CLUB NOTES ONtheFAIRWAYS
GOLF
TAGHMONSOCIETY
The society played Borris Golf Club on April 15 and 49 players turned up. The course was in great condition and the greens were superb.
Everything was just about timed to perfection, with the last group starting just as the first group were finishing the ninth at the infamous Borris ‘turn’.
The honours went to...hold the back page, the even more infamous Tom McGrath (who was suffering with a heavy dose), not last year’s Captain’s prize winner who is the real Tom McGrath; the other one, the one we all have to put up with, yes, it was the one and the only Tom ‘Tiger’ McGrath believe it or not. His last victory was way back in July, 2013, in Mount Wolseley (another shock!).
Results: 1, Tom ‘Tiger’ McGrath (22), 38; 2, Pat Murphy (10), 38; 3, Donie O’Brien (19), 38; Cat. 1, Rory Murphy (8), 35; Cat. 2, Jimmy O’Leary (19), 37; Cat. 3, David Rossiter (28), 36; front nine, Tom O’Gorman, 21; back nine, Nicky Cousins, 21; nearest the pin, Barry McGrath, fourth (8’7”), and Joe Doyle, 13th (3’3”).
There must be a trend starting here as the first three are all 60-plus and grey-haired. The lesson to be learned from the day Tom: don’t throw your putter away when you miss on the 18th with the clubhouse full of onlookers.
There were six winners of the twos club, namely Kevin Cardiff, Steve da Luca, Joe Doyle, Rory Murphy, Donie O’Brien and Tom O’Gorman, winning €15 each. Niamh Roche was the winner of our lottery bonus ball.
Our annual rivals, Kilmacud Crokes, are having a classic in Blainroe next Friday and the four best golfers in the society have been commissioned to represent us, namely Captain Seamus McLoughlin, Tom Furlong, Tony Kelly and Jim O’Keeffe. We will let you know how they got on.
The next outing is an early start in Faithlegg on May 20 at 8 a.m. As usual, let a committee member know whether you are playing or not. Bring along a friend as a visitor.
WEXFORDLADIES
Twenty-six ladies played in last week’s Seniors’ competition held on Monday, April 24.
Results: 1, Mary Fallon (27), 34 points; 2, Trish Boyd (21), 30 points; 3, Marie Keogh (35), 29 points.
There was obviously ‘Something About Mary’ in last week’s 18-hole singles stableford competition held on Saturday, April 22, and Thursday, April 27.
Results: 1, Mary Walsh (27), 40 points; 2, Mary Fallon (26), 38 points; 3, Mary Cashe (29), 36 points (back nine).
Margaret Atkinson (9) won the gross prize with 26. The Senior prize was won by Phil Flood (27) with 34 (back nine).
Best 36 was Eileen Byrne with 23 points (back nine). The nine-hole competition was won by Annie Murphy (17) with 15 points.
Nearest the pin winner was Mary Walsh, landing just 40 cm. from the hole. Rosaleen’s Flowers sponsored the competition, and there was a raffle in aid of Wexford Hospice Homecare. A total of €660 was raised, so many thanks to everyone who bought a ticket for this very worthy cause.
This coming week sees the next exciting instalment in our team competitions. The Intermediate team will play Woodenbridge in Coollattin at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 2, and the Junior Cup team will play Borris in Enniscorthy on Sunday, May 7, at 2.10 p.m. Support for the ladies is very much appreciated.
This week’s Thursday competition (May 4) is an 18-hole singles stableford sponsored by Esse.
ST. HELEN’S
With a team decimated by injuries, we faced Wexford in the Provincial Towns Cup with trepidation on April 23. At the end of the day, however, our lads had done us proud as we played out of our skins to bring the match down to the wire.
The result was in the balance as the final two games went to the 17th, but alas we were pipped at the post.
We face our neighbours, Rosslare, on Saturday, May 6, in the first round of the South Leinster Trophy. David versus Goliath? It promises to be an interesting match.
Easter Monday, April 17, open singles (C.S.S. 72, 36 points): 1, John Walsh (24), 40 points; 2, Ronan Cowhey (4, Elm Park), 36 points.
Wednesday, April 19, open singles (C.S.S. 72, 36 points): 1, John Quigley (17, Wexford), 38 points; 2, John Lyons (21), 35 points; 3, Pádraig Tiernan (13), 34 points (countback).
Saturday, April 22, open singles (C.S.S. 72, 36 points): 1, Mark Tully (23), 40 points (countback); 2, John Sinnott (6), 40 points; 3, Tommy Duggan (13), 39 points (countback).
Sunday, April 23, open singles (C.S.S. 72, 36 points): 1, Michael Grant (21), 38 points; 2, Pat O’Connor (5), 35 points.
Wednesday, April 26, open singles (C.S.S. 72, 36 points): 1, John Walsh (23), 38 points; 2, Gerry Byrne (16), 35 points.
Saturday, April 29, open singles (C.S.S. 73, 35 points): 1, Michael Vaughan (22), 37 points; 2, Gerry Byrne (16), 36 points; 3, Mark O’Donoghue (15), 35 points (countback).
Fixtures: Monday, May 1, open singles; Wednesday, May 3, open singles; Friday, May 5, open nine-hole (summer league); Saturday, May 6, open singles; Saturday, May 6, South Leinster Trophy versus Rosslare.
ROSSLARELADIES
Last Tuesday was a strokes competition, where 53 ladies played in tough conditions, so we would specially like to congratulate our winner, Jean Cullinane, who triumphed with a great score of 72 and lost three shots!
We would also like to welcome Jean to the club and wish her many years of happy golfing, having moved from Carlow to Wexford this year.
On Saturday nine ladies came from Tenby, whom we are twinned with. This was a first visit to our club from the ladies’ section. We played a team of four Texas scramble with them and a great time was had by all.
Unfortunately, the Revive active team was narrowly beaten on Wednesday. We had three away matches in Enniscorthy and two at home. Enniscorthy, as usual, were formidable opponents.
We would like to wish them well in the next round and many thanks to our players and managers for well-fought games.
Thursday was the final day of our Thursday Seniors competition that runs over the winter. A total of 57 ladies competed in 26 events over the season.
The golfer of the year was won by Catherine Haugh who had a huge lead going into the final week and was really untouchable. Second was Joan Bowe, third was Sheila Crosbie, fourth was Pauline Cafferkey, and fifth was Liz Murphy.
Well done to the winners each week and the overall victors. We would like to thank Sheila Crosbie and her helpers, Gráinne Dunphy and Molly Cash, who do a great service to the club running this competition every week, coming out in all weathers.
Tuesday, May 9, is a ladies’ singles stableford and Valerie Doyle qualifier sponsored by Trendz and Beyond Beauty.
Saturday, April 22, greensomes: 1, Teresa Conway (21/21.4) and Sheila Doyle (22/21.4), 68.6; 2, Sheila Crosbie (14/16) and Molly Cash (19/16), 69; 3, Irene Walker (20/23.6) and Bernie Wright (29/23.6), 69.4.
Tuesday, April 25, singles strokes (C.S.S. 74), Alzheimers G.O.Y./medal, sponsored by Paul Moloney Pottery: 1, Jean Cullinane (33), 72; 2, Elizabeth Callaghan (25), 73; gross, Doreen McGovern (12), 75; 3, Mary O’Shaughnessy (16), 74; 4, Sheila Crosbie (14), 75; Seniors, Ann Kelly (18), 76.
Burrow, twelve-hole singles: 1, Kathleen Goggin (30/20), 26 points; 2, Julie O’Brien (36/24), 25 points.
ROSSLARE
The PGA Tankard was played in Rosslare on Sunday, with quite a big entry. The winner with a great score of 43 points was one of our younger brigade, Bill Joyce. Bill (12) had a steady first nine holes, turning in 20 points. This included a birdie two at the second.
On the way home he really turned on the style. He had birdies at the twelfth, 14th and 18th and only dropped two shots for 23 points.
In second position on 40 points was the evergreen John Long (7). John had birdies at the ninth and 14th in halves of 21 and 19, and his gross 75 beat his age by quite a few shots.
In third position on 39 points was Anthony Duggan (6), with Donal O’Keeffe Jnr. (10) a point behind in fourth position.
Gary Collins (+3) played a perfect round with 13 pars and birdies at the third, fifth, twelfth, 13th and 17th to win the gross on 67. Another Senior member, Liam Hayes (22), won the veterans with 39 points.
Scotch foursomes: 1, Seán Mernagh (13) and Frank Devoy (24), 67.6; 2, James Fehilly (6) and B. O’Connell (8), 68.6; 3, John Barron (8) and Kevin Foran (13), 69.
Burrow (twelve holes): 1, Paddy Cummings (21), 29 points; 2, Joe Moran Snr. (15), 26 points.
On the inter-club scene there was mixed luck. The Fred Daly team had a second win in the competition, beating Enniscorthy 3-2.
The team was John Brady, Brendan Rossiter, Martin Roche, Nathan O’Brien and Niall Griffin. The manager was Colman Doyle.
The mixed foursomes team went down 3.5 to 1.5 to a very strong Wexford. Playing for Rosslare were Robin Gardner and Valerie Doyle, Pat and Norrie Goff, Tim Quinlivan and Joan Bowe, Jim Cullimore and Máire Farrell, Kevin Foran and Angela Murphy. The managers were John Galvin and Niamh Byrne.
The club hosted a girls’ international last week and some great golf was witnessed. Ireland beat Wales over the three days.
Fixtures: Saturday, May 6, ladies’ and gents’ fourball; Sunday, May 7, monthly medal, strokes, blue course; veterans’ singles on green course.
WEXFORD
The boys’ and girls’ Junior Academy is starting again on Saturday, May 13. Parents with children interested in playing golf and being properly coached are asked to contact the Pro Shop.
We would also encourage parents to sign up to help with one session of this coaching programme. Coaching will be under the expert guidance of our two resident professionals, Liam Bowler and Darren Walsh.
The Talbot Collection monthly medal was played on Saturday, and the winner for April was Brad Cohen with an excellent score of 69 nett.
The category winners were: 0-9, Jim Turner, 72 nett; 10 to 18, Nick Harpur, 70 nett; 19-28, Ben MacAleese, 72 nett, and the vets’ winner was Michael Wadding with 71 nett. Thank you to our sponsor, the Talbot Collection Group, for their continued support.
Sunday’s competition was the Holmpatrick Cup qualifier and the winners were John Ffrench and Kieran Carroll with 41 points.
Friday’s three-person team event was won by Brad Cohen, Pearse Frawley and Derek Casey on 63 points.
Wednesday’s fourball was won by the deadly duo of Tommy Hynes and Pat ‘Kenny’ Walsh with 36 points (back seven). Second place went to Noel Martin and John Byrne with 36 points.
Visitors’ prizes went to Mary Power and Betty Bowe from Tramore, and Lesley Coleman and Anne Murphy, also of Tramore.