Mullingar Golf Club notes
MGC Pro Shop
The recruitment of a club professional is proceeding and members will be informed once a successful candidate has been appointed. There is great interest in the position and hopefully it will be filled in time for the busy summer months.
In the meantime, Mikey, Matthew and Darian are staffing the Club Pro-Shop and are providing us all with our every need before we tee off from the first tee. Members are encouraged to drop in and give them our support and if there is an item you require this can be ordered. They are providing an essential service in a most friendly and professional manner, for which we are all most grateful.
Men’s Branch
Last week, the course was closed for most part of the week due to winter weather conditions. And since last Saturday, the excessive wind and heavy rainfall, brought about by Storm Isha, ensured that no golf, competitive or otherwise, could be played.
That said, the weather did not put a halt to all activity on the course. In tandem with the great work carried out by our maintenance team, DAR Golf is continuing with reshaping and drainage works on the 18th. Once works commence on the third hole, most competitions will be played over 15 holes. On any given competition day, directions will be issued as to the specific 15 holes and the order that they must be played. Every effort is being made to complete all works in the shortest possible time, and the patience and co-operation of all golfers is greatly appreciated.
All through the 1980’s, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus of Hill Street Blues would constantly impress upon everyone, with his weekly reminder of: “Hey, let’s be careful out there!”. And so it must be with us, when out on the golf course in the coming weeks, please maintain an awareness of conditions underfoot and all around you. Avoid slips, trips and falls, which can occur all too easily at this time of year. Be especially mindful not to encroach into areas where the contractor is working.
Fair Green TV Winter League
Not many scores recorded last week in the on-going battle to secure Mick McCarthy’s sought-after prize. The competition is fierce within each category and, since last week, the lead has already changed in Categories 1, 2 and 3. It takes a brave, young (and dare I say fool-hardy) golfer to kick our captain off top spot. We will be eagerly watching how this and all four categories develop to their eventual conclusion. Play well one and all.
After 12 weeks, the following are the standings at the top of the 4 categories:
Category 1:
Adam Conroy (9) 256 points; Andrew Maslin (8) 253 points; John Plunkett (9) 242 points; Joe Kelly (9) 232 points.
Category 2:
Rodney Martin (15) 254 points; Ger O’Sullivan (16) 227 points; Finian Whelehan (11) 216 points; Stephen Lyons (12) 211 points.
Category 3:
Niall Conroy (18) 238 points; John Ahern (18) 234 points; John O’Toole (17) 227 points; Martin Little (17) 219 points.
Category 4:
Mark Gavin (25) 237 points; Pat Layde (33) 227 points; Willie Geraghty (22) 212 points; Pat O’Rourke (28) 210 points.
Note: This competition was initially intended to be run over 15 weeks, with the best eight scorecards to contribute to each competitor’s final tally. With the course so unplayable this winter, the Men’s Branch Committee has decided to extend the competition another two weeks, from 15 out to 17 weeks. However, counting cards will remain the same at eight in number.
The current week is Week 14 (Sun Jan 21 – Saturday Jan 27). Many thanks again to our generous Sponsor Mick McCarthy.
Sunday competition
Last Sunday was cancelled thanks to the wet and windy weather brought about by Storm Isha.
Next Week’s Competitions
Winter League continues with the current week being Week 14 (Sun Jan 21 – Sat Jan 27).
Sunday January 28 will be singles stableford played over 15 holes off white tees and will again be sponsored by the Men’s Branch. (Please note the playing handicap limit of 28.)
Other News
It might be of interest, to golfers and non-golfers alike, to note that there is science now to support the game. This is acknowledged by a school project entered in the recent BT Young Scientist Exhibition, by two students of Virginia College, Co. Cavan. The students, Seán King and Daniel Lynch (teacher Matthew Hynes), presented ‘Different Club, Different Game’, a project investigating how the ‘loft angle’ and ‘brand’ of golf club may affect the distance a golf ball travels. Their experiments and analyses concluded that ‘loft angle’ has a most significant impact on the distance a golf ball travels. In addition, it is somewhat gratifying to know that it is not the brand of golf club, but rather the skill and talent of the golfer, striking the ball, that significantly determines how far the golf ball travels.
Shot Of The Day
Once the golf season tees off in earnest, if not before, the Men’s Branch cordially invites members to submit a suitable photograph for consideration and inclusion in the weekly press report.
You may find yourself in the company of an up-and-coming golfer, or witness to a hole-in-one, a longest drive, or an exceptional shot. Even an unnatural sight, like a fox crossing the fairway with your ball in its mouth, would happily merit inclusion.
In the event, we would encourage that such a photograph should be snapped quite quickly and the event recorded for posterity. Moreover, an exceptional photo should attract a worthy prize sponsored by the committee.
Mullingar Golf Club Ladies Branch Notes
The eagerly anticipated ladies competition faced another setback as winter weather conditions forced closure of the course. The unrelenting cold, frost and icy conditions deemed the golf course unsuitable for play. Disappointed ladies now look forward to next weeks competition to showcase their skills on the green.
Upcoming Fixtures
January 24: Ladies 9 hole fourball betterball kindly sponsored by Miriam Mac Manus and Julie
Delahunty Moore
January 31: Ladies 9 hole Stableford Kindly sponsored by Rosemary Whelehan. Alternate days Saturday and Sundays prior to Wednesday competition.
Pharmed Winter League
Competition is heating up as matches have commenced. Good luck to all teams and thanks to Pharmed for their continued support of our Ladies Branch winter league. Don’t forget closing date for all quarter final matches to be played is February 4.