Rory McIlroy wins his maiden pro event at last

With the weather affected weekend golf programme put on ice we had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the "wonder kid" Rory McIlroy on telly as he played some superb golf to win his first professional golf tournament.Former World number one amateur (incidentally the points gained from winning our Scratch Trophy in August 2006 catapulted him into that position).He won the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday last from a very high class field with a superb score of seventeen under par. At only nineteen years of age and ranked inside the world top twenty, it is generally felt that now with this breakthrough there is no limit to where he can go.Winter League disruptedThe weather, particularly Friday"s downpour really set back the winter league plans for a lot of ladies and gents over, and leading up to, the weekend.However, quite a few returns were made during the week and we look forward to a good run of weather over the next couple of weeks or so to get things back on track. Updated positions will be posted anon.Men"s seniors" golfThere was a fine turnout in reasonable weather conditions on Tuesday last, January 27 and the scoring over the twelve holes was more than respectable with the following results: Winner - Ted Eighan (4) with 26 points on the tie break rule from Austin Witters (20). Third prize went to John Daly (21) with 25 points, again on a tie break from Tom Keegan who received the super seniors" prize. More of the same right through the spring.Ladies BranchWell! Sound the trumpets and ring the bells we"ve got a result! The winter golfers arrived in drifts on Wednesday last to play in the competition kindly sponsored by Margaret Forde. Our recently retired secretary, Pauline O"Hara made her golfing intentions for 2009 clear by scoring 21 points over the nine hole course to win. Freed up from admin duties for the ladies branch and perhaps with some extra time to apply to her game, Pauline could be one to watch out for on the course this year.Hot on Pauline"s heels, just a shot further back on 20 points, was Eileen Devine with Sarah Pringle rounding off the places with her 19 points securing third spot.Siobhan O"Donnell Murphy has been showing a promising vein of form lately and confirmed this with an 11 point tally to take the best gross of the day.The Winter League has received another stay as the deadline for cards has been extended to February 15.This is a welcome extension, as it has been proving difficult to get results in with the poor weather conditions of late.The committee, however, are monitoring the competition and are determined to ensure that the Winter League will finish in its entirety on an acceptable schedule.SocialI believe the social sub committee have arranged a couple of events for the spring, starting with a table quiz in the middle of February (18th) for members and friends. Judging by the success of last year"s event it should be again most enjoyable.Catering FranchiseeThe club, I believe, has appointed a catering franchisee, Mr. Gerard O"Riordan, whom we wish the very best of success, to cater to our gastric needs and by all accounts his fare is something to look forward to. We would urge members, and indeed their families and friends to utilise this facility.