President's prize first round complete at last

The eighteen hole qualifier for the President's (Mr. John Maher) prize was completed on Sunday last.The underfoot conditions were very challenging after the recent prolonged rainfalls; however the weather remained fairly kind to us with what could be described as a heavy drizzle for a couple of hours around lunchtime. Despite the heavy conditions, off the 'blues' there were some very good scores returned. Seventy fives and ties made the 'cut'.The leader going into the nine hole play off where the scores will be accumulated is Tom Moore, the only competitor to breech the seventy barrier who has two to spare from John Keane, Sean Kilroy and Barry Smyth. Tom also can claim his very first 'Sunday' first prize as leading qualifier and boast a brand new handicap.Whereas it is generally felt that the winner will come from said quartet, those on the seventy one mark, Brian Thornton, Finian Whelehan, Paul Tynan and Kieran Hynes will feel they are in with more than a shout. The seventy two trio of Tom Timmons, Pete Purcell and Ronan Maher won't feel out of it either. The play-off, with a shotgun start, will take place on Saturday evening next at 5pm sharp and in conjunction with same there will be a nine hole three person scramble over the back nine with the same shotgun start. We look forward to a great evening's golf and some entertainment afterwards.President's Prize leadingqualifiers:68 - Tom Moore (20);70 - John Keane (9), Sean Kilroy (13) and Barry Smyth (11);71 - Brian Thornton (18), Finian Whelehan (11), Paul Tynan (13) and Kieran Hynes (13);72 - Peter Purcell (11), Tommy Timmons (13) and Ronan Maher (3).The leading contenders for the gross prize are: Des Morgan (71), Ronan Maher (76), Paul Burke (76). Best of luck is wished to all in the play-off. If for some reason any qualifier is unavailable for the play off on Saturday please contact the Competitions Committee Chairman or Branch Secretary by Friday evening before the draw for starting holes is made.Men's Long HandicapLast Thursday again saw a large turnout for the weekly long handicap event over twelve holes. The generous sponsor was Gerry Wallace and the competition produced another first time winner. PJ Glennon (18) returned an excellent twenty nine points. He finished three clear of Joe Ryan (20), while third prize went to Tom Fitzpatrick (23) with twenty five stableford points. Presentation will take place on this coming Thursday after the weekly competition.Men's seniors' golfAs notified the first leg of the annual match with Strandhill will take place in Mullingar on Tues 8th Sept. The tee has been reserved from 10.20 to 1300. Please book your names on the Time Sheet in twos. Our visitors from Strandhill will be paired with home players on the day. Looking forward to a large turnout. See notice board for details. On the following Tuesday our local season gets underway with competition and Seniors' captain's dinner, details of arrangements are also posted on relevant board.As we celebrate with the ladies branch who won the Midland District Challenge Cup on Sunday last (see below) we look forward to hopefully further celebrations this week as our mixed foursomes team contest the All-Ireland stages of the 3 sponsored event in Bandon Golf Club. Our opponents in the semi-final on Thursday are the Ulster Champions. The final is on this Friday.Mullingar Ladies rise to the ChallengeOn a damp but warm day on Sunday last in Mountrath, Co. Laois, Mullingar finally put an end to an interminable famine by bringing home an I.L.G.U. pennant for singles matchplay competition. So often the bridesmaids with stories of what might have been, the Mullingar Ladies have waited patiently over the years for their day to come. At long last the day arrived and how sweet it was. The magnificent Challenge Cup team captained by Paula Dunne and managed by Mary Hamill stuck to its task and overcame the team from Gowran Park with relative ease in the end. Ease was not necessarily how individual players might have described their feat as emotions flooded over by the 15th green late in the afternoon. Rosemary Whelehan, Bernadette Solon, Alison O'Neill, Carmel Monaghan and Bernie Mulroy together with caddies and subs Hillary Skekleton and Anne McHugh made up the victorious side. With the regional title under their belts the team will now go forward to compete in the Western division of the All-Ireland Finals at the end of September.Weirs Open Two Person Team EventThere was a fantastic entry for the Open Two Person Team Event sponsored by Weirs Pharmacy on Monday last. A full timesheet for this popular format saw players travel from all corners of the country to test their skills on the Mullingar terrain. It seems that the visitors managed better than the locals with three of the top four places going their way.The winners were Ann O'Connor (13) and Kate O'Connor (17) from Stackstown Golf Club with a score of 47 points. Runners-up were the pairing of Helen O'Donoghue (10) and Michelle Keating (25) from Cahir Park. Their score of 46 points was just better than that of local pairing Joan Heery (25) and Bernie Mulroy (36) who had to settle for third. Gross went to Anita Carey (13) and Suzanne Canavan (4) from Portumna with a fine 34 points.JuniorsAs the juniors turn their attention back to all things educational they can review the summer with a great sense of achievement as many made excellent strides towards their goals. Fifteen junior girls have now got full handicaps and are eligible to compete in regular competition. Four of our juniors, Emma Woodhouse, Alison Maguire, Katie Kelly and Eileen Trapp have competed with distinction at regional I.L.G.U. girls events and have been a fantastic source of encouragement for the younger girls who are waiting in the wings. All credit to Miriam McManus, Bridie Morris, Brid Galligan, Fiona Burke and the junior committee for their commitment and effort.ResultsWeirs Open Two Person Team Event1st: Ann O'Connor (13) and Kate O'Connor (17) Stackstown Golf Club, 47 points2nd: Helen O'Donoghue (10) and Michelle Keating (25) Cahir Park, 46 pointsGross Anita Carey (13) and Suzanne Canavan (4) Portumna, 34 points3rd: Joan Heery (25) and Bernie Mulroy (36) Mullingar, 46 points