ONtheFAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
To celebrate our 21st birthday (1996-2017) we went on our now annual trip to the magnificent Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort last week.
We were received like long lost friends and our every need both in the hotel and pro shop were looked after with supreme hospitality. Our thanks to Helen Leddy and the staff who couldn’t do enough for us.
A small damper on the proceedings was the weather since that part of Tipperary endured torrential rain up to and over the weekend, making conditions rather unpleasant with heavy showers following on.
Day one saw us tackle the championship Ballykisteen course which was playing long and heavy. In a champagne scramble format, it was a tense affair with the first three teams scoring 92, 91 and 90 points respectively.
There was even a stewards’ enquiry into the result where our chief steward of other years, Denis Kirwan, was sorely missed in his expert-making conclusions - a speedy recovery Denis from your recent operation.
In a Solomon-like verdict it was decided to split the pot as the runners-up lost PK midway through the round and they claimed extra points because of his loss. However, the result stood as shown and Jimmy Ryan (17), Tony Sexton (22) and Jamesie Murphy (24) with 92 points took the bragging rights.
Second-placed Pat Traynor (16), John Murphy (17), Pat Kehoe (22) and Martin Burke (26) with 91 points put in an objection but this was over-ruled by a majority decision. Third were Seán Furlong (11), Larry Shannon (20), Tom Kent (26) and George Peters (26).
Heavy overnight rain saw the Ballykisteen course closed on Wednesday but, through the great efforts of resident professional Marian Riordan, we got booked into Tipperary G.C. - a splendid set-up.
Their professional, Daire McComb, a man with New Ross connections, deserves our thanks since he got the group places on the timesheet even though there was a big ladies’ competition and a men’s cup final taking place morning and afternoon.
Once again, our hardy veterans played exceptionally well here, recording some fine scores. Jimmy Ryan (17), Larry Shannon (20) and John Joe Murray (21) romped home in first place, scoring 92 points (86 + 6).
A four-person team comprising John Murphy (17), Jamesie Murphy (24), Tom Kent (26) and Martin Burke (26) finished second with 87 points
So, it was once again with fond memories and the great camaraderie between the travelling group that our 21st birthday was all that it promised to be and something we can reminisce about in the long winter months ahead.
This Thursday (September 21) we have no game as the club monthly scramble is on. All players please note that in order to give high handicappers a chance, the Captain, Peter Goggin, has changed the format to that of a champagne scramble. Book in online if you want a game. We’ll be back as usual on September 28.
ROSSLARE
A total of 48 teams competed in the second annual ProAm on Saturday week with two shotgun starts - morning and afternoon. Despite a strong north-westerly wind, scoring was very good with nine of the professionals breaking par.
There were three players on three under par 69: Damian Mooney, a regular winner on this circuit; Tim Rice, whose father, Bill, started his golfing life in Rosslare in the early sixties; and the former ladies’ European tour player from Carlow, Tara Delaney.
On two under par were Richard Kilpatrick and Michael McGeady, with Damien McGrane, Ciarán Molloy, David Higgins and Brian McCormack all on 71.
The winning team was led by Denis O’Sullivan, father of our professional Jamie, with three amateurs from Tulfarris: Patrick Barrett, Stephen Luas and Clement Hehir.
Other results: 2, Damian Mooney, Liam and Willie Ennis, Niall Gallagher; 3, David Ryan, Brendan O’Neill, Jim Harty, Jim McCleane; 4, Liam Bowler, Nick Reville, Louis Flanagan, Laurence Gainfort; 5, Cain McNamara, Derek Wickham, Dermot Walsh, Thomas Rowe.
Once again the Pro-Am was sponsored by Kelly’s Resort Hotel and Bill Kelly was one of the main speakers at the presentation. Other speakers were Captain Paddy Lonergan, President John Furlong, lady Captain Doreen McGovern, and Secretary of the P.G.A., Michael McCumisky.
Once again, two local charities benefited from the Pro-Am: St. Patrick’s Special Needs School and Wexford Hospice Homecare.
On Sunday week the singles was sponsored by Trinity Motors. The winner with 39 points was Bob Quilty (10). Bob had birdies at the 14th and 16th in halves of 20 and 19 to beat Stephen Carey (17) by three shots.
Paud O’Brien (3) won the gross and Matt Grogan (20) was the veterans’ winner. Eamonn O’Rourke (15) won the customers’ prize.
Wednesday singles: 1, Paud O’Brien, 38 points; 2, John Scott, 37 points; 3, Thomas Rowe, 36 points.
The Irish Seniors (Over-55) Home Internationals takes place in Rosslare on September 26, 27 and 28. Some of the top internationals from former years will be on the show.
ROSSLARE LADIES
Last Tuesday was a fourball competition. Club Choice Ireland was running their Gourmet Golf Classic (where they go to a few clubs and scoff gorgeous food) in Rosslare that day.
We hope they enjoyed themselves on our course, but tee-times were at a premium and everyone had to head out early. The regular early risers were at their best.
Mary Kelleher and Marianne Brennan, best pals, whose beds are nearly beside the first tee, came first with a whopping 44 points. More best pals came second: Niamh Byrne and Vandra Deacon.
The competition was sponsored by Lloyd’s Pharmacy, Rosslare, and Ann-Marie Fogarty from Concha Y Toro Wines.
The proceeds from the day are going to the charity ‘ASK’. We would like to thank Frank Staples who is working tirelessly on behalf of this worthy charity, trying to help prevent suicide.
Rosslare Golf Club is hosting the Seniors Home Internationals on September 25-28. It will be a wonderful opportunity to support our Irish team and experience quality matchplay. All are welcome to watch.
In the meantime our regular Tuesday golf will be a stableford competition on the Burrow course on September 26.
Tuesday, September 12, fourball, sponsored by Lloyd’s Pharmacy and Ann-Marie Fogarty, Concha Y Toro Wines: 1, Mary Kelleher (19/17) and Marianne Brennan (19/17), 44 points; 2, Niamh Byrne (8/7) and Vandra Deacon (15/14), 43 points (back nine); 3, Eileen Doyle (20/18) and Eileen Jackson (30/27), 43 points (back nine).
Burrow course, twelve-hole competition: 1, Kathleen Barry (31/21), 20 points (back six).
WEXFORD LADIES
Twenty-seven ladies played in the Seniors’ competition on Monday, September 11.
Results: 1, Pat Flanagan (30), 30 (back seven); 2, Martina Dempsey (19), 30; 3, Sally O’Neill (20), 26.
Last Thursday’s competition (September 14), was an 18-hole strokes sponsored by Pamela Scott.
Results: 1, Geraldine Draper (27), 69; 2, Madge Murphy (19), 70; 3, Deirdre Colfer (24), 71.
The gross winner was Carmel Murphy (8) with a score of 79. Pat Flanagan (30) won the Senior prize with 75.
The nine-hole winner was Michelle Winters O’Neill (17) with 18 points. Nearest the pin on the ninth hole was Louise Boshoff with 6m 78cm.
Last Thursday (September 14) there was a table quiz held as a fundraiser for the Minor Cup team which is playing in the I.L.G.U. All-Ireland finals in Belfast.
It was a great night of fun and €1,700 was raised. Thank you to everyone who took part in the quiz, to the sponsors, to those who gave prizes for the raffle, and to the organisers.
To have our club progress to the All-Ireland finals is a big achievement, and it would be great if we could give the Minor Cup team as much support as possible.
If anyone is interested in travelling by bus to Malone golf course in Belfast on Thursday, September 28, for the first match, please contact lady Vice-Captain Patricia.
If there is a sufficient number interested, consideration will be given to subsidising the bus. An early start of 6 a.m. is likely, but if the Mid Leinster finals in Tramore are anything to go by then it will be a great day of camaraderie and excitement.
ST. HELEN’S LADIES
Combined Wednesday and Saturday, September 13 and 16, open singles stableford (standard scratch Wednesday: 74; standard scratch Saturday: 72): 1, Janet Slattery (19), 34 points; 2, Nora Kavanagh (14), 33 points; 3, Ann Byrne (25), 32 points.
Sunday, September 17, open singles stableford (standard scratch: 75): 1, Rionach Donlon (Rathfarnham, 22), 27 points; 2, Patricia Williams (36), 26 points; 3, Siobhán Noonan (35), 26 points.
Fixtures: Wednesday, September 20, open Seniors 50+ gents and ladies; Saturday, September 23, open singles stableford fun golf, ladies off yellow and gents off red tees; Sunday, September 24, singles stableford, gents and ladies, hampers; Wednesday, September 27, open singles stableford, ladies and gents; Saturday, September 30, club outing, venue TBA, open singles stableford, gents and ladies; Sunday, October 1, open singles stableford, gents and ladies (Wednesday/Sunday competition); Wednesday, October 4, open singles stableford, gents and ladies (Wednesday/Saturday competition).
TAGHMON SOCIETY
The society played Gowran on August 19, and 25 players turned up on a day of frequent showers, with the waterproofs coming on and off regularly. That didn’t deter some from bringing in some good scores.
The honours went to young Matthew Doyle with a fantastic score of 44, a clear four points above everyone else - great shooting.
Results: 1, Matthew Doyle (17), 44; 2, Seamus McLoughlin (26), 40; 3, Peter Marshall (14), 39; Cat. 1, Edward Cousins (5), 35; Cat. 2, Brendan Doyle (20), 36; Cat. 3, Noel Wall (25), 31; front nine, Seán Sexton (14), 22; back nine, Nicky Cousins (14), 18 (back six); nearest the pin: ninth, Brendan Doyle, 19’4”; 16th, Nicky Cousins (13’8”); visitor, Liam Walsh.
After the game we headed back to the Horse and Hound Hotel in Ballinaboola, our sponsors for the day, for the dinner and prize presentation. Speaking of horses, our old warhorse, Noel Wall, brought along an oat-filled horse of his own on the day.
There were three winners of the twos club, namely David Curtin, Donie O’Brien and Jimmy O’Leary, winning €15 each. Martin Delaney was the winner of our lottery bonus ball.
The next outing is in the distant Rathsallagh G.C. on September 23. This will be the first trip to this course for the society, so maps and satnavs at the ready lads.
Tee-times start at 9 a.m. until 10.50 a.m. Horan’s pub in Baltinglass is the location for the dinner. As usual let a committee member know whether you are playing or not. Bring along a friend as a visitor.