President"s Prize attracts fine entry in mixed weather conditions

There was a near record entry of competitors for the President"s (Mr. John Maher) Prize competition over the past week end, the numbers participating being a direct tribute to the esteem in which our club president is held by the members.With the Barton Cup final first leg taking place on Saturday last, extra time was allotted to this competition and it proved very necessary. All of Sunday was given to the event with the nine hole play off taking place on Saturday evening next at 5pm.Saturday evening"s competition was played in dreadful conditions, while the Sunday lads had very fine weather and the scores for each day reflected this.The leading qualifiers with nett seventy were Martin Gavin (8), John Cooney (18), Dan Grehan (8) and Larry Mahedy (15). One shot further back were Michael Kearns (9), John G. Kelly (8) and Derek Newcombe (10).Those on seventy twos were Peter Dunne (20) and Noel Gibney (19). The qualifying score was seventy six and in all there are twenty seven players in the play off including the top gross scores. Qualifiers are reminded to be present on time for the "shot gun" start. The above mentioned will commence at the first, second and third in threes.The following also made the cut, with their starting hole in brackets - Greg Cleary (3rd); Eddie Colgan, James Murtagh and Chris Garry (4th); Paul Quinn, Mick Gunning and George Lambden (5th); Peter Purcell, John Cunningham and Damien Daly (6th); Mark Derham, Michael Flanagan and Willie Moore (7th); Pat Rushe, Eddie Tynan and Tom Daly (8th) and Paul Burke, Ted Eighan and Tommy Carr on the ninth tee.Also on Saturday evening the competitions committee have organised a nine hole mixed fourball over the back nine at the same time and entries for same are invited on the appropriate board. Exciting inter club stuff - both Barton Cup and JB Carr sided hold three to two leads after first leg of their respective Leinster final matches.The Michael Moroney led JB Carr side hosted Tullamore on Thursday last and after some very well contested matches, played in fine conditions, hold a three matches to two lead going into the second leg on Wednesday week next. By contrast our Barton Cup squad under the captaincy of Frank McDonagh had to contend with some dreadful conditions, with the course bordering almost on the unplayable as they did battle with Enniscorthy and after some enthralling golf head for the South East on Saturday week next, September 6 defending a three matches to two lead with confidence.We congratulate the lads on the fare they served up in the appalling conditions and look forward to huge support for them in the second leg. Transport for supporters, I believe will be organised if demand is there; notices re same will be posted by end of week. Well done to the Joe Fallon managed Castle Barna Shield side who defeated the hosts last week, good luck in the remainder of the competition. No joy for the Walker Cup squad (Jim Prendergast leading) last week in Co. Meath. Best wishes to the Jimmy Carroll (John Cunningham, captaining) side who are involved in a play off this week in Castlewarden and to the Tom Lyng managed Newsome Cup side against Killinbeg on Sunday evening next.Captains" Mixed prize goes to the DuffysAs expected, there was a very good entry in pleasant weather conditions on Friday evening last for the Captains" (Pat Keenaghan and Miriam McManus) prizes. The ground conditions were very "sticky" after all the recent rain, which resulted in the scoring appearing more modest than in recent years. The popular winners with a fine score of 68.8 nett were Michael (12) and Ann (20) Duffy.The runners-up were Brendan Buckley (10) and Veronica Moran (17), returning 70.2, despite a rather indifferent finish. The popular winners of the best gross prize were Albert Lee (6) and Doreen Casey (18) with 82, while third spot went to regular contenders Michael (12) and Breda (33) Delaney with nett 70.6.Long HandicapLast Thursday"s long handicap competition, sponsored by BDM Chartered Accountants attracted another fine entry with some excellent scoring. The winner of the first prize with a superb twenty nine points was Paul McGann. Runner-up slot went to Seamus Clarke with twenty seven, while third prize went to Cyril Collier with 26 stableford points over the 12 holes.Presentation takes place on this coming Thursday evening, August 28. This Thursday"s event is sponsored by Vinnie Bagnall.Tom Timmons Singles on Sunday nextThe attraction for the gents on Sunday next is the Tom Timmons singles and the time sheet is fast filling. Let"s hope the weatherman is kind to us.