ONtheFAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
A dirty fog, a real peasouper, shrouded the course on Thursday, making it just barely possible to have our normal weekly outing.
It was a real lottery playing into the greens, with the pin obscured most of the time with visibility almost at zero.
A small clearance came when the twelve teams were near the finish of their round, but it was then a case of ‘too little, too late’.
However, all were in to see the big Thyestes Chase from Gowran Park where Willie Mullins provided the runaway winner in Total Recall at a price of 16/1.
We had no runaway winners in our competition, instead we had a blanket finish involving five teams all within a point of each other.
Taking the honours by a short head, a nose or a snout, call it what you will but Jimmy Furlong (13), Larry Shannon (21), Jamesie Wallace (22) and Jim ‘Dublin’ Ryan (25) prevailed by one point, clocking up 95 to take the warming drop of Paddy Whiskey.
All sorts of countbacks were needed to finalise second place before Mikey Lee (16), Peter Goggin (17), Willie Wallace (20) and Paddy Mahony (21) took it with 94 points, courtesy of a better back nine (50/46).
Third on the same score were Mick Gannon (18), Willie Naddy (23), Martin Burke (25) and Les Jastrebski (26) thanks to a better score (46/45) on the last nine holes.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Tom Murphy on the ninth hole and Dan Quigley on the eleventh.
Many thanks go to Dick Cuddihy for updating our draw board and players’ categories which was a highly efficient piece of work - much appreciated by all of our group.
ROSSLARE
Fourball lambs: 1, Cormac Quigley (12), John Hutchinson (21), 39 points; 2, Murt Joyce (8), J.P. Cullen (10), 39 points.
Singles lambs: 1, Ned Kinsella (21), 37 points; 2, Michael Brosnan (15), 34 points; 3, Eamonn O’Rourke (14), 34 points.
COURTOWN
The Wednesday sweep on January 15 was won by Richard Conroy (8) with 31 points (32 - 1).
Jim Peppard (20) was second on 29 points (30 - 1, last nine). Jim O’Shea (7) was third, also with 29 points, while Tommy Kinsella (20) was fourth on 28 points.
Week two of the weekly nine-hole Race to St. Patrick’s Day was won by Jim Peppard with 21 points, with Richard Hounslow coming in second on a countback with 18 points.
The Wednesday sweep held on January 22 was won by John Creagh (20) with 30 points. Colman Doyle (23) was second on 29 points (last nine), while Tony Finn (26) was third, also with 29 points. Jimmy Flynn (23) was fourth on 28 points (last nine).
Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26, was an any combination fourball competition and also the penultimate round of the winter league.
The winners of the fourball competition were John Maher (12) and Eamonn Byrne (14) with 30 points (back nine).
Second were Christy White (16) and Eugene Hogan (18), also on 30 points (back nine), and third were Paul Fegan (13) and Fergus Rapple (23), also on 30 points (last six).
At the time of writing, not all the results from the weekend’s winter league matches are available. The leading pairs in each of the five sections with two weeks remaining were as follows -
Section 1: Pádraig Flood and Stephen Ryan, 18 points; Danny Whitty and Joe Keegan, 15 points; Darren Moore and Alvaro Temprano, 13 points.
Section 2: Larry D’Arcy and Denis Howell, 15 points; Cathal O’Donohoe and Karl Caulfield, 14 points; Martin Griffiths and Mark Morris, 14 points.
Section 3: Joey O’Brien and Tommy Kinsella, 17 points; John James Dunne and Darrell Cushen, 15 points; Paddy Sinnott and Pat Timmons, 14 points.
Section 4: Colman Doyle and Ciarán Doyle, 14 points; Leslie Masterson and John P. Mahe,r 14 points; Kevin Ivers and Iain Campbell, 12 points.
Section 5: Richard Barnwell and Gerry Lennon, 15 points; Fergus Rapple and Paul Fagan, 15 points; Michael O’Shaughnessy and Tom Foster, 14 points.
Don’t forget that the club is holding a table quiz on Friday, January 31, starting at 8 p.m. in the clubhouse. Entry is €20 for a table of four and everyone is welcome.
NEW ROSS
The weather last weekend was in stark contrast to the previous weekend which made for enjoyable golf in good conditions. It was great to see so many people out enjoying the course between competitions, team practice and casual golf.
The weekend competition was a 16-hole v. par which was sponsored by the Saturday regulars. Over 120 golfers took part in this enjoyable format.
Results: 1, Pat Whelan (19), six up; 2, Eddie Kent (14), five up (last six); 3, Andrew Ryan (5), five up; gross, Seamus O’Leary, two down; Cat. 1, Corey Bolger (9), five up; Cat. 2, Mossy Ryan (15), four up; Cat. 3, Leo Booth (20), three up.
Next weekend we will have an open 16-hole strokeford competition to keep the mathematical senses engaged. The following weekend will see the fifth and final round of the winter league taking place.
Split The Pot was drawn by Ger Ronan and won by Eleanor Roche and Marie Therese Wall who collect €104.
ROSSLARE LADIES
Though Rosslare golf courses have been open, the inclement weather was not very encouraging for our members in the last few weeks.
But last weekend we got off with a full timesheet on Saturday with a singles competition over 14 holes.
Results: 1, Stephanie Glynn, 38 points; 2, Teresa Conway, 36 points; 3, Mary Kavanagh, 33 points (back nine); 4, Máire Farrell, 33 points.
On Monday we had a wonderful turn-out with over 70 ladies playing in the Wexford alliance, with players from Courtown, Wexford, New Ross, Wexford and our own ladies competing in the first of the outings in 2020. Many of our visitors picked up the prizes.
Results: 1, Bridget O’Neill, 37 points; 2, Liz Askins, 36 points; 3, Liz Roberts, 34 points; 4, Cora Mernagh, 34 points; 5, Anna Mai O’Connor, 33 points; 6, Cathy Casey, 32 points; 7, Ann Kelly, 32 points; 8, Mary Rice, 31 points.
We had a twelve-hole stableford competition on Tuesday, January 21.
Results: 1, Paula Stafford, 26 points; 2, Jane O’Shea, 25 points; 3, Catherine Haugh, 24 points; 4, Kitty Roche, 24 points; 5, Bríd Ní Bhríain, 24 points.
Coming up today (Tuesday) we have a twelve-hole waltzing rumble.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Wednesday, January 22, 14-hole stableford: 1, Anne Bailey (21), 28 points; 2, Bernie Murphy (25), 29 – 2 = 27 points; 3, Anne O’Grady (26), 26 points (last seven).
Next Wednesday, January 29, is a 14-hole stableford sponsored by Kelly’s Circle K Service Station.
64 SOCIETY
The 64 Golf Society’s January outing to the European Golf Club on Saturday saw 44 members play on a nice day for golf, and on a course that was in excellent condition for the time of year.
The course, as usual, played a little tough as the sores reflect.
Results: 1, Ollie Quigley (12), 32 points; 2, Nick Noblett (15), 31 points; 3, Leslie Masterson (19), 30 points (last nine); gross, Dean Grannell (4), 24 points; 4, Karl Caulfield (9), 31 points (- 1, last nine); first nine, Mark McCartan (16), 19 points; second nine, Niall Nolan (15), 19 points.
Following the outing, at the presentation in 64 our Captain, Bryan Hughes, thanked all those who helped make the day such a success. He particularly thanked Robert O’Connor for his generous sponsorship.
Our next outing will be to Carlow on Saturday, February 22. All members will be informed in the usual way.
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole competition (mixed): 1, Martin Storey (20), 21 points; 2, Jason Doolan (20), 21 points.
Thankfully the weather held good for the weekend, with a good turn-out for the mixed stableford singles.
Results: 1, Neil McDonald (28), 40 points; 2, Stephen Greene (15), 38 points; 3, Tom Doolan (12), 38 points, holding off Paul Doolan on countback; front nine, Paul Cleary; back nine, Paul Doolan.
COOLLATTIN
Wednesday, January 22, 15-hole open men’s singles: 1, Robert T. Cleary (19), 36 points; 2, Sandy Smith (9), 35 points.
Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26, 15-hole open men’s singles: 1, John Thompson (13), 35 points; 2, Dermot Nolan (6), 34 points (countback); gross, Willie Gibbons (5), 30 points; 3, Antonin Dorazil (Wexford, 17), 34 points.
WEXFORD
Tuesday, January 21, Seniors’ scramble: 1, S. Sill, B. Long, P. Kavanagh, B. Judd, 43.33; 2, R. Murphy, L. Kenny, S. Moynihan, B. Roche, 44; 3, J. Scott, J. Jenkins, P. Lauhoff, 45.
Wednesday, January 22, 14-hole open ladies’ and gents’ stableford singles: 1, Richard Walsh (21), 35 points (back seven); 2, Ed Goff (14), 35 points; 3, Sam Dempsey (15), 33 points; vets., John Cotter (15), 32 points (back seven).
Friday, January 24, 14-hole three-person open ladies’ and gents’ champagne scramble: 1, Roy Sexton (7), Larry Kinsella (29), Michael Swan (22), 84 points; 2, Ted Mangan (17), Peter Goff (16), Mick Browne (16), 78 points (back seven); 3, Gary Lynch (5), Barry Hennessey (16), John Rackard (22), 78 points.
Saturday, January 25, 14-hole gents’ fourball: 1, Jonathan Walsh (9), Seamus Walsh (16), 38 points; 2, Colin Edwards (8), Declan Furlong (8), 37 points (back seven); 3, Richie Browne (6), Keith Nolan (19), 37 points.
Sunday, January 26, 14-hole gents’ stableford singles: 1, Declan Furlong (8), 36 points (back seven); 2, Richie Byrnes (15), 36 points; gross, Andrew Farrell, 28 points; 3, Graham Goff (9), 35 points; 4, Nacey Brennan (15), 34 points (back seven); 5, Jonathan Bennett (22), 34 points; vets., Mick Creane (22), 29 points.
There was no winner of the Joker at the weekend, and the weekly prize winners were Veronica and Max who collected €100. The jackpot next week will be €677.
The leading team after three weeks of the winter league is Adare Manor on 359 points, followed by Portmarnock on 353 points. In third place are the K Club on 350 points, and they are followed by Ballybunion on 345 points.
The leading individuals at present are Maurice Delaney (95 points), Graham Goff (94 points), Richard O’Rourke (94 points), John Hammond (93 points), David Farrell (92 points).
Would winter league players please ensure that they return their weekly card for every competition?
WEXFORD LADIES
Saturday and Thursday, January 4 and 9, 14-hole singles stableford: 1, Elaine Bolger (40), 30; 2, Mary Cashe (20), 27 (back seven); 3, Deirdre Colfer (18), 27; nine-hole competition winner, Mary O’Leary (11), 20; nearest the pin, Trina Walsh, 2m 36cm. A total of 44 played in the 14-hole competition, and five in the nine-hole competition.
Saturday and Thursday, January 18 and 23, 14-hole singles: 1, Marguerite Murphy (32), 31 (back seven); 2, Susan Kelly (21), 31; 3, Leonie Furlong (10), 30; nine-hole competition winner, Mary Robinson (11), 19; nearest the pin, Caroline Creane, 3m 87cms. A total of 50 played in the 14-hole competition, and 13 played in the nine-hole competition.
Monday, January 20, Senior 14-hole singles stableford competition (16 played): 1, Marguerite Murphy (32), 31; 2, Breda Murphy (40), 29.
This week’s competition is a 14-hole, two-lady team competition (one to score on par 4 and 5s, and two scores count on par 3s).
Here’s hoping the weather stays kind to us for the next few weeks!
ENNISCORTHY
Four-person team, January 1, sponsored by E.G.C. (66 played): 1, Tony Moulton (18), Keith Whelan (13), Alan Somers (8), Trevor Moulton (14), 44.7; 2, Steve Hamson (15), Michael Lanney (8), John Byrne (10), James Morrissey (3), 46.4 (last seven).
Singles stableford, January 12, sponsored by E.G.C. (93 played): 1, Brian Kennedy (13), 36 points; 2, Alan Somers (8), 33 points (last seven); 3, Joe Kelly (6), 33 points.
Unfortunately, the recent icy spell has seen us lose the latest winter series weekend. As it stands we have two qualifying weekends left - February 1/2 and February 8/9, with the grand final taking place two weeks later on Sunday, February 23, between 10 .a.m and 12 noon.
The current standings of the top nine are: 1, Eddie Belfe, 72; 2, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 70; 3, Mick Stafford, 69; 4, Brian O’Connor, 68; 5, Frankie Morrissey and Thomas Kielthy, 67; 7, John Delaney, 66; 8, Declan Lyons and John Bail, 65.
Congratulations to Paul Conroy, winner of the Under-21 Leinster golf order of merit 2019.
Membership subscriptions for 2020 are due for payment on or before February 28. Members can pay by standing order, direct debit, through online banking, or over the phone.
The fixtures diary and reciprocal passes should be available for collection in the office next week.