A time of reflection

Let us reflect on a very good year in the club despite the worst year weather-wise. Our open days, with the exception of two, proved quite successful, particularly during the "fine week" in June for Open Week.The Irish Ladies Girls" Championships went off very smoothly, thanks to the trojan work of the ladies branch under the able leadership of our Lady Captain and Lady President in conjunction with the ILGU.We witnessed an enthralling final between the phenomenal fourteen year old Maguire twins from Cavan.The major members" events, the Lady Captain"s prize and Captain"s prize events produced very worthy winners as did the Presidents" days. Our big August Bank holiday event, the Grant Thornton Scratch trophy, again proved to be an outstanding success with some marvellous golf from Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) who spreadeagled a fine field. Our own Des Morgan was a very worthy runner-up with a score that would win on many a year. Des was also runner-up to his friend, Shane in the West of Ireland final at Easter. He did have the consolation of winning the prestigious Midland Scratch Trophy in Carlow. We also recall and congratulate Michael O"Grady on annexing the USOAGA title in Kentucky, to add to his many other titles.So near on the Inter club sceneBoth the ladies and men"s teams went through the early part of the season on a roll and it looked like either or both branches were destined for big results. Lady luck, alas, decided otherwise and a handful of our teams fell at the second last or last "hurdle" (the JB Carr and FBD Barton Cup).The gents did collect the Kestral Cup and Castle Barna Shield. We have no reason not to be optimistic about the immediate future. We obviously took delight in the middle of our gloomy summer at the almost incredible achievements of our centenary Scratch trophy winner, Padraig Harrington in defending the Open and then adding the U.S.P.G.A.title.