CLUB NOTES ONtheFAIRWAYS
GOLF
NEWROSSLADIES
Wednesday, August 24, three-person scramble sponsored by Wall B.E.R. (Marie Therese Wall): 1, Maria Burford, Mary Shannon and Marie O’Connor, 67.9; 2, Kay Bolger, Denise Bolger and Eileen Cullinan; 3, Margaret Furlong, Margaret Murphy and Joanne Hartley, 69.1.
Upcoming competitions: Wednesday, August31, open ladies’ Ryder Cup-style four-person team event; Wednesday, September 14, 18-hole v. par sponsored by Emerald Dry Cleaners (Deirdre Caulfield); Wednesday, September 21, 18-hole stroke (gross and medal) sponsored by Hickey & Ryan.
For the first time in many years, a club dinner dance will be held on Friday, October 2, in the Brandon House Hotel. This will be a night of fun and dancing to round off the golfing year.
All end of year prizes such as golfer of the year, mixed and singles matchplay etc. will be presented by both the ladies’ and gents’ sections. The dinner dance will be open to all members and their guests, and tickets will go on sale in the next few weeks, priced at €35 each.
NEWROSSSENIORS
All sorts of things happened at our weekly outing last Thursday. The weather was hot, the scoring was hot, and we also had the rather rare occurrence of a player scoring a hole-in-one.
Fifteen teams went to post and, in perfect golfing weather, high scoring was expected in the conditions with a great run on the ball - that is, if you hit the fairways. With greens in immaculate order and a pleasure to putt on, all enjoyed the game with competition mustard keen as usual between the teams.
However, on this occasion one quartet proceeded to shoot the lights out, bringing in a winning score of a whopping 96 points to emerge as clear winners. Denis Kirwan (11), Aidan Kent (20), Martin Forristal (20) and Tom Kent (26) put together two excellent nine-hole scores of (50/46) to claim the Paddy Whiskey.
In second place on 89 points came Hughie O’Connor (18), Pat Traynor (18), Liam Glasheen (20) and Jim Kehoe (24). After a countback, Paddy Shannon (10), Michael Gannon (17), Tony Wallace (21) and Billy Redmond (21) took third place with 88 points.
It was a good day at the office for the aforementioned Hughie O’Connor for not alone was he in the runners-up team, but he also had the distinction of having a hole-in-one on the difficult par three eleventh hole. He was presented with a special prize of a dozen golf balls for something that is dreamed about but rarely happens.
We have no Seniors outing this Thursday as it is the club classic, but many have booked in to play in it. There is no game on Thursday, September 8, either as the course is closed for maintenance and again there’s no game on the 15th as that is the open singles competition - we will resume therefore on September 22 for our normal outing.
In the meantime these are the arrangements for our trip to Ballykisteen on September 7 and 8. On the 7th book in early as our tee-time is 12 noon with dinner that evening at 7.30 p.m., and the following day we tee off at 11 a.m. with dinner served again at 7.30 p.m.
On Friday it’s check out and journey home. If any latecomers wish to travel for the bargain package of only €149, ring Jamesie Murphy on 051-421151 as soon as possible.
NEWROSS
The annual New Ross Golf Club Classic takes place this week, running from Thursday, September 1, to Sunday, September 4. The event is an open four-person team event with over €2,000 worth of prizes on offer including handicap category, visitor, senior, ladies and non-G.U.I. prizes up for grabs.
The entry fee is €20 per person and just €10 for members when on re-entry. Tee-times can be booked online or by phoning the club on 051-421433. The event is being run to raise funds for course maintenance over the winter - a very worthy cause!
Last weekend’s competition was an open three-person team event sponsored by JHG Developments Ltd. The winners with a great score of 80 points were Pat Doyle (17), John Flynn (7) and Eugene Byrne (12).
They finished just one ahead of the threesome of A.J. Mernagh (12), Des Redmond (20) and Patsy Moore (22). Brian Teague (15), John Moran (14) and Seamus Aldridge (11) finished in third place. Thank you to JHG Developments for the continued and generous support.
Last week’s Tuesday fourball, sponsored by Tom O’Brien Construction, was won by the Wallaces, Willie (18) and Jamesie (23), with a super score of 39 points.
Eddie Morrissey (18) and Paul Harrington (9) won category A with 37 points, with category B going to Joe O’Farrell and Seán Murphy (16) with 38 points. Thank you to Tom O’Brien Construction for their continued and generous support.
Michael Ryan Jnr. was in action recently at the Irish Close Championships at Ballyliffin, and once again performed very well on a national stage. A pair of 74s in tough conditions at the Co. Donegal venue put Michael in a tie for eighth after the strokeplay qualifying rounds.
He then saw off Dundalk’s Aaron Grant in the first round of the matchplay stages before losing out to Mount Wolseley’s Mark Morrissey on the 18th in the second round.
BUNCLODY
August 18, ladies’ open singles sponsored by Trinity Motors: 1, Kirsteen Reid (24), 39 points; 2, Ann Cowman (30), 39 points; gross, Linda Byrne (11), 25 points; 3, Joanne Kenny (15), 37 points.
August 21 and 22, monthly medal: 1, Nigel Earle (17), 69 nett; 2, Daithí Murphy (12), 71 nett; gross, Rory McCarthy (0), 76 gross; 3, Eoin McCarthy (7), 71 nett; 4, John Hassett (19), 71 nett.
August 22, Senior open: 1, Rory Kinsella (13), 40 points; 2, Tom Miller (23, Enniscorthy), 36 points; 3, Seán Dunne (10, Forest Little), 36 points; best lady, Fiona Smithers (29, Tara Glen), 32 points.
August 23, ladies’ weekly competition: 1, Terri Byrne (6), 41 points; 2, Margaret Moore (11), 36 points; 3, Fran Crean (24), 36 points.
ENNISCORTHYLADIES
Hair stylist Karl Martin was the sponsor of last week’s ladies’ competition. The wet weather affected the turn-out but 57 ladies participated and the scoring was very tight for the top places.
Results: 1, Connie Doyle (8), 40 points; 2, Catherine Lawless (19), 39 points; 3, Aileen Brophy (19), 37 points; 4, Helene Daly (24), 37 points; 5, Mary O’Shea (15), 36 points; Seniors, Maeve McCauley (18), 36 points; 36 handicap, Marie O’Leary, 28 points; nine holes qualifier, Margaret O’Connor, 14 points.
Next Tuesday’s competition is a ladies’ stroke medal sponsored by Kiely Donohoe Wholesale.
On Friday, September 16, we are holding a charity fundraiser in aid of Hospice Homecare and Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind. The competition is open to golfers and non-golfers.
The timesheet is open for bookings which can be made online or by calling the Pro Shop (05392-37600) or office (05392-33191). A team of four costs €40 so please come out and support both these local charities.
Don’t forget the Monday opens which are continuing into the autumn. They are proving very popular, with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy our lovely course and the delicious food served in the Brooklyn Restaurant at the golf club. To book the restaurant contact 05392-33191 or call in to the bar.
Keep up to date with activities and results by checking out our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Enniscorthy. Golf.Club/), follow us on Twitter @enniscorthygolf or Instagram (enniscorthygolfclub).
COURTOWNLADIES
Thursday, August 25, was a big day in the history of Courtown Golf Club. It hailed the 50th anniversary of the Finn Trophy, a competition inaugurated by Peggy and the late Joe Finn in 1966.
The competition was initially set up with the aim of promoting friendship and social rivalry between the clubs of Wexford and the mid-Leinster region. These days it is a fiercely-contested competition between the clubs who enter.
Edenderry, managed by Anne Gunning, and Greystones, managed by Monica Smith, arrived in Courtown to contest the final. The day was perfect for golf and the course provided an immaculate arena for the event.
Edenderry had the honour on the first tee and off they went, five pairs playing fourball better ball. The red jumpers of Edenderry supporters mingled with the coral jumpers of Greystones supporters as they lined the fairways and watched their respective teams win or lose holes.
Through the front nine holes, Edenderry held the lead in the first two matches with the fifth match all square, while Greystones were up in the third and fourth match. It was all to play for.
The tension and excitement built as the teams headed out the back nine with Edenderry eventually winning the top three matches and the trophy. Well done to both teams on a very friendly and sporting competition.
Peggy Finn arrived in the clubhouse on Thursday evening to a rapturous round of applause. She was delighted to be here to present the prizes on this, the 50th anniversary, she said and proceeded to do so with the same graciousness she has done for the past 50 years.
Monica Smith, manager of Greystones, complimented Peggy and Courtown for the running of the competition and congratulated Edenderry on their win. Anne Gunning, manager of Edenderry, commiserated with Greystones and said they were absolutely delighted to win the trophy.
She also complimented Peggy and Courtown on the competition, saying that it was a huge achievement to have a competition running for half a century.
Following the speeches and prize-giving ceremony the teams retired to a well-deserved presentation dinner. It was another really great day for our history books.
Thank you to Pascal Whitmore of Whitmore Jewellers for sponsoring last Tuesday’s open competition.
Results: 1, Gretta Duke (22), 44 points; 2, Maeve Duke (31), 40 points (countback); gross, Sorcha Howell (3), 31 points; 3, Ann Codd (27), 40 points (countback); 4, Arlene McEvoy (28), 40 points.
Nine-hole competition: 1, Susanne Hall (26), 18 points; 2, Catherine Lawler (36), 16 points (back three).
BALLYMONEY
Wednesday nine-hole (mixed): 1, Marty Lawlor (6), 20 points, holding off Paul Swinburn (17) and Peter Byrne (21) on countback.
Matchplay quarter-final: Redmond.
Ladies’ weekend singles: 1, Joan Moran (36), 37 points; 2, Sandra Willis (36), 30 points; 3, Karen Whelan (18), 36 points.
Gents’ singles stableford: 1, Michael Brennan (21), 45 points; 2, Michael Byrne (17), 44 points; 3, Shane Fox (10), 41 points, holding off Damien Somers (14) on countback.
COURTOWN
Martin Conroy beat Liam
Gents’ singles medal, Sunday, August 21: 1, Tony McGrath (11), 71; 2, Colin Sunderland (7), 71; 3, Paddy Delaney (1), 71; 4, Alex Reid (7), 72; 5, Blake Sunderland (11), 72.
Gents’ open singles, August 24: 1, Joe Keegan (5), 39 points; 2, Shay Currivan (21), 38 points; 3, Kevin Kelleher (10), 38 points; 4, Niall Murray (12), 38 points; eleven holes, Peter McAteer (22), 24 points.
Ladies’ and gents’ singles, August 27, sponsored by Johnstone’s paints - gents: 1, Gay Dunne (12), 36 points; 2, Pat J. Byrne (16), 35 points; 3, Paddy D’eathe (7), 35 points; gross, Colm Sheehan (5), 29 points; 4, Seamus Grogan (14), 35 points; ladies: 1, Catherine Ledwidge (14), 36 points; 2, Angela Merrigan (25), 34 points.
Gents’ singles v. par, Sunday, August 28: 1, Eamonn Siggins (22), four up; 2, Paul Kehoe (13), three up; 3, Tony Kinsella (14), two up.
ENNISCORTHY
The President’s prize, which will also count towards golfer of the year No. 9, is on next weekend and is being sponsored by our President, Eugene Doyle. The booking sheets are open and filling up fast.
The club singles/club fourball competitions are nearing the nail-biting stage and we are currently at the quarter-finals in the singles while the fourball quarter-final is not yet completed but has to be finished by September 4.
The singles quarter-finals comprise of Paddy Mooney v. Vincent Byrne; James Morrissey v. Andy Roche; Nicky Murphy v. Frankie Morrissey, and Joe Delaney v. Paul Lynch. There will be no extensions to the completion dates at each stage.
The only rule change this year is in the club fourball where the 3/4 handicap difference has been replaced by 9/10. All matches are off the blue pins.
The next gents’ open Seniors will be on Friday, September 9, and the sponsor is men’s golf Secretary Christy O’Connor.
The Vice-Captain and Vice-President’s Cup, strokes, August 20-21 (140 played; S.S.: Saturday 73 points, Sunday 72 points): 1, Davie Murphy (10), 65; 2, Tomás O’Leary (9), 66; gross, Jason Rackard (+1), 74; 3, Joe Leacy (15), 67; 4, Joe Caesar (16), 68 (back nine); 5, Sam Greene (12), 68; Seniors, George Leech (12), 73.
Nine-hole midweek, August 17, sponsored by George Kehoe R.I.P. (60 played): overall, Brian Redmond (19), 23 points; Category 1, Liam Dunbar (9), 18 points; Category 2, Tom Hogan (14), 22 points; Category 3, Ray Hutchinson (16), 19 points; Category 4, Tom O’Shea (20), 18 points.
Nine-hole midweek, August 24, sponsored by the E.G.C. Pro Shop (90 played): overall, Liam Swan (27), 23 points; Category 1, Declan Byrne (9), 22 points; Category 2, Fergal McDonald (13), 20 points; Category 3, Garry Fortune (16), 22 points; Category 4, Tom Miller (28), 21 points.
Next week’s sponsor is S.O.S. Building and Electrical. The presentation for all the August midweeks will be on August 31 at 9.45 p.m.
Intermediate Scratch Cup, strokes, August 27-28, sponsored by Walter Bourke & Sons Jewellers (134 played; S.S. 72) - gross: 1, Bill Whelan (13), 77; 2, Tony Foster (10), 80; 3, Brian O’Connor (11), 81; nett: 1, James Foley (17), 64; 2, David Boland (18), 68 (back nine); 3, Nick Power (17), 68.
Junior Cup, strokes, August 27-28, sponsored by E.G.C. (42 played; S.S. 73) - gross: 1, Lee Quigley (6), 74; 2, Paul Lynch (5), 76; nett: 1, Paddy Hore (7), 69; 2, Joe Delaney (6), 70 (back two).
The Brittle Bones were back on Thursday due to an enforced lay-off due to the verti-drainage procedure. There was a 15-hole scramble and the winners were Brian Kenny, Seán O’Leary and Neville Tector with a score of 51.1.
ROSSLARELADIES
As the summer evenings are getting dark about 9 p.m., it is getting harder for the working ladies to fit in golf on a Tuesday after work, so each week left of the summer is precious.
One of these ladies is Cathy Atkinson and we were delighted to see her win on Tuesday. The competition was sponsored by Boggan’s Londis and all the winners were beaming as they carried away their hampers after the prize-giving. A total of 72 ladies played despite a showery morning.
The weekly Wednesday open singles competition has grown more and more popular over the summer. Benefiting last week were Alannah Duggan, one of our up and coming younger members, and Anne Cullimore who has had a very good season this year down in Rosslare.
The Friday morning ladies will re-start their weekly competition on Friday, September 9, at 9.15 a.m. down in the Burrow course. The ladies play nine holes, have an opportunity to meet other new players, and get tips off a few experienced players, all in a very social manner.
Tuesday, September 6, is a singles strokes competition, G.O.Y. and medal sponsored by Essee boutique.
Tuesday, August 23, singles stableford (C.S.S. 35 points) sponsored by Boggan’s Londis: 1, Cathy Atkinson (12), 39 points; 2, Cara Ryan (15), 37 points (back nine); gross, Mairéad Browne (6), 29 points; 3, Mary O’Shaughnessy (15), 37 points; Seniors, Gerarde Mahon (19), 36 points.
Wednesday, August 24, open singles (C.S.S. 35 points): 1, Alannah Duggan (19), 38 points; 2, Anne Cullimore (22), 35 points.