CLUB NOTES ONtheFAIRWAYS
GOLF
NEWROSSSENIORS
When there was a break from the incessant morning rains, we ventured out on Thursday in our weekly competition in heavy underfoot conditions. New Ross must be only one of a few courses playable after the torrential rain of the previous night.
The weather held up reasonably well over Tinneranny for a couple of hours, but then the heavens opened once again. As per our agreement that the first team out have the right to call a halt to play whether it be over nine or 14 holes, they wisely stopped play on the ninth.
People who started on holes other than the first had the first nine they played calculated for scoring purposes. Even the favoured champagne scramble format did not produce big scores, mainly due to a fierce south-easterly wind accompanied by squally outbursts of heavy rain.
Nevertheless, as always with the Seniors group we had a tight finish to the competition before it produced the winners. The team of Tony Harford (12), Aidan O’Connor (19), Robert O’Dwyer (20) and Fr. Jim Curtis took the honours with 44 points.
On a countback over the last six holes (28/26), Eddie Keher (9), Willie Naddy (19), Jamesie Wallace (23) and Tom Kent (26) finished runners-up with 43 points. On the same score (43 points) and in third place came Denis Kirwan (11), Jim ‘Ross’ Ryan (18), Seán O hUginn (20) and Jamesie Murphy (23).
John Shalloe (4) took nearest the pin on the eleventh hole, while no one got near on the ninth. All players are reminded to replace divots on the fairways, rake the bunkers and repair pitch marks on the greens even though they may not be your own. Doing these little things will help to maintain the course in the immaculate condition that it’s in at the present time.
NEWROSSLADIES
Prize-winners, please put a note in your diary for this Wednesday, February 8, at 6 p.m. for the first presentation of 2017.
This week’s competition is the very popular 14-hole Mexican scramble, and you can enter online as some are still available.
The winter league is now in its second round which must be completed by February 15. Don’t forget to enter in the book and use a separate scorecard. First round results show the Bloody Marys well in the lead.
The ongoing nine-hole is available too, so there’s plenty of options to improve the game. Ruling on the ropes around the course: if a ball comes to rest around the greens, ropes may be lifted and the ball played as it lies.
Should the ball come to rest near the embedded wooden stakes, drop it within two club lengths not nearer the hole. Placing everywhere until further notice.
A note for your diary: Saturday, March 4, is the Captains’ drive-in.
February 1, 14-hole stableford: 1, M.T. Wall (21), 26 - 1 penalty = 25 points; 2, Bridget Murphy (26), 23 points (last seven); 3, Pat Purcell (18), 24 - 1 penalty = 23 points.
NEWROSS
There was a delayed start to the 18 holes v. par competition on Sunday due to heavy overnight frost. When it cleared however, players enjoyed a fine day and some very good scores were recorded in a competition regarded as one of the toughest on the golfing calendar.
Recent form held up well with prize-winners from previous weeks again figuring strongly in the final shake-up.
Taking the first prize with an excellent score of five up was Michael Butler (12). The evergreen Noel Dunne (19) took second place with four up, whilst Markie Murphy (15) was placed third with three up.
The gross was won by Derek Ronan who finished on level par. Long-striking Hugh Behan (5) took the Category 1 prize, finishing two up, and Seamus Phelan (13) took Category 2 also with two up. Noel Kendrick (18) with three up was the winner of Category 3.
Next Sunday (February 12) is the Scotch foursomes formation in order to give Martin Carroll some idea about possible formations for upcoming club competitions.
Don’t forget the big table quiz league starting on Friday, February 17. Get in your team as soon as possible with the entry fee of €20. Full details next week.
ENNISCORTHYLADIES
The clement weather conditions have allowed our ladies to take part in a nine-hole competition every Tuesday throughout the winter, with record numbers playing for the time of year.
Our new golf Season will begin with the Captains’ drive-in on February 26, and we look forward to a busy golfing year ahead.
The ladies’ committee for 2017 is led by lady Captain Mary McCauley, lady Vice-Captain Mary O’Shea, lady President Marie Duggan, and lady Vice-President Maeve McCauley.
The role of Secretary is taken by Meta Cummins and Treasurer is Teresa Bailey. Team co-crdinator for 2017 is Dorothy Kenny and Competitions Secretary is Joan Dunbar. Handicap Secretary is Laura Dempsey, Junior convenor is Eimear McGrath, and P.R.O. is Pauline Murphy.
There’s good news for ladies wishing to try golf. An eight-week introductory course will start on Saturday, February 11. If you are interested, please contact Maeve McCauley (086-8889246).
Keep up to date with activities and results by following us on facebook.com/enniscorthygolfclub.com, Twitter @ enniscorthygolf, or Instagram: enniscorthygolfclub.
BUNCLODY
January 15 to 21, ladies’ weekly competition: 1, Margaret Moore (10), 22 points; 2, Siobhán Moore (36), 15 points.
January 22 to 28, ladies’ weekly competition: 1, Bernie Foley (36), 22 points; 2, Linda Byrne (12), 22 points; 3, Margaret Moore (10), 20 points.
January 28 and 29, men’s singles: 1, Maurice Mahon (20), 28 points; 2, Hall Kavanagh (14), 28 points; 3, Anthony Ensor (14), 26 points.
BALLYMONEY
The Wednesday nine-hole and weekend singles stableford fell foul of the bad weather. Hopefully next week will be better.
COURTOWN
Well, for the first time in many weeks the nature conspired against us on the course. With bad weather all week long we had very little golf played during last seven days.
The ladies fell foul to dreadful conditions on Tuesday, the course being closed due to very heavy rain, so they did not have their weekly competition.
The gents fared a little better on Wednesday and did have their usual sweep. The elements prevailed again over the weekend and the any combination fourball competition had to be called off.
This of course means that the final matches in the EBS/ Colman Doyle-sponsored winter league also had to be called off. The matches which were scheduled for Sunday, February 5, will now be played on Sunday, February 19.
With very little between the teams in any section, the EBS/Colman Doyle winter league is now drawing to an exciting conclusion.
The leaders in the seven sections are: 1) Geoff Masterson and Jason Kinsella on 13 points; 2) John Fitzgerald and Joe Butler unbeaten on 18 points; 3) Dave Tyrell and Karl Caulfield on 13 points; 4) Mick Morrissey and Martin Hempenstall on 16 points; 5) Pádraic Flood and Stephen Ryan, and Joe Turner and Eamonn Mahony, locked together on 15 points; 6) Gabriel Allen and Michael O’Shaughnessy unbeaten on 16 points; 7) Paul Carmody and Mark McGrath on 15 points.
Here is how it works from here: the total points from all seven rounds are added to the points on your three best cards, and this will determine the final placings.
The top two pairings from each group along with the best two runners-up will make up Division 1 in the final. All other pairings will play in Division 2, 3 and 4 depending on their points.
It is important that all teams return a card after round seven as these points could determine the final pairings.
The EBS/Colman Doyle winter league final is to be played on Sunday, February 26, with the league dinner and presentation to take place on the following Saturday, March 4.
Wednesday sweep, February 1: Pat Carty (16), 27 points; 2, Barry Symes (3), 25 points; 3, Tom Kitt (23), 23 points (last nine).
ENNISCORTHY
The winter series continued with the final round held last weekend. The grand final for the top 30 competitors will be on Sunday, February 19.
The gents’ open Seniors will be returning as ever on the second Thursday of every month, starting on February 9 at 9 a.m. There are changes to the age groups and they are as follows: 50 to 65; 66 to 75; 75+.
The ladies’ equivalent starts on April 20 at 9 a.m. and thereafter on the third Thursday of every month.
The Captains’ drive-in will be on February 26. Competition format will be a nine-hole shotgun scramble teeing off at 12.30 p.m. after the official drive-in has taken place. Timesheets are now open for booking.
ROSSLARE
January 27, fourball (lambs): 1, Paddy Lonergan (12), John Barron (8), 40 points; 2, Derek Evans (10), Ken Martin (17), 38 points; 3, Dermot Walsh (6), Jim Hennessy (18), 38 points.
January 29, singles stableford (lambs): 1, Tom McGrath (17), 35 points; 2, Ger O’Reilly (13), 32 points.
ROSSLARELADIES
A total of 49 ladies played on Tuesday, January 31, a good turn-out for the depths of the winter.
Norrie Goff, our lady Vice-Captain, is blazing a trail on the golf course having won the fourball the previous Saturday, and then winning on Tuesday with 28 points over twelve holes.
She is also blazing a trail around the clubhouse with her helpers, planting lovely spring flowers to cheer us all up. Well done Norrie.
At at recent I.L.G.U. meeting they strongly recommended all players to ‘keep up ready golf’. In other words, ready, steady, go on the golf course, and keep the game moving fast.
We have been accepted for the ‘Girls in Golf’ and will be running our ‘Taster Golf’ for adult ladies also again this year. If any females have an interest watch this space, as all will be welcome.
Tuesday, February 14, will be a singles stableford competition over 14 holes for lambs.
Saturday, January 28, fourball competition, 14 holes: 1, Cathy Atkinson (11/8-1) and Ann Kelly (17/12-1), 33 points (back three); 2, Mary O’Shaughnessy (15/11-2) and Trish Devereux (22/15), 33 points.
Tuesday, January 31, twelve-hole winter singles competition: 1, Norrie Goff (20/13), 28 points; 2, Bernadette Cuddihy (23/15-2), 27 points (back six); 3, Val Mernagh (15/10), 27 points; 4, Joan Walsh (23/15), 26 points (back six); 5, Jane O’Shea (21/14-2), 26 points.
WEXFORDLADIES
The winners of Monday’s Seniors competition held on January 30 were: 1, Eileen Burke-O’Keeffe (22), 27 points; 2, Martina Dempsey (20), 24 points.
The weather was not kind to us last week for the three-person scramble competition. No players managed to get out on to the course on Thursday, February 2.
Winners, who played on Saturday, were: Leonie Furlong (12), Cathríona Walsh (13), Osnat Manning (22), 51.3 points. Nearest the pin was Deirdre Colfer, 21 ft. 9 ins.
Do not forget to get your entries in for the triathlon. Golf may be played on either Saturday or Thursday, February 18 or 23, with the darts and pool played on the night of Thursday, February 23.
To enter put your name in an envelope with the entry fee (€12 including golf) and place it in the score box in the ladies’ locker room by Thursday, February 9. The winners of the Bridge session held on Wednesday, February 1, were: 1, Catherine Carmody and Seamus O’Beirne; 2, Madge Murphy and Eileen Whelan.
The next session is on March 1 at 10 a.m. Friends and playing partners are all very welcome. Hopefully the weather will improve for next week’s 14-hole singles stableford competition.
TAGHMONSOCIETY
The A.G.M. was held in the Scout Hall, Taghmon, on January 27. Those present were outgoing Captain Eamon Roche, Secretary/P.R.O. Tom Furlong, Treasurer Joe Cashin, Assistant Treasurer Tom McGrath (F), Handicap Secretary Eddie Cousins, Pat Murphy, Denis Banville and incoming Captain Seamus McLoughlin.
Jim O’Keeffe and Joe Doyle joined us eventually! Apologies were received from Tom McGrath (T) and Noel Wall. What about the rest of you? The society doesn’t run itself.
The Secretary’s report of the previous A.G.M. was read out by Tom Furlong, proposed by Pat Murphy and seconded by Seamus McLoughlin.
Outgoing Captain, Eamon Roche, welcomed everyone present and stated that he was honoured to have been Captain and that he had thoroughly enjoyed the year before wishing Seamus all the best for his tenure.
He then thanked our various sponsors through the year, namely Dolores Sidney, proprietor of our home base, Alice Brady’s pub, where we are looked after so well, Brendan Murphy of the Horse and Hound in Ballinaboola, and Wexford Cleaning Services.
He also thanked everyone for their support of our lotto and the Christmas draw, all players during the year, and his hard-working committee. Finally, he welcomed his good friend Seamus McLoughlin in as the new Captain. A hearty round of applause ensued for Eamon as his year came to an end.
The Treasurer’s report came next and after much analysis and a few queries from the floor we were found to be in a significantly better financial condition than this time last year. The report was proposed by Eamon Roche and seconded by Tom McGrath (F).
It was decided to keep the membership for our current 56 members at €30 per annum and each outing to cost €25 through the year. It was decided to treat ourselves in the coming year by having a subsidised outing to Mount Juliet in March.
We then moved on to the election of officers. Seamus McLoughlin as Captain is automatically the Chairman, and the following were elected: Secretary/P.R.O., Tom Furlong; Treasurer, Joe Cashin; Assistant Treasurer, Tom McGrath (F); Handicap Secretary, Pat Murphy.
It was decided that an Assistant Handicap Secretary would be Pat Murphy’s choice and he opted for Eamon Roche.
The category bands are to be slightly altered to: Cat. 1, 0 to 12; Cat. 2, 13 to 20; Cat. 3, 21 to 28. There will be changes to the handicapping system that we use too, as the 3-2-1 cuts are no more. All will be explained on the first day you play.
The number of outings to be held in the forthcoming year will be eleven, with a possible scramble outing to be held during the summer. Cards will be available at the first outing which is next Saturday in New Ross at 10.40 a.m. Confirm your availability to attend A.S.A.P. to Eamon Roche.
The winning of the Captain’s prize is to be only available to those members who have participated in at least two 2017 outings prior to the event.
The virtual 18-hole competition is to be carried on, sponsored by Aidan Cullen (Wexford Cleaning Services) once again.
WEXFORD
Wednesday’s fourball winners were Kenny Walsh (11) and Tommy Hynes (14) with 36 points on the back seven.
Saturday’s fourball was won by Noel Donohoe (14) and Niall Gilbane (25) with 39 points.
Sunday’s team event was won by David Currid (20), Joe Sinnott (12) and John Sinnott (11) with 85 points from Liam Hipwell (24), Michael Wadding (16), Michael Swan (21) and Larry Kinsella (27) with 82 points.
The standard of the course and the sterling work by Jake and his course staff have been recognised by ‘Golf Digest’, with Wexford Golf Club included in the top one hundred courses in Ireland for 2017.
Congratulations to Pascal Reck who won €50 in the last joker draw. If you are not in you cannot win, with entry only €2. Ceann comhairle Tom came to the rescue last week by providing driving and sat nav lessons to those going astray in golf buggies. As a result the ‘Painter’ is reported to be trading his golf buddy for a new sat nav.