Galgorm’s Hill takes Scratch Trophy after exciting finish

MULLINGAR GOLF CLUB: The past week saw some outstanding weather facilitate a full schedule of events in Mullingar Golf Club once the Scratch Trophy concluded on Monday August 1.

Anyone who was not playing golf was probably at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in the town centre itself which was an absolutely outstanding success.

Mullingar Scratch Trophy

Galgorm Castle’s Joshua Hill won the 60th Mullingar Scratch Trophy in super style last Bank Holiday Monday August 1 with a final round score of 78 to win by a single stroke from Max Kennedy of Royal Dublin, who was tied for second with Brandon St John of Portmarnock, who shot 66 and 68 respectively in the final round.

While 78 was a high final round score and some 12 and 10 shots worse than those who tied for second, it is worth mentioning that Joshua Hill did, and had to, birdie 17 and 18 to win by the single stroke and this, given the weather, was an outstanding achievement in these circumstances. It is also worth noting that, in getting to -8 and on a total of 280, Joshua Hill had 18 birdies and three eagles in his 72 holes, outstanding golf by any measure.

We would like to thank Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt and Davitt as well as Pinergy for their continued sponsorship of this very successful event, as well as Andrew Maslin, event secretary, for delivering an excellent event and look forward to 2023 and beyond.

Ladies’ Branch

Last Wednesday’s competition was generously sponsored by DJM Accountants Mullingar. Congratulations to all our winners. In 1st place was Mary Taaffe with 41 points. In 2nd place was Ann McGarry with 40 points. 3rd Gross went to Dorothy O’Keeffe with 24 gross points. Category 1 went to Marion Bate with 37 points. Category 2 went to Joan O’Carroll with 38 points. Category 3 went to Josephine Purcell with 38 points.

The Senior 18-hole winner was Cepta Reidy with 38 points. Super Senior winner was Patience Collier with 36 points. The back nine winner was Sinead Weir with 22 points. The nine-hole sweepstake winner was Liz Osbourne on 23 points.

Upcoming ladies’ competitions

This Wednesday August 10 is a major stroke play competition, Mr President Tommy Lyng’s Prize to the ladies. The August 17th competition is a stableford competition sponsored by Past Lady Captains’ and on August 24 is an open three-person team event. While the summer is moving on, we still have lots of golf to play and some superb events coming up. The course is in fabulous condition, please come out and enjoy it.

Men’s Branch Long Handicap Competition

Over 50 members participated in Vice-Captain Steven O’Hara’s Long Handicap Prize. With the course still in excellent condition since the excitement from the previous weekend’s Scratch Trophy it would take a good score to win a category prize, played over 15 holes.

Equal to the task were the winners; Category 1 Ger O’Sullivan (19) with 35 points, Category 2 Pat Hayden (24) with a score of 37 points and Category 3 Pat Layde (35) with 33 points. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the Vice Captain Steven for his generous support.

Sunday Competition

Men’s Branch Past Captains sponsored last Sunday’s competition which drew a large field. Played in fine weather conditions with the course once again in excellent condition the winners were: Overall David Dolan (22) with 41 points, Gross John Swarbrigg (2) with 36 points, Category 1 was Joseph McDonagh (5) with 39 points, Category 2 was Richard Crowley (15) with 38 points, Category 3 was John Ahern with 37 points, Category was 4 Anthony Geraghty (22) with 38 points and Senior was Peter Keegan (7) with 38 points. Brendan Ganly (19) won the past captain’s prize with 32 points. Thanks all past captains who sponsored this popular competition.

Junior Boys

Played on the day after the Mullingar Scratch Trophy, the course was in outstanding condition for the junior programme. It also presented more of a challenge which was more than met by the winners. In first place in Class 1 was Aaron Smith with 71 nett, Daniel McCann was in second place with 72 nett and in third place was David Trower with 73 nett.

The winners in the other categories were Class 2A Thomas Kerrigan, Ben Thornton and James Flynn, Class 2B were Rian Sheerin, Oisin Kehoe and Luke Murtagh, Class 3A was Cian McDonnell, Hugo Corroon and Oisin Kelly. Class 3B winners were Conor Quinlan, Ben Smith and James Donoghue.

Next week’s competitions

Next Thursday’s Long Handicap competition is sponsored by the O’Brien Family and next Sunday’s 18-hole single stroke competition is sponsored by Mr President Tommy Lyng. The competition is played from the blue tees with the Top 64 nett scores qualifying for a play-off.

Please note: In order to win first prize in the President’s Prize, eligible players must have played in at least 5 qualifying competitions (in Mullingar Golf Club) in the previous 12 months. Also, there is a playing Handicap Limit of 28 in place in order to win 1st prize. Country, Overseas, Junior & Summer members are not permitted to enter the Mr. Presidents Prize.

Mullingar Golf Club wishes to congratulate the Mullingar Fleadh Executive Committee and, in particular, it’s Chairman Joe Connaire for the wonderful Fleadh which took place in Mullingar over the past week. It was truly a fabulous occasion where we able to celebrate our cultural heritage and provide valuable performance opportunities for all performers who took part. Well done to all involved.