Mullingar Golf Club notes

In outstanding weather conditions there was a massive turnout of competitors for the coveted Lady Captain"s (M/s Geraldine Bell) prize to the men on Sunday last.From early morning to late in the evening there was a full time sheet and thankfully the sun shone for all of it.As expected in the conditions there were some good scores returned despite playing off the blue markers, which had the course playing the full 6683 yards with no run on the ball at all, but none better than Mark Keane, who had a rather indifferent front nine, but got his act together after double bogeying number 10 to come home in one over par from there and return a nett seventy one to pip a host of players by the minimum margin. The hard luck stories abounded from a lot of those who finished a shot or two off the lead, but that is the nature of the game, full of "ifs" and "shuddas".The runner up, by virtue of a better back nine holes was a welcome newcomer to the winners" enclosure - Michael McCormack on the break of a five or six way tie. The best gross prize went to Gary Shaw, who was out with the lark, returning a creditable 77.The division prizes were won by young Gregory Trappe, James O"Dowd and Philip Butterly, with 72, 71 and 71 respectively. The popular winner of the seniors" prize was Mr Captain Damien Daly (71 nett), while the juniors" section prize went to Mark Kelly with a fine 73 nett off 6 handicap. A word off appreciation to all who stayed aroundLady Captain"s prize to the men winner Mark Keane pictured with Lady Captain Geraldine Bell, Mr Captain Damien Daly and Mr President John Maher and other prize winners Gregory Trappe, Philip Butterly, Michael Mc Cormack and Mark KellyMen"s seniors" golfAs we continue with the 15 hole competition yet another large number of enthusiastic golfers took to the fairways on Tuesday 14th. Pride of place in the winners" enclosure went to the in-form Bruno Coghlan who pipped Tom Mulvee on the count back. Both players were off reduced handicaps due to recent successes but, yet they still led the field. In third place was Eamon Galligan.  The super seniors" category was won by Ned Timlin.  A reminder to members wishing to travel to Castle Hume on 19 May to put their names on the list by Tues 5th May. While a deposit has been placed, numbers need to be firmed up by that date.Prize winners in the Committee prize to the ladies pictured with Committee Chairman Liam Conlon and Lady Captain Geraldine Bell are from left back: Rosemary Whelehan, Rosaleen Shaw, Patience Collier, Siobhan O"Donnell-Murphy ,Josephine Purcell, Ann Hannon and Ber Chambers; front: Marjorie Donoghue (runner up) and Carmel Maher (winner)Rotary Prize on Sunday nextThe attraction for the men on Sunday next is the annual Rotary Club competitionAnd as always the places on the time sheet will be at a premium. The time sheet for the biggest event on the Men"s calendar Captain"s (Mr Damien Daly) qualifying round which takes place on Saturday/Sunday May 2nd and 3rd is available now on line.Inter club actionAs normal this is the busy time for inter club competition; the gents had two teams in action last Saturday and both progressed to the next round as they were successful in the Provincial Towns Cup against Kilcock and the Central Towns against neighbours Tullamore, respectively.We wish the best to those ladies", mixed and gents" teams in action this coming week end.Ladies BranchCarmel Maher wins Management Prize.Conditions on Wednesday last were brutal. It"s hard to dress it up any other way, but with the heavens pouring down, the long course in operation and pins in tough positions this was one challenging stroke play competition. The committee of Management prize was the first major of the year and all the stops were out for the cream to rise to the top.Only the one with the most patience and humour in the face of adversity was likely to win through. And she did. Carmel Maher was, as she always is, a popular winner. Playing off 21 she produced the round of the day with a 72 net. She said she 'was thrilled to win her first ever major prize'.Marjorie Donoghue, who has been playing consistently well, carded a 74 net to be a worthy runner-up. Patience Collier made a most welcome return to the winner"s enclosure with the best gross score. Anne Hannon took third spot with her handicap equalling 74 net.Categories 1, 2 and 3 were won by Siobhan O"Donnell Murphy (75 net), Mary Witter (76 nett) and Rosemary Whelehan (76 net) respectively. Ber Chambers took the honours for the front nine with 36.5 net while Josephine Purcell had the best score on the back nine with a 37 net. Catherine McDonnell"s 79 was marginally better than that of Doreen Casey"s to win the senior competition and Kathleen O"Hara was the best of the nine hole group.A fine evening of goodwill and the usual craic rounded off a trying day as Lady Captain Ger Bell welcomed the chairperson of management Liam Conlon to present the prizes.Full committee of management results.1st Carmel Maher (21) 72net;2nd Marjorie Donoghue (24) 74 net;Gross Patience Collier (12) 91;3rd Anne Hannon (18) 74 net;Cat.1 Siobhan O"Donnell Murphy (16) 75 net;Cat. 2 Mary Witter (21) 76 net;Cat. 3 Rosemary Whelehan (30) 76 net.