Kate Biggane presents her lady captain’s prizes on Friday and Saturday
The spotlight will be firmly on the ladies club on Saturday as Kate Biggane presents her lady captain’s prizes to the various sections of the club. With prospects high for a continuation of the current fine weather, all is ready for the big event. The course is in superb condition thanks to the work of our greenkeeper Pat Murphy and course staff. Much credit also goes to our course manager Michael Nevin. With excellent prizes on offer for both the ladies and gents competitions it promises to be a great couple of days. We wish the very best of luck to all taking part on Friday and Saturday.
Kate Biggane joined Mitchelstown Golf Club in 2007 with her husband Pat. From conversations with Kate over the years we know she was hooked on the game from the very beginning.
Her enthusiasm for golf meant that when called upon to go on teams she did not hesitate to participate. She loves match play and played on Duhallow, challenge, minor and intermediate cup teams. She also won two bronze medals during her membership so far. In 2013 she won lady captain Rita O’Brien’s prize and in 2015 she won president Jerry Quinn’s prize to the ladies.
Over the years Kate and Pat have been sponsors of prizes and for any lady who takes a rest on the seat at the 9th hole it’s thanks to Kate.
This year the lilies have started to bloom in the pond at the 15th hole. These were donated and planted by Pat and Kate. They are there for the pleasure of all who glance at the pond as they pass by on their way to the green, or while in the hopeful search for a ball in the pond.
It came as no surprise that when we needed a lady captain this year she volunteered and she has enthusiastically embraced the role and has worked really hard to ensure that golf for ladies membership is as successful as possible. She made lots of phone calls to get members involved in teams. She set up and organized golf lessons for our new members, getting them started on the road to play in teams in the future. She contacted sponsors and is very appreciative of their support as are all the members of the club. 2021 has been a difficult year with the challenges of Covid-19 and Zoom meetings. However it was made easier due to Kate’s warm and pleasant personality. Her positivity and can do attitude helped her to have a very successful year so far.
Her hard working committee have taken their lead from her which is not surprising.
All sections of the club extend best wishes to Kate in advance of the highlight of her year as lady captain. We know that Kate will enjoy the special occasion with husband Pat and family and wide circle of friends. Congratulations Kate. This is the first of our majors for 2021 and we as members embrace the occasion. Best of luck to all taking part.
MEN’S CLUB NEWS
Last weekend saw the hosting of the Laya Classic. It was a bright and breezy start to the weekend, but by Sunday temperatures had risen significantly and the course was resplendent in the bright sunshine. It is amazing how quickly the ground conditions have changed with a significant run on the ball and the speed of the greens going up a notch or two. After the spring just endured this is a very welcome change and hopefully there will be many more weekends like this over the summer. This weekend sees the ladies club host lady captain Kate Biggane’s prize and the men’s club would like to wish lady captain Kate and her husband Pat the very best for the weekend on what is a special occasion for captain Kate, her family and friends. As is the tradition, there will be a lady captain’s prize for men and the format is an 18 hole singles competition which can be played on Friday, July 2 or between 13.30 and 16.30 on Saturday, July 3. Refer to the timesheet on BRS for further details and available tee times. There will also be an 18 hole open singles on Sunday, July 4 sponsored by Dave Conroy of Top Oil. Many thanks to Dave for your continued and loyal sponsorship.
JOHN LINEEN WINS 77TH HOSTING OF THE MURPHY CUP
The results of the Murphy Cup, run over the weekend of June 18-20, which was also the first of our Golfer of the Year events, was won by John Lineen (27.7) with a magnificent total of 45 points. This is a fantastic tally, well played John and needless to say you had a couple of points to spare on next finisher Michael Keaney playing off 12.9 with a total of 42 points which on many other occasions would have been sufficient to be in the winner’s circle. The gross was taken by the ever consistent captain Kieran Dennehy (1.2) on 36 points with Des McCarthy (13.0) in third place with 41 points. As the Murphy Cup is a member’s only competition there was an 18 hole open singles run in parallel which was won by Jamie O’Byrne (14.7) from Ballyneety with 42 points having a better back nine than Joe O’Gorman (15.2) who also had 42 points.
LADIES CLUB NEWS
Results from ladies stroke competition Wednesday, June 23 1st Eithne Birmingham (14.0) 70, 1st silver Siobhain O’Mahony (11.1) 71 (b9), 1st Bronze Bunty Flynn (22.5) 72 (b9).
The Intermediate Challenge Cup team were narrowly beaten by Tipperary, we had a very sporting game, but our opposition proved stronger on the day.
INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS
In what is an extremely busy period for the club teams due to the Covid enforced condensed schedule, the Bruen Cup team were in second round action against a well-fancied Thurles outfit. Unfortunately, Mitchelstown came up short on a scoreline of 3.5 to 1.5 points. Thurles had home advantage with 3 pairings in Thurles and made it count taking 2.5 out of a possible 3. The Mitchelstown home pairing of Ned Finn and John Herlihy were the Mitchelstown point scorers finishing out their match on the 16th.
The men’s club would like to thank team manager Ned Finn and the team of Rory McMahon and Shane Fleming, Michael English and Denis Howard, Vinny Ryan and Larry Hickey, Ned Finn and John Herlihy, Jack Quirke and John Barratt and extended panel for their time and commitment over the last number of weeks.
The Senior Cup team are back in action on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Tipperary golf club after their fine win over Clonmel two weeks ago. The men’s club would like to wish team captain Kieran Dennehy and the team all the best in their upcoming match at this elite level of golf.
At the other end of the golfing spectrum but no less competitive the All-Ireland fourball team make their seasonal bow next Friday, July 2 against Cahir Golf Club with a starting tee time of 16.20.
Again the men’s club would like to wish team manager Chris Ablett and his team of Michael Fogarty and Joe O’Gorman, Kieran Casey and John Courtney, Batt Power and Jerry Kearney, Ed Fitzgerald and David Walsh, Micheal Hennessey and Oliver Boland all the best on the day.
The club would like to welcome members to offer their support on the respective days. Note that it has been advised that members should not travel to support the away pairings, which is just another unfortunate pandemic related restriction.
TUESDAY COMPETITION
Our popular Tuesday evening competition is now firmly re-established in the summer schedule with the caveat that it is now an allday competition to avoid congestion and facilitate extra members to play with the current timesheet restrictions. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the format for the 12 holes will be holes 1 to 12 to avoid cross over and all players will have to book in on the BRS system. The competition on Tuesday, June 22 was won by Martin O’Sullivan (19.4) on 28 points with Jim Moran (9.6) on 27 points in second place on best back 6. Best lady on the night was Eibhlin O’Brien with 28 points.
WEDNESDAY QUALIFIER SPONSORED BY KEARY’S MOTOR GROUP
The gents’ Wednesday Qualifier has made a welcome return over the past couple of weeks. The format is as previous years with weekly winners qualifying for the final to be held on the weekend of 1/2/3 October. Details of the final will be released closer to the time. The club are delighted to welcome on board Keary’s Motor Group for the sponsorship of our Wednesday qualifier and look forward to a successful running of our Qualifier series throughout the summer period. As always, the Qualifier series also provides an ideal opportunity for competitive golf during the week. Last week’s qualifier was won by Jack Quirke (9.1) taking first place on 41 points.
SEANOIRI NEWS
Results of senior’s open today as follows; Brendan Reid, Sean Buckley and Tom Roe - 61pts. 2nd Richard Cahill, Stephen Murphy at John Seymour - 58pts (B 9). 3rd - Barry Walsh, Tim O’Connell and Sonny O’Connell 58pts (B15). 4th - Pat McGrath, Billy Walsh and Tom Doody 58pts. Thank you all for your attendance.
Winners of Thursday’s champagne scramble as follows: Ml Fogarty, W Casey, Ch Dowling and P McGrath - 48pts. 2nd - P Darren, S Buckley and Br Reid 47 pts. 3rd - Wm Morrison, Ml O’Sullivan and C Dolan 46pts. Next week we are going back to timesheet. Draw after competition for team prizes because people are booking late.
JUNIOR AND JUVENILE COACHING
Anyone willing to help out with juniors would be very welcome and the junior and juvenile steering group is working on getting PGA Pro for coaching sessions. Members are reminded that the tee is reserved for junior coaching from 4pm to 6pm every Saturday. The club is taking applications for junior and juvenile membership. For those interested, please contact 025-24072 during normal office working hours.
ANYONE FOR GOLF? WE’RE OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIP
Our membership continues to increase in line with our growth plan and management expectations. 2021 looks like it is going to follow the trends set in 2018, 2019 and 2020. During those years Mitchelstown Golf Club saw a significant influx of new members, including many from other sporting backgrounds, and the club is delighted to welcome back all our new and returning members. With our course looking in fantastic condition we have a superb product to offer to golfers of all levels wishing to join us. We have a range of attractive membership options available for a period of time and a top class golf course to offer to new and returning members. Golf offers a sporting outlet and challenge for everyone. We would be more than happy to welcome you as a new member if golf is something you might be interested in pursuing as a sporting challenge whether you are involved in contact sports or not.
Details can be found on our website www.mitchelstown-golf.com or can be had by phoning 025-24072. It’s great to be back playing the game we love and we’re delighted to let you know that we’re open for membership. Our president Kieran Casey, along with club captains Kieran Dennehy and Kate Biggane, extend a warm welcome to all our new members.
SOME IMPORTANT COMPETITION DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Our captain Kieran Dennehy will be hosting his captain’s prize on Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24. Our president Kieran Casey will present his prize to the men’s and ladies clubs on August 27 and 28. The second of the Golfer of the Year events, the O’Donovan Cup will be hosted on the weekend of the 9, 10 and 11 July.