out of 13 teams for our weekly competition on Thursday in benign weather conditions, with overcast skies but little or no wind.
Underfoot, there was a big change ranging from yielding to good. We finished dry but rather cold, and the steaming hot coffee was very welcome in the clubhouse.
We had the old bane of slow play once again rearing its ugly head. Some teams were guilty of that, leading to less enjoyment of the game for those behind them.
Remember the old adage in golf: ‘Your place is behind the group in front, not in front of the group behind you’. A lesson should be learned for future events.
With the format we have, champagne scramble, all teams should complete their round well within the time limit, especially during these cold winter conditions.
Once again, we had a tight finish with only one point separating the winning team from the runners-up.
Taking the accolades and first prize with a fantastic score of 102 points were Jim ‘Ross’ Ryan (18), Aidan O’Connor (20), Kenny Irwin (22) and Dick Cahill (25).
Pipped at the post were Andy Ronan (18), Dan Quigley (20), Frank Boyle (23) and Jim ‘Dublin’ Ryan with 101 points. Third place with 97 points after a countback went to Tony Redmond (18), Martin Forristal (20), Jamesie Wallace (22) and Seán O hUginn (25).
Nearest the pin prizes were won by Dick Cuddihy on the ninth hole and Pat Traynor on the eleventh.
Remember, the draw time for teams is at 10.40 a.m. each Thursday, so be in good time.
BUNCLODY
January 27-February 2, men’s re-entry singles: 1, Michael Cowman (19), 30 points; 2, Chris Francis (19), 28 points (back nine); gross, Clive Murphy (6), 24 points; 3, Pat St. Ledger (13), 28 points (back six).
ROSSLARE LADIES
Saturday, January 25, fourball, 14 holes: 1, Doreen McGovern and Margie O’Connor, 33 points; 2, Susan Evans and Angela Murphy, 32 points.
We had a great turn-out for our waltzing rumble competition on Tuesday, January 28, in lovely sunny and dry conditions.
Results: 1, Claire McCormack, Margaret Scallan, Mary Kavanagh, 61 points; 2, Paula Stafford, Chris White, Jane O’Shea, 59 points.
Saturday, February 1, fourball, 14 holes: 1, Paula O’Leary (12) and Margie O’Connor (21), 32 points; 2, Stephanie Glynn (26) and Ann Connolly (32), 32 points.
Tuesday, February 4, 14 holes single stableford: 1, Joan Radford (38), 30 points; 2, Margaret Scallan (31), 28 points; 3, Stephanie Glynn (26), 28 points; 4, Val Mernagh (14), 28 points; 5, Mary Kavanagh (36), 27 points.
It was great to see some of our new full lady members featuring on Tuesday. Iit is hopefully a great start to their year. Well done.
Thursday, February 6, Senior ladies: 1, Kitty Roche (19), 31 points; 2, Val Mernagh (14), 30 points; 3, Doreen McGovern (11), 26 points; 4, Angela Murphy (11), 26 points.
Saturday saw the start to the winter league, sponsored by Wright Insurance Brokers. It will be run over seven weeks, with single stableford and fourball competitions, while the final day will be a scramble.
Storm Ciara did not stop our members going out. We had a great turn-out for the first day, playing single stableford over 14 holes. In spite of the very strong winds, scores of 30 points came in under these tough conditions.
We are launching a Junior golf programme on Monday, February 24, at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse, and all boys and girls under the age of 16 are very welcome.
Our Junior Captains, Aimee and Donal, will be there to give you a warm welcome, and we will have plenty of information on our club’s plans for a very busy year and active Junior programme for 2020.
We will have a Ladies in Golf programme again this year, so keep an eye out for information over the next couple of weeks.
NEW ROSS LADIES
February 5 results: 1, Helen Turner (29), 31 points; 2, Anto Rogers (32), 27 points; 3, Eileen Wallace (29), 25 points (26 – 1, last seven).
Wednesday, February 12, is a 14-hole v. par, sponsored by the club.
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole competition (mixed): 1, Darren Dardis (5), 22 points; 2, Kevin Byrne (20), 22 points; 3, Tom Doolan (12), 21 points.
The adverse weather meant that the course was closed on Sunday, so the weekend singles stableford (mixed) was confined to Saturday morning.
Tom Doolan again coped best in the 15-hole format (holes 13, 14 and 17 were excluded), and won with a score of 36 points.
Colm Stafford with 34 points held off Jake O’Shea on countback for second place.
NEW ROSS
The weekend saw the arrival of Storm Ciara and resulted in many sporting events being called off due to the very high winds and torrential rain that hammered the country from Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
Our weekend competition fell foul of the weather, so the final round of the winter league has been re-scheduled for next weekend.
As a result, this report is quite short, but there is a long and hopefully enjoyable season opening up as we move through spring and into summer which will require many more column inches in 2020.
ROSSLARE
Congratulations to Ger Doyle who holed out his second shot at the par four index one eleventh hole on his way to winning the 14-hole singles (lamb) on Sunday.
Second on 30 points was John Bolger (17), with Jim Goggin (12) third on 30 points, and Eamonn O’Rourke (14) fourth on the same score.
Fourteen-hole fourball (lambs): 1, John Galvin (9), Keith Deacon (11), 35 points; 2, John Barron (8), Kevin Foran (12), 33 points.
WEXFORD LADIES
Monday, February 3, Senior ladies’ 14 holes single stableford competition (35 played): 1, Mary Burke (35/27), 33 points; 2, Carmel Murphy (9/7), 26 points (back seven); 3, Pauline O’Neill (35/27), 26 points (back seven); 4, Bridget O’Neill (31/24), 26 points (back five); 5, Yvonne MacSweeney (13/10), 25 points (back seven).
Saturday and Thursday, February 1 and 6 (55 played), 14 holes single stableford: 1, Bernadette Boland (25/19), 32; 2, Marguerite Murphy (32/25), 31; 3, Bridget Furlong (31/24), 30; 4, Sally O’Neill (19/15), 29; nine-hole (nine played), Mary Robinson (22/11), 15 (back three); nearest the pin, Carmel Murphy, 1m 11cms. Well done to all the prize-winners.
This week’s competition is a 14 holes single stableford. Please note there will be two new ladies’ competition slots available on Saturday afternoons from February 15.
All members are invited to attend a talk in the clubhouse with Elaine Dowdall and Aisling O’Leary tonight (Tuesday, February 11) at 7.30 p.m. They will give tips for practising, game play and match play.
Whether you are looking to improve your game, pick up some tips, or just catch up with everyone for a chat, your support on the night would be very much appreciated. Names for team coaching and practice will be taken after the talk.
See the notice board in the locker room in relation to volunteers required for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open from May 28 to 31.
The modern jive dance class continues on Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the clubhouse. The instructor is Fran Cullen and the classes will be on for the next five weeks, every Friday night.
The cost is €10 per night, and just turn up on the night to learn something new in a fun atmosphere. All are welcome.
Please note that the Wexford Ladies’ Alliance will be playing in Wexford Golf Club on Monday, February 17, between 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.
There will be Senior ladies’ slots available from 9 to 9.45 a.m., and from 2 to 2.30 p.m.
COURTOWN
The Wednesday sweep on February 5 was won by Colin Breen (6) with 32 points (last nine).
Alan Lawlor (19) was second, also on 32 points. Keith Reid (11) was third with 29 points, while Martin Byrne (17) was fourth on 28 points (last hole).
The monthly Seniors’ open took place on Thursday, February 6, and was won by John Leader (28) with 30 points on a countback.
Category A was won by Ian McGirr (6) on 30 points, while Category B was won by Eamonn Byrne (14) with 27 points, and Category C went to Pat Noonan (22), also with 27 points.
The gents’ singles competition held on Saturday, February 8, was won by Robert Hogan (18) on 30 points (-1 winter cut).
Second was Jim Peppard (20) on 27 points (-1 winter cut), while third was Les Masterson (19) with 25 points (countback). Ciarán Sheridan (1) won the gross prize with 24 points.
Due to a weather-related course closure, there was no competition held on Sunday, February 9.
Next Saturday will be the finals of the EBS Colman Doyle Finance Ltd.-sponsored winter league, with the top four pairings in each of the five sections taking part in the final itself, and all other teams playing in the plate competition.
The day’s play will be followed by the winter league dinner and presentation of prizes in the clubhouse where members will be also be entertained by a guest speaker.
Next Saturday and Sunday will also feature an any combination fourball competition.
The club is holding a special ‘Leap Into Spring’ night on Saturday, February 29, with a three-course dinner and music together with a welcoming glass of Prosecco on arrival, on offer for an incredible price of €27. Booking is essential, and enquiries can be made through the restaurant or bar.
COOLLATTIN
Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2, 15-hole open men’s singles (winter league): 1, Neil Fitzgerald (16), 33 points (countback); 2, Seán O’Brien (6), 33 points (countback); gross, Martin O’Neill (0), 30 points; 3, Paddy Myers (13), 33 points.
WEXFORD
Tuesday, February 4, club Seniors’ singles: 1, Billy Roche (22), 35 points; 2, Tim McGrath (27), 34 points (back seven); 3, Bernard Ruttledge (23), 34 points.
Wednesday, February 5, 14-hole singles: 1, Jackie Molloy, 34 points; 2, David Byrne (13), 33 points; 3, Richie Buggy (17), 32 points; veterans’ prize, Michael Swan, 31 points.
Friday, February 7, open three-person team stableford event: 1, Larry O’Neill (5), Peter Byrne (5), Tom Foran (13), 68 points; 2, Dermot Breen (10), Jim Turner (7), Ed Goff (14), 68 points (back seven).
Saturday, February 8, 14-hole fourball v. par: 1, Roy Sexton (7) and Chris Grant (14), nine up; 2, Declan Furlong (8) and Declan Roche (13), eight up.
The course was closed on Sunday thanks to Storm Ciara, and consequently the winter league was postponed.
In the lead in the team event after the fourth weekly competition are Adare Manor with 469 points, just two ahead of Portmarnock on 467 points.
The K Club and County Down share third spot as both are on 456 points. These are closely followed by Portrush on 452 and Fota Island on 451.
Other placings are: Old Head 448 points, Ballybunion and European Club, both with 447 points, Palmerstown 444 points, Mount Juliet 432 points, and finally Lahinch on 398 points.
It is tight at the top, with the best four scores from seven players counting each week, and with only two weekly competitions remaining, the pressure is on.
In the individual section, the current leader after four competitions is Richard O’Rourke with 125 points, followed by John Hammond (123), David Farrell (121), Brian Kirwan (120), and Andrew Farrell (119).
Again, these scores are very close, with the best four cards from six competitions counting. There are only two events remaining.
Every player will be trying to better his worst score to date to have it discarded.
Do you want to get into the swing for the weekend? Then please note that the weekly modern jive dance class by Fran Cullen will take place for this week only on Thursday in the clubhouse at 8 p.m.
This will give those wanting to impress their partners on Valentine’s night, which is this coming Friday, every chance to be foot perfect for the occasion.
The Joker jackpot was not won at the weekend. The winner of the weekly draw was Clara McDonald. The jackpot will be €795 next week.