ONtheFAIRWAYS
NEW ROSS SENIORS
After three hours torrential rain on Wednesday night, our hopes of having a game on Thursday looked bleak to say the least.
However, on Thursday morning, Met Eireann gave the green light for a fine day once the early drizzle cleared into the Irish Sea. We got the go-ahead, with heavy underfoot conditions prevailing and a brisk northerly wind to contend with.
Even with the bunkers out of play, it would be a fair assertion to predict some low scoring by the 13 competing teams.
Not a bit of it, as twelve of the 13 brought in scores of 90 points or better which showed once again the fairness of the draw, as most teams were within a few points of each other.
It was a tight finish to find the ultimate winners, and Michael Kavanagh (17), Willie Naddy (23), Frank Boyle (23) and Jim ‘Dublin’ Ryan (25) took the honours with a terrific total of 100 points.
Only a point behind on 99 (who missed that vital putt?) came Mikey Lee (16), Tommy Ryan (17), Richie Aylward (20) and Les Jastrebski. Third place went to Eddie Keher (12), Michael Gannon (18), Aidan O’Connor (20) and Michael Long (23) with 97 points.
Nearest the pin prizes were won by Mick Wade on the ninth hole and Eddie Keher on the eleventh.
We welcomed another newcomer to our ranks in Markie Murphy, and glad to report that afterwards he expressed delight in how much he enjoyed the fun he had in his first outing with the Seniors group.
Last Thursday we made our usual annual charitable donation of €300 to the Community Hospital, New Ross. Frances Ryan, Chairperson of the Hospital, returned thanks for the cheque and said the financial help they received without fail each year from the New Ross Seniors group was much appreciated.
BUNCLODY
February 8, weekend singles: 1, John Ger Murphy (20), 27 points; 2, Vincent Murphy (8), 25 points.
NEW ROSS LADIES
February 12, v. par sponsored by the club: 1, Marie Therese Wall (18), all flat; 2, Mary Maher (15), one down; 3, Eileen Wallace (29), one down – one shot penalty.
Wednesday, February 19, 14-hole stableford, sponsored by Des Moloney Auctioneers.
Due to inclement weather, the final date for our winter league has been extended to Wednesday, February 19.
COURTOWN
Storm Dennis played havoc with the week’s fixtures, with both the weekend any combination fourball and the finals of the winter league falling foul of the weather.
The re-scheduled winter league final, dinner and presentation date will be announced shortly.
The Wednesday sweep held on February 12 was won by Tony Finn (26) with 32 points. Robert Hogan (18) was second on 31 points (32 – 1).
Bobby Hughes (15) was third with 30 points, while E. Byrne (14) was fourth on 29 points (back nine).
The club is holding a special ‘Leap Into Spring’ night on Saturday, February 29, with a three-course dinner and a welcoming glass of Prosecco on arrival on offer for an incredible price of €27.
We are delighted to welcome back ‘The Rolling Tones’ who will be providing the musical entertainment for the night. Booking is essential, and enquiries can be made through the restaurant or bar.
WEXFORD LADIES
Monday, February 10, ladies’ Seniors’ 14 holes singles stableford (15 played): 1, Helen McGuire (16/21), 23 (back seven); 2, Margaret Atkinson (5/7), 23.
Saturday and Thursday, February 8 and 13, 14 holes stableford (55 played): 1, Martina Gately (16/12), 27 (back seven); 2, Irene Bolger (11/9), 27; 3, Sally O’Neill (19/15), 26 (back four); 4, Kay O’Reardon (37/29), 26 (back seven); nearest the pin, Yvonne MacSweeney, 2m 7cm.
There was no nine-hole competition. Well done, ladies, on another tight scoring competition.
Next week, in order to ease into the 2020 season, we have a 16-hole singles stableford competition, sponsored by the club ladies.
Don’t forget we have the Captains’ drive-in on Sunday, March 1, at 5 p.m. to kick off the new 2020 season. The drive-in will be preceded by a four-person team rumble competition (any combination of players) over 15 holes. Get your name down early and come out to support our new club Captains for 2020.
A reminder that volunteers are required for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open from May 28 to 31. If you are interested, put your name on the list in the noticeboard in the locker room.
There is a table quiz in aid of underprivileged women and children in India next Saturday evening, February 22, in the clubhouse. It is being organised by Joanne Maher, and your support is welcome.
Many thanks to Elaine Dowdall and Aisling O’Leary for sharing their insights and experience of the game of gold with the ladies…(and the odd gent!) who attended the talk on Tuesday night. We’ve plenty to think about for the new season ahead.
NEW ROSS
Another weekend, another storm. However, this time around we played golf and enjoyed the opportunity to get out in the fresh air.
The final round of the winter league was played and the overall standings confirmed. Well done to all involved, and congratulations to the prize winners.
Round five results: 1, Val Molloy (13), 33 points; 2, Ger Freyne (19), 32 points (last nine); 3, Harry Doran (13), 32 points; gross, Andrew Ryan, 24 points; Cat. 1, Tommy Liston (7), 27 points; Cat. 2, Mick Butler (10), 30 points; Cat. 3, Mick Kavanagh (17), 30 points.
The overall league was won by Mick Butler with a return of 124 points, while Seamus Aldridge took second place and Mick Kavanagh finished third.
The presentation of prizes for rounds four and five of the winter league, as well as the recent v. par and strokeford competitions, will take place next Sunday at 5.30 p.m.
Next weekend we will have an open fourball competition.
COOLLATTIN
Wednesday, February 5, 15-hole open men’s singles: 1, John Thompson (12), 27 points.
Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9, 15-hole open fourball: 1, Sandy Smith (8) and Stephen Gormley (16), 34 points (countback); 2, Peter Brennan (8) and John Thompson (13), 34 points.
Sunday, February 16, nine-hole four-person team scramble: 1, Seán Carroll, Neil Fitzgerald, Helen Boyd, Pat Kinsella; 2, Captains John Byrne and Mary Loughlin, and Presidents Kevin Stapleton and Caroline Browne.
The above event marked Captain John Byrne and lady Captain Mary Loughlin’s drive-in.
ROSSLARE LADIES
With Storm Dennis hitting the sunny south-east, caused a bit of disruption to golf over the weekend.
On Tuesday some of our ladies braved the ‘ snowy’ elements in our team of three event, but it was postponed.
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.
On Wednesday, February 26, at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse, we are having an information evening for all new members and Burrow members, along with everyone interested in golf. We would be delighted to see you.
ROSSLARE
it
Fourteen-hole singles (lamb): 1, Larry Kavanagh (24 – 2), 28 points; 2, Anthony Duggan, 28 points; 3, Jim Hore (12), 28 points.
WEXFORD
Again the weather, this week in the name of Storm Dennis, played havoc with our competitions schedule.
Competitions were played on two days only - Wednesday and Sunday - with either golf addicts or very hardy men braving the elements to compete.
Wednesday, February 12, 14-hole open fourball: 1, Jonathan Walsh (9) and Baryr Lynch (21), 37 points (back seven).
Sunday, February 16, 14-hole singles sweepstake: 1, Colm Cosgrove (15), 35 points; 2, Jay Murphy (13), 34 points; 3, Tom Foran (13), 33 points; 4, Jason Kehoe (14), 31 points (back seven).
As a result of the weather forecast for Sunday, it was decided to postpone the winter league, and the last two rounds in this popular, closely-contested competition are now scheduled for next Sunday, February 23, followed by the final leg on Sunday, March 8.
This is an opportune time to give you the current standings in both the team and singles competition.
After four weeks in the team competition, Adare Manor (Richie Browne, Ollie Dempsey Jnr., Jim Doyle, Paul Kelly, Pascal Kavanagh, Ray Cullinane and John Bergin) are the leaders with a team total of 469 points.
They are followed closely by Portmarnock (Andrew Farrell, Jonathan Walsh, Mick Whelan, Tom Butler, Dave Farrell, Alan Keeling and Ian Murphy) just two points behind on 467.
We have a tie for third place, with the K Club (Larry O’Neill, Graham Goff, Alan Geraghty, Michael Moran, Maurice Delaney, John Furlong and Ger Enright), and County Down (Declan Furlong, David O’Sullivan, Seán Healy, Patch Doyle, Mick Fortune, Alan Lawlor and Jason Kehoe), both on 456 points.
In fifth place are Royal Portrush (Philip Rochford, Conor Morris, John McGarrigle, Richard O’Rourke, Pat ‘Kenny’ Walsh, John Byrne and Nigel Byrne) with 455 points.
Next are Druids Glen on 452 points, Fota Island on 451 points, and Old Head on 448 points.
Ballybunion and European Club are tied on 447 points, followed by Palmerstown on 444 points, and Mount Juliet on 432 points.
Lahinch, who are currently in last place on 398 points, are the only team that seen to be too far behind to have any hope of figuring in the prize-winning slots.
The best four cards for each team count each week, and the last two Sunday competitions will see serious efforts from each team member.
In the singles competition, the best four cards returned by each player will count. Richard O’Rourke is the current leader on 125 points, and he is closely followed by John Hammond on 123 points.
In third place is Davy Farrell on 121 points, fourth is Brian Kirwan on 120 points, and Andrew Farrell is lying fifth on 119 points.
It is all to play for, and all the players in both the team and singles events surely deserve fine weather for the final two Sundays.
The modern jive dance classes will return to Friday nights each week, starting at 8 p.m. in our clubhouse.
The Joker was not won at the weekend, but yet again the genial Tom Rowe won the weekly prize. The jackpot will be €865 next week.