Mullingar Golf Club Notes

In fabulous, though unexpected, weather conditions on Sunday last the sixty sixth continuous annual running of the Army Cup competition took place.Underfoot conditions were somewhat heavy after Saturday"s torrents of rain; nevertheless there were some very good scores returned. The top score on the day, a superb forty two stableford points was returned by Gerry Wallace, which, surprisingly only got home by the minimum from single figure golfer Martin Gavin.The best gross prize was won by Des Morgan, who knocked it round in level par, while the category (division) winners were Ronan Maher, James O"Dowd and John Ahearn. The numbers who turned out for the presentation of prizes (the Garda prize presentation combined) were very much appreciated; long may it continue.Full Results:Winner: - Gerry Wallace (18) 42;Second: - Martin Gavin (7) 41;Best Gross: Des Morgan (+2) 36;Division 1:- 1st - Ronan Maher (3) 37, 2nd - Ml. Flanagan (7) 33, 3rd - Kieran Mc Gurran (9) 33.Division 2:- 1st - Jim O"Dowd (11) 35, 2nd - Ken Berry (15) 35, 3rd - Sonny Martin (13) 35.Division 3: - 1st John Ahearn (20) 35, 2nd - Ronan Murtagh (22) 34, 3rd - Jimmy Lynch (18) 33.Seniors: - 1st Damien Daly (Captain) (13), 2nd: Martin Shaw (22).Junior: - Mark Kelly (6) 36 points. Ladies" nine holes results - First: Julie Delahunty Moore ,20 points, second - Bernadette Solon, 19 points and third_ Brege Mc Carrick (18 points)Open week upcomingThe annual Open week commences next Saturday, May 30th and continues until Sunday week, June 7th. Hereunder is the list of events: - Saturday sees the Rotary open fourball, any combination and is almost full. Sunday the men in the ten to eighteen handicap bracket play for the long running and very coveted P.W.Shaw and Co. sponsored Open Intermediate Scratch Cup. On Monday the attraction is the Fagan Office Supplies three person mixed team event. Tuesday sees the four person any combination team event from around noon and prior to that from early morning to eleven thirty there is a boys" open event.Wednesday we host the Cassidy Hotel Men"s Open singles from early morning. Thursday"s event is the Bank of Ireland Men"s open fourball from noon and up to eleven thirty there is a parent and child open event. On Friday the attraction is The Bloomfield House Hotel annual open three person mixed team event.Saturday 6th June the attraction is the Gerry Wallace Men"s Open fourball and the week finishes with the forty fifth running of the thirty six hole Men"s Junior Scratch Cup (handicaps from 5 to 9), which this year is kindly sponsored by Sanrose golf course sand providers.After last cards (approx. four p.m.) on this day we are running an invitation mixed foursomes event. As can be seen from above there is a very good variety of events and while all events are fast filling through the electronic booking system, there is still some space available in most of the events; the forecast has it that we are in for a fine week like the last couple of years, so let"s keep our fingers crossed.Captain"s Prize competition down to last fourAs we go to print the last four in the Captain"s (Mr. Damien Daly) prize competition are Colm Murphy and Derek Plunkett in the top half after very close and entertaining wins over Aidan Tomkins and Paddy Dunne, who both found the concession of shots a bridge too far, while in the bottom half we have Pete Purcell, who beat Martin Smith in the quarters after an epic battle and he will meet Gerry Eyres, who played some superb stuff to overcome Eamon Shaw, most pundits" favourite for the event..The semi final is scheduled for this Tuesday evening and the thirty six hole final will happen on Friday next with the kick off at two o"clock sharp and the second round commencing at six. Looking at the four protagonists it will be difficult to predict a winner as a compelling case can be made for each of them; no matter who wins the coveted prize at the end of play on Friday they will definitely have earned it. We look forward to quite a few spectators out on the evening and the social committee has laid on fitting entertainment on the occasion, commencing immediately after the match.Long HandicapThis weekly event continues to attract fine entries and last Thursday"s competition was generously sponsored by Paddy Wallace with the following entering the winners" enclosure: First, with 31 stableford points was Eddie Byrne, who pipped Cyril Collier on the tie break. Third spot went to Joe Ryan (30 points). Prize winners and competitors who took part are reminded that the presentation for this event will be held on Thursday next 28th May.Ladies Branch NotesTotally YouTotally you were the sponsors of last Wednesday"s 18 holes singles stableford competition. Anne Duffy was the player in form on the day. With her usual determination she honed in on a terrific score of 38 points to claim the winners spot.  Anne Hannon carried her good play of late through to take second place with a handicap equalling score of 36 points.  Lucy Tormey carded 25 points for the best gross.  Regina Healy and Attracta Lennox both shot 35 points but it was Regina who came through to take third place by virtue of a better finish. Reports are that Attracta is a player to watch out for over the coming months. She strikes a fine ball and is sure to see her handicap tumble as the course conditions improve and her game continues to gel. Interclub MatchplayThere has been a lot of activity on the Interclub Matchplay scene in recent days.  Siobhan O"Donnell Murphy"s youthful looking Boyne Trophy team march on after a terrific win against Longford.They will meet the winners of Ardee versus Cavan in the next round.  Breda Conlon"s Junior Foursomes team had a great win against Portlaoise on Thursday last and Dor O"Keeffe"s Intermediate Cup team beat Rathdowney.  Next up for them will be Roscrea or The Heath. The Senior Cup was held in Enniscorthy this year and Mullingar were among the fourteen clubs fielding teams from the region this year.  The field was dotted with one past Curtis Cup player (Eileen Rose Power) and a host of players with international and inter-provincial credentials along with many other fine golfers.  While it can be difficult to compete in such company, there is always the opportunity to raise the game and pull off a surprise or two.  On this occasion Tramore were just too good for Mullingar winning 4 - 1. However, Mullingar are to host the Senior Cup next year which will be a spectacle of the very best of Midland amateur women"s golf. Come on girls let"s get a bunch of players into the single figure bracket and cause a rumpus!!Paula Dunne"s Challenge Cup team scored a fantastic victory over Glasson recently. Rosemary Whelehan, Hillary Sheckleton, Bernadette Solon, Carmel Monaghan and Alison O"Neill were in dominant form.  'We had two great wins at home' said Paula Dunne, 'and even though she was up against it, Rosemary Whelehan carried her great form through to win in Glasson on the 16th.' All have high hopes for this group of super players.  Keep it going. ResultsLadies 18 holes Singes Stableford1 Anne Duffy (21) 38pts; 2 Anne Hannon (17) 36 pts; Gr. L. Tormey (7) 25 pts; 3 Regina Healy (15) 35pts from A. Lennox (36) 35pts.