Mullingar Golf Club notes
The first of what could be termed, real competitions for the men took place on Sunday last. In cold, seasonal weather, there was a fine turnout of competitors for the annual competition for golf fare, in association with our club professional, John Burns.Some of the scoring from ,particularly, our younger members was outstanding with the best return a magnificent forty three stableford points from young Ross McKinley, with no less than a dozen players equalling or beating the standard scratch score of the day. Other scores of note were forty and thirty nine points respectively from low handicappers David Tynan and Peter Keegan and Stephen O"Hara. The best gross went to Kevin Metcalfe. The prize presentation will take place on Sunday evening next at 9.30 sharp.Full results: - Winner - Stephen O"Hara (12) 39 pts; runner -up: - David Tynan (5) 40 pts; Gross - Kevin Metcalfe (1) 37 pts; Division 1 - Peter Keegan (8) 39 pts; Division 2 - Benny O"Dowd (12) 38 pts; Division 3 - Tom E Moore (20) 35 pts; seniors - Pat Smyth (14) 38pts; Juniors- Ross McKinley (9) 43 points.Committee of Management prize to the mennext week-endThe time sheet is fast filling for the first "biggie" of the year - the management committee prize to the men and such is the popularity of this event that time for the event is also allocated on Saturday.Annebrook House Hotel Open FourballThe Easter weekend open fourball any combination kindly sponsored by the Annebrook House Hotel Mullingar is open for entries in the electronic system. Click on our web site and go to "open fixtures" to book your slot.Winter league result on a knife edgeThe final of the Morgan Golf men"s winter league is in progress and as a result of competitors taking part in inter club match was not fully complete. With four matches played it stands at two all and the fifth match is now crucial. Details of presentation night will be notified to all concerned.Men"s Seniors"golfLast Tuesday again saw a fine turnout in the weekly get together and the popular winner in a rich vein of form currently was Pat McKenna with 26 points. Pat won narrowly from our captain Mr. Damian Daly whose twenty five points pipped Pat Curran on tie break rule.The super seniors was again won by John Cunningham. Arrangements are in place for our annual away trip; this time I believe, to Castlehulme, by all accounts a beautiful venue.Ladies NotesIt was not the coldest day of the week but boy was it windy. The N.B.C.R.I. was the sponsor of our first 18 competition of the year. While the wind kept everyone on their toes, its presence has been improving ground conditions by the day. Jill Hegarty made light of the wind as she worked her way round the course recording 39 points to win easily.Runner-up was our handicap secretary, Marjorie Donoghue who shot a handicap equalling 36 points. Annemarie Conlon, a golfer who is showing terrific form lately, scored 35 points for third place. Annemarie Fagan, who is always there or thereabous in the shake-up, clinched the gross once again with a superb 24 points which bettered some of us (who shall remain nameless) even with our shots accounted for.Junior Girls attend I.L.G.U. coachingOn a trip to the locker room to collect the weekly haul of results and information, I ran into Fiona Burke and a chirpy bunch of juniors just back from a trip to Athy Golf Club.This group of Under 14 Junior Girls, Sarah Burke, Laura Hegarty and Fay Maloney were selected by the I.L.G.U. to participate in coaching with professional instructor, Gillian Burrell. The coaching has been running throughout the winter months and the girls say they are enjoying it very much.'There are girls on the training from other golf clubs' they said, 'Kilkenny and Carlow too.' No doubt they are in good company as Kilkenny and Carlow have produced their fair share of top women golfers over the years.It is just fantastic to see these girls fly the flag for Mullingar and we support and watch their progress with interest. Incidentally, keeping it in the family, Laura is the daughter of this week"s winner Jill Hegarty. Go girls!!Inter club mattersWe wish the best to our Irish mixed side as they take the field next week-end and congratulate our Leinster Fourball side on their first round win on Saturday last.