ONtheFAIRWAYS
ROSSLARE LADIES
It was great to see sunshine for the Captains’ drive-in on Sunday, having been postponed one week earlier due to weather conditions.
Best wishes to Captain Jimmy and lady Captain Norrie, Junior boys’ Captain Niall and girls’ Captain Mary Kate for 2018.
Tuesday, March 13, team of three, yellow ball competition: 1, Valerie Doyle (10/8), Dorcas Maher (17/14), Eleanor O’Connor (18/15), 93 points; 2, Anne Kelly (18/15 - 3), Molly Cash (20/17 - 1), Gráinne Dunphy (25/21), 87 points (back seven).
Tuesday, March 20, singles stableford, sponsored by Liam Riordan: 1, Anne Gaynor (23/22), 35 points; 2, Sheila Crosbie (13/12), 33 points; 3, Rosalind Kilduff (23/22), 32 points; 4, Bernie Riordan (27/26), 31 points (back eight); 5, Karen O’Keeffe (25/24), 31 points; 6, Breda Devoy (23/22), 30 points.
Thursday, March 22, Seniors, 16 holes: 1, Paula O’Leary (12), 23 points; 2, Val Mernagh (14), 25 points - 2.
WEXFORD
Our four Captains for this year had their drive-in on Sunday. A large crowd turned out to see club Captain Jackie Lynn, lady Captain Patrica Hanton, Junior boys’ Captain Ben MacAleese, and Junior girls’ Captain Aibheen Cullinane, hit perfect drives from the first tee-box.
A very sociable evening followed, with most of the big crowd retiring to the ‘19th’.
Our first major men’s competition took place over the weekend, with the lady Captain’s prize to the men.
The winner with a score of 42 points was Michael Fortune. Second place went to Bobby Cummins with 40 points (back nine).
Third place went to Larry Forrestal, also on 40 points (back nine). Seán Flood was the winner of the gross prize, with the vets.’ prize going to Pat Mahon on 38 points. Our thanks to lady Captain Patrica Hanton for her lovely prizes.
Wednesday’s competition was a 14-hole singles. The winner with 28 points (back six) was Mark Codd, with Shane Jenkins in second place, also on 28 points, and Roy Sexton on a similar score in third place.
Friday’s competition was an open team event over 14 holes. The winning team with 66 points featured Nigel Morrissey, Michael Browne and Seán Farrell.
The Seniors’ Tuesday 15 holes singles was won by Seán O’Keeffe with 35 points. In second place and beginning to show his true form was Joe Hall with 33 points, and third place went to Pat Kavanagh with 31 points.
There is a Ping fitting day on this Tuesday in the club. For details contact the Pro Shop.
Our assistant professional, Darren, had, according to informed sources, a significant birthday during the week. The young man himself refused to divulge his age.
The latest winner of the Joker draw was Kay Hand. This week’s jackpot will be almost €1,700, and all members are asked to support this fundraising effort, with all profits going to course development.
We would like to send best wishes to Pat Gately who has recently retired. We hope to see Pat back on the golf course in the not too distant future, putting all his new-found putting skills to good use.
Next weekend’s competition is an 18-hole singles sponsored by Arachas Insurance.
RATHASPECK MANOR
The Rathaspeck Manor Golf Society held their A.G.M. on Sunday in the clubhouse.
Mick Cleere, the outgoing Captain, was warmly thanked and proceeded to welcome Jim Noctor as the incoming Captain for 2018.
Following a very long, cold and wet winter, the Society’s calendar tees off next weekend with a fourball, followed the next weekend by the free sub competition.
Society membership remains unchanged at €70, and any interested golfers out there are more than welcome to join by contacting Secretary Mick Cuddihy on 086-3847609, or any committee member.
Competitions are held on a regular basis, with the annual matchplay and three away outings to be arranged by committee members Kevin Sheil and Mark Fenlon.
On competition weekends, members will meet at 8.30 a.m. on either Saturday or Sunday and will be randomly picked to play in three balls.
Commitee: Captain, Jim Noctor; Secretary/Treasurer, Mick Cuddihy; committee: J. Noctor, M. Cuddihy, K. Sheil, B. Walshe, M. Cleere, M. Fenlon; away outing committee: K. Sheil and M. Fenlon.
Wishing all members and prospective members a great golfing year.
WEXFORD LADIES
Senior competition, Monday, March 12: 1, Carmel Murphy (8), 25 points; 2, Louise Boshoff (16), 24 points.
As the course was closed last Monday (March 19), there was no Seniors competition.
Twelve-hole singles stableford competition on Saturday and Thursday, March 17 and 22, sponsored by Carmel Murphy, Louise Boshoff, Liz D’Arcy and Mary McMahon: 1, Ena O’Donoghue (31), 26 points; 2, Anna O’Sullivan (19), 23 points (back six); 3, Wendy Tiernan (21), 23 points; 4, Bernie Power (28), 22 points (back six).
Next week’s competition is an 18-hole singles stableford sponsored by Martin’s Jewellers.
In conjunction with the Captains’ drive-in and lady Captain’s prize to the men, which took place on Sunday, there was a ladies’ nine-hole singles stableford competition in the afternoon, also sponsored by the lady Captain.
The winner was Therese Glasheen with a score of 18 points. Well done to all who played and good luck to all our Captains for the season ahead.
Best of luck to our Minor Cup team which plays Waterford in St. Helen’s Bay on Wednesday, March 28, starting at 1.30 p.m. Your support would be very much appreciated.
If you are available to support the Women in Golf programme this year (Monday evenings from May-July), please give your name to Geraldine Broaders (087-6375526), as the rota is currently being prepared.
Also, if you have any family members or friends with children who wish to take up golf, please advise them of our Junior Academy.
Application forms are available in the Golf Club bar or office. The fee is €30 per year including coaching. More information if required is available from Yvonne MacSweeney by contacting the Golf Club.
Here’s hoping the sun will shine for the rest of the season.
ST. HELEN’S
Our Captains, Tommy and Verona, braved the snow, driven by swirling icy winds, on Sunday week as they hit two perfect drives off the first tee to herald the official opening of our 2018 golfing season.
Following the drive-in, the comfort of the cozy clubhouse was hurriedly sought where the waiting hot snacks and reviving drinks were most welcome. We look forward to an enjoyable and successful year on the fairways of St. Helen’s.
Wednesday, February 21, Wednesday club: 1, Gerry Byrne (13), 24 points; 2, John Lyons (21), 22 points; 3, Michael Vaughan (21), 21 points.
Wednesday, March 21, Wednesday club: 1, Michael Keating (25), 24 points; 2, Tommy Duggan (13), 23 points; 3, Shay Thornton (18), 21 points.
Saturday, March 24, complimentary eleven-hole sweep: 1, Jim Egan (23/14), 26 points (countback); 2, Pat O’Connor (3/2), 26 points; 3, Frank O’Kennedy (13/8), 24 points.
Winter league team: 1, Team Georgina; 2, Team Brian; 3, Team Simon.
Winter league individual: 1, Paul Monks (19/12), 27 points; 2, Brian Dalton (26/16), 23 points; 3, Chris Maddock (16/10), 23 points.
Sunday, March 25, eleven-hole singles: 1, Niall Ellard (5/3), 24 points; 2, Stephen Kearns (9/6), 23 points.
Fixtures: Wednesday, March 28, Wednesday club; Easter Saturday, March 31, Solheim/Ryder Cups; Easter Sunday, April 1, open singles stableford; Easter Monday, April 2, open three-person waltz.
64 SOCIETY
The 64 Golf Society outing to Powerscourt was held on Saturday, with 32 members playing plus two visitors on a day that was ideal for golf.
The course was in great condition for the time of year. The greens proved a little tougher to all, except the winner who mastered them quite well.
Results: 1, Niall Nolan (15), 40 points; 2, Pierce Dooley (18), 33 points; 3, Noel McCartan (11), 32 points (last nine); gross, Paddy D’eathe (10), 23 points; 4, Alan Gray (14) , 32 points; first nine, Les Masterson (19), 20 points; second nine, Paul McDonagh (15), 17 points.
Paddy D’eathe had the only two of the day at the 16th. At the presentation, the Captain, Jimmy Woods, thanked all those who helped to make the day a success. He especially thanked our sponsor, Paul Spencer of 64, for the wonderful array of prizes.
Our next outing is to Macreddin Golf Club on Saturday, April 14. Paddy O’Dowd and Paddy Dore lead the golfer of the year on 63 points, followed in third place by Brendan Travers on 59 points.
COURTOWN
After a few lean weeks on the course due to bad weather and snow storms, it certainly is good to be back with something to report.
The course was open again, well, at least 14 holes were, and that meant that we could hold our weekly competitions.
This week we will have the final day of the Wednesday sweep and the presentation of the Pascal Storan Trophy. The dinner is scheduled for 5.30 p.m.
Next Saturday we will have our Captains’ drive-in. This event had to be re-scheduled from March 18 due to the very severe weather on that weekend, and it will be a shotgun start due to start at 1.30 p.m.
There will be two competitions on both back and front nine respectively, and it will be a four-person mixed team event.
On Sunday we will have an invitation fourball, any combination, sponsored by Sanrose.
On Monday, April 2, which is the bank holiday, there will be an invitation four-person scramble.
The draw for the club matchplay competitions will take place in the clubhouse on Wednesday, April 4, following the first of our gents’ open singles.
Any member who wishes to take part in the matchplay competitions should place their entry fee in an envelope, write their name on the envelope, and place it in the box provided. Entry fees are as per usual, €5 for singles and €10 for fourball.
Wednesday sweep, March 21: 1, Craig Ashmore-Butler (20), 34 points; 2, Tom Ryan (21), 33 points; 3, Mark McGrath (21), 32 points; 4, Brian Hughes (14), 31 points (back nine).
Ladies’ and gents’ singles, Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25: 1, Michael O’Shaughnessy (22), 32 points; 2, Alan Gray (14), 30 points; 3, Alan Lawlor (18), 29 points (last nine); ladies: 1, Angela Merrigan (26), 30 points.
BALLYMONEY
Thankfully the spring finally arrived at long last and competitive golf returned to Ballymoney.
A well-attended singles stableford was played at the weekend. Winter rules are still in place but some very good scores were returned.
Troy Kenny (18) had a cracking round on Sunday morning and emerged winner with 44 points. Paul Doyle (13) was second with 41 points.
Stephen Greene (16) held off Ian Winters (15) for third place on countback with 38 points.
Well done to Ron Breen and his ground staff for keeping the course in great nick despite the atrocious weather we had all winter and spring thus far.
Best of luck to the team taking on Arklow next weekend in the All-Ireland fourball matchplay. Ballymoney are the home team and the winners will play Druids Glen.
NEW ROSS
Our competition for St. Patrick’s weekend was curtailed somewhat by the weather, but a total of 42 brave souls not watching the rugby match played on Saturday.
While the competition sponsors L&E Bradley Engineering were good to us, we can use their sponsorship on some other event.
The first of our Tuesday fourballs is due to commence on March 27. This is sponsored by Cllr. Fidelis Doherty.
We have a number of outstanding presentations, all of which are scheduled to take place after today’s fourball (March 27).
Any players who are due prizes in respect of the following competitions are asked to attend: winter league outing five on February 4; four-person waltz on February 11; 18-hole v. par on February 18; 18-hole strokeford on February 25.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Captains’ drive-in, sponsored by Creacon Wellness Retreat, New Ross: 1, Jimmy Ryan (17) and Adeline Fox (25), 69; 2, Willie Kielthy (16) and Teresa Foley (15), 71.5 (countback); 3, Eamon Dungan (5) and Anne Curtis (34), 71.5 (countback); 4, Tommy Liston (7) and Anne Curtis (Adm.), 71.5 (countback); 5, Steve Travis (19) and Ellen Howlett (33), 72.
The new Get Into Golf group is now full and, as there is a waiting list, names can be still taken in the Pro Shop to be put on this list. Thank you to all the club members who gave in names.
The first registration and information evening for the newcomers will take place on Wednesday, April 11, in the clubhouse at 7.30 p.m.
NEW ROSS SENIORS
‘The early bird catches the worm’, so the old saying goes, and it was never more apt than last Thursday when our earlier starting time paid rich dividends and all teams finished before the rains came.
True, there was no slow play in evidence as all kept pace with the group in front and everyone finished their round in about three and a half hours. There was no need for anyone to be put on the clock, as the weather forecast put the skids under all these Seniors.
There were several fancied teams in the line-up but some fell by the wayside, especially when it came to putting on the excellent greens, with a great surface for the time of year.
Underfoot it was good too with the last few fine days drying up the surface quite considerably, but there was a strong southerly wind reaching gale force at times which was of no help on most holes.
Wind or gale did not deter Jimmy ‘Ross’ Ryan (17), Larry Shannon (20), John F. Roche (21) and Tom O’Shea (24) from bringing in a great winning score of 96 points.
Second on 91 points came John Murphy (17), Billy Redmond (21), Martin Hartley (22) and Brian Dolan (23). The 90 points total of Denis Kirwan (14), Pat Traynor (18), John Coleman (20) and Donie Cody proved good enough to claim third prize.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Billy Redmond on the ninth hole and Pat Traynor on the eleventh. We have our usual game next Thursday but the following Thursday we have no game as on that day, April 5, the club are running a three-person open scramble and online booking is now open. Pick your own three players and pick your own tee-time.
PAULINE’S SOCIETY
What should have been a memorable trip to the Macreddin golf course on March 3 was spoiled by the arrival of The Beast From The East.
The President’s day had to be postponed, and was re-arranged for March 10, but the Beast had done its work to ensure that this fixture had to be abandoned.
By the good work of Captain Alan Nixon, New Ross golf course has been secured to accommodate the President’s day on Saturday, April 7, with a tee-off time of 10 a.m.
As a consequence of this, Alan’s Captain’s day will now be played on Saturday, April 21, also in New Ross with a similar tee-off time of 10 a.m. Our thanks to New Ross Golf Club for their co-operation in the re-scheduling of this fixture.
The list for those intending to play in the President’s day is currently on the noticeboard in Pauline’s Bar. Once again it is hoped to run this competition as a scramble. Entries are required please before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3.
A trip to Macreddin has been agreed with the golf club for a date in October, and details will be announced at a later date.