John Cooney wins President"s Prize in blanket finish

The concluding nine hole play-off in the President"s (Mr John Maher) Prize took place on Saturday evening last in almost ideal weather conditions.The underfoot conditions were a bit sticky after the prolonged wet spell, which perhaps with the big occasion helped to push the scores up a notch or two from last year.At the conclusion of the twenty seven holes only two shots separated the first seven competitors. The popular winner of the beautiful first prize was John Cooney, who returned a nett one hundred and five to win by one shot from Peter Dunne and Derek Newcombe. The gross prize was won by Paul Burke by one shot from a quartet of players, while the seniors" prize was won by Tom Daly by a half shot from another couple.All in all there was some very keen competition. The unlucky player of the event was Martin Gavin, who was pipped for all the major prizes including the best gross. There was a fine turnout of members for the competition presentation and that of the nine holes mixed fourball, which took place on the back nine in tandem with the President"s Prize.President"s Prize - Full ResultsWinner - John Cooney (18) (70 + 35) 105 nett; Runner-up - Peter Dunne (20) (72 + 34) 106; Third - Derek Newcombe (10) (71 + 35) 106; Best Gross - Paul Burke (2) 116; Fourth - Dan Grehan (8) (70 + 37) 107; Leading Qualifier - Larry Mahedy (15) 70; Senior - Tom Daly (17) (75 + 34.5) 109.5Nine hole fourball - First - Donald and Geraldine Bell (22 pts), Second - Philip and Brenda Butterly (22 pts), Third - Tom Lyng and Paula Dunne (21 pts).Canton Casey"s Open Seniors attracts fine entryThe rescheduled Canton Casey"s Landmark Pub gents seniors open day attracted a fine entry on Monday week, August 25. Playing conditions were good despite the wet season and light showers for part of the day. Some fine scores were returned, particularly late evening after the rain. The first prize again went to an Athlone Golf Club member. Eddie Shanahan"s thirty eight points got the top award by the minimum from Liam Daly with Barry Smyth one shot further back. Compliments to all who turned up for the prize presentation and a sincere thanks to Eddie from the sponsoring company. We look forward to more of the same in 2009.Full ResultsWinner - Ed Shanahan (18, Athlone) 38 points; Second - Liam Daly (15, Mullingar) 37 points; Third - Barry Smyth (11, Mullingar) 36 points; Fourth - Michael Duffy (12, Mullingar) 35 points; Div. 1 - Michael Purcell (7, Mullingar) 35 points; Div. 2 - Benny O"Dowd (14, Mullingar) 35 points; Div. 3 - Michael Howley (21, Rosses Point) 34 points.Long HandicapThere was another fine turnout for last Thursday"s event, which was generously sponsored by Vinny Bagnall and some fine scores were returned over the 12 holes. The winner with a superb thirty points was Eugene Dunne (18), who had just one to spare over the runner-up Andrew O"Rourke (19) who in turn won his prize from the third placed finisher, Dermot Moloney (19) by the narrowest margin.The prize presentation takes place on this coming Thursday, September 4. The competition on this day is being generously sponsored by Lady Captain, Miriam McManus.Inter-Club affairsWe wish the very best to our Barton Cup team as they play the second leg of the final away to Enniscorthy on Saturday next, September 5. Your support would be appreciated and for your comfort the committee has arranged for a bus, which I believe will be leaving the clubhouse car park at 8.30 sharp. (Notices regarding same are posted on the various notice boards).Our Newsome Cup squad had a very good win on Sunday evening last against Killinbeg Golf Club and as a result now contest the final in Royal Tara in the middle of September. Commiserations to the Jimmy Carroll team who were narrowly beaten in the Leinster Final play-offs in Castlewarden last week. Our JB Carr side are in action this week in the Leinster final (second leg) and are wished the best of luck.Tom Timmons Construction Co. open singles attracts a fine entryLocal competitor Michael Liddy tops the boardOne of our best entries in a non-major competition took to the field on Sunday last for the popular Tom Timmons Construction open singles stableford competition. Weather conditions were ideal and with the course playing long off the "blues", good scoring was hard to come by. Not so for Michael Liddy, who spreadeagled the large field with a fabulous forty one points, and will now boast a brand new handicap.Mick had three points to spare over another local, Richard Whelehan, who, I believe from his regular partners, is going through a rich vein of form currently and may also sport a new handicap. The other four prizes were shared between members and visitors and the presentation of the prizes will take place on Sunday, September 14 with the AIB Open mixed foursomes, which takes place also on that day.Full Results of Sunday"s competition:Winner - Ml. Liddy (12) 41 points; second - Richard Whelehan (13) 38 points; third Stephen Bray (7, Mullingar) 37 points; fourth Mark Richards (8, Elm Park) 37 points; fifth - Paul McGowan (18, Glencullen) 37 pts; best gross - Paul Burke (3, Mullingar) 33 pts.Lady President"s PrizeBest Wishes to Lady President Sylvia with her Lady President"s prize competition on Sunday next. Let"s hope the sun shines from dawn to dusk. Members are reminded of nine-hole event later in the day with time sheet.Mullingar Golf Club - Ladies Branch notesMr. Captain Pat Keenaghan"s Prize to the ladies took place last Wednesday, August 27 having previously been cancelled due to our inclement weather of late.Results18 hole strokeCaptain"s Prize to the ladies1st Joanne Killian 73 nett; 2nd Jeanette McDonnell 74 nett; Gross Lucy Tormey 83 nett; 3rd Josephine Purcell 74 nett; 4th Dorothy O"Keeffe 74 nettCategory I Cathy Smith 75 nett; Category II Phil Fitzsimons 76 nett; Category III Noreen Abbott 75 nettBest 36 Handicap Tina Murphy 82 nett; Senior 18 hole Doreen Casey 76 nett; Front 9 Mary McCauley 35.5 nett; Back 9 Eileen Devine 37.5 nett; Senior 9 hole Margaret Kilroy; Beginner 6 hole Attracta Lennox 44 nett.