Super win for Mullingar

Our mixed foursomes team travelled to the very well appointed Castlewarden golf and country club on Saturday last for the semi-finals and final of the Leinster section of the 3 Irish Mixed foursomes inter club tournament and came home with the spoils, emulating the achievement of our 1992 squad. Our team, which was managed jointly by Mike Smith (who incidentally was team manager seventeen years ago) and Ann Fagan, played some superb, gutsy golf in their semi final match to pip Howth Golf Club by three matches to two, with the deciding game ending on the eighteenth green. In the other semi final between between The Castle Golf Club and Cill Dara, matters were closer still with the issue being decided on the first tie hole.In the final our side got off to a very good start and we were up in all matches after six holes. However, the experienced Dublin side slowly but surely clawed their way back into the match and midway through the second nine, we were up in just two games and under a bit of pressure in the others and without going into any detail we saw some very determined players battle away in the torrential rain (yes, it was torrential, despite none falling here). In the end we won three matches and had the luxury of calling in a game where we were dormie up.The players on duty on the day were: Paddy Dunne, Ann Hannon, Gerry Purcell, Siobhan O'Donnell-Murphy, Ann Marie Conlon, John G Kelly, Brege McCarrick, Bernard and Jeanette McDonnell, Aidan Tomkins, Bernie Kelly. Other members of the strong squad who played their part in getting the team to this stage were Frank McGinty, Joanne Killian, Julie Moore, Donald Bell and Danny Grehan.Our next outing with this squad is the All Ireland semi-final (and final!) on the first Thursday (and Friday!) in September in Bandon Golf Club. It was very encouraging to have so many spectators from the club on Saturday last. We look forward to the same in Cork for the finals, when we expect to go one step farther than 1992.Long Handicap Open proves very successfulThe annual MA Stephens and Co. sponsored long handicap open day again proved to be a very good success with good numbers participating. The prizes were shared by members and visitors with the top award going to our own John O'Toole, making a long awaited return to the winners' enclosure. His excellent forty three points only beat another local, Nicky Murtagh and a visitor from Tullamore by the narrowest of margins.Full results:First - John O'Toole, 18 (Mullingar), 43 points; Second - Nicholas Murtagh, 20 (do) 42 points; Third -Noel Lonergan, 19 (Tullamore) 42 points; Fourth - Lorcan Daly, 18 (Mullingar) 40 points; Fifth - Eugene Dunne, 18 (do) 40 points; Sixth - Michael Farrelly, 21 (Headfort) 39 points; Seventh - Michael Gilmartin, 18 (Mullingar) 38 points.Good scoring as Nigel Murtagh wins Seamus Bracken, Craft Butchers men's singles on Sunday lastIn very good conditions on Sunday last there was a fine turnout for the men's singles generously sponsored by Seamus Bracken, family butchers. The scoring was out of the top drawer with no less than fifteen players beating the competition standard scratch score and a dozen or so with handicap reductions to show for their efforts.The winner with an excellent forty two points was eleven handicapper Nigel Murtagh, making a welcome visit to the winners' enclosure. Nigel had just two points to spare from low handicapper (even lower now!) Gerry Mulligan and Alan Mills, who is showing a good turn of form of late. Presentation of prizes for this event will take place towards the end of the month and the prizeswinners will be notified in due course.Full resultsWinner - Nigel Murtagh (11) 42 points; second- Gerry Mulligan (7) 40 pts.; gross - John Dromey (4) 31 pts.; seniors - Sean Thornton (11) 37 pts.;Division 1 - Michael Kearns (9) 36 pts; Division 2 - Brendan Buckley (11) 38 pts.; Division 3 - Alan Mills (23) 40 pts; Juniors - Ross McKinley (5) 34 points.Club Classic on Friday nextI believe that the timesheet is full for our club classic, four person team event on Friday next, August 14. There is, however a three person invitational nine hole event on from 5.40pm or so for those who couldn't get on the timesheet for the classic. We look forward to an enjoyable social occasion after the golf.Lady Captain's Day on Sunday nextWe wish the best of weather and everything she wishes to our Lady Captain Geraldine Bell and the ladies' branch as they participate in Lady Captain's prize on Sunday next, August 16. Men are reminded that there will be a nine hole competition from shortly after 5pm. Book on the BRS.Ladies BranchThere was a fantastic entry for the Ladies Open Three Person Scramble sponsored by James Maguire on Wednesday last. Over one hundred and fifty players scrambled about the course from dawn until dusk diligently choosing their best options to see how low they could go. Two of our 'hot shot champions' from the Leinster Mixed Foursomes team, Bernie Kelly and Jeannette McDonnell teamed up with Mandy Reilly to shoot a magnificent score of 66.3 nett to win.Emma Woodhouse, Ger Walsh and Mary McCauley teed up on the 18th hole as the sun threw up its last rays and darkness fell. Undeterred, this group birdied the last with a display of feel and imagination to secure second place with 66.9 nett.Patience Collier, Nora McCormack and Tina Murphy rounded off the places with 68.3 nett. As ever there was a terrific turn out for the presentation with the ladies wishing to show their gratitude and support for James Maguire for his generosity and kindness to the members and to the ladies branch.Paddy and Siobhan Keogh were also on hand to present the prizes from the Wines Direct sponsored competition which took place earlier.Results1st B. Kelly (14), M. Reilly (15), J. McDonnell (18) 66.3 nett; 2nd E. Woodhouse (36), G. Walsh (22), M. McCauley (13) 66.9 nett; 3rd P. Collier (12), N. McCormack (19), T. Murphy (36) 68.3.