Mick Duffy wins Captain’s Prize to the Men

Mullingar Golf Club notes

Saturday saw the final of Captain Steven O’Hara’s prize to the men. In total, 52 qualifiers started their round, all with a great chance to capture this most sought after major competition prize.

However, as we all know too often most things do not go according to script. Having shot a good score of 72 last week Mick Duffy shot a great round of 67 for a total of 139 and take the position of early leader in the club house. This no doubt was an anxious wait for Mick as the early leaders from the last week had yet to complete their rounds. In the end 139 was enough for Mick Duffy to be declared winner and what a great winner he was.

The full results are as follows: winner Mick Duffy (17) 139, Gross Winner Adam Smith (+3) 144, Runner up, Gerry Mulligan (10) 141. In third place was Gerry Purcell (6) 143 and in fourth place was Willie Geraghty (24) also on 143. Fifth place was Niall O’Dowd (14) 144 and in sixth place was Richard Cavanagh (15) 144. The senior winner was Oliver Murtagh (16) with 147. Past captain winner was Michael Donnellan (16) also on 147. Past Captain’s Prize winner was Michael McCarthy (15) also on 147.

The winner of the first 18 was Leonard Hickey (28) with 67 nett, while the winner of the second 18 was Ross McKinley (5) with 71 nett. The winner of the ladies 9 hole competition was lady Captain Rosemary Whelehan with 24 points, while Antoinnette Daly was second with 20 points. Following the competition a presentation of prizes took place at the club house. Congratulations to captain Steven for a great day and to all the winners.

Solon wins first prize in 40th Bishop Smith's Prize

With a morning of gentle rainfall, the third Major day for the ladies got under way, with a full time sheet for the 40th annual Bishop Smith Prize to the ladies. A total of 19 prizes, carefully selected and beautifully displayed on Tuesday evening, provided sufficient stimulation to get all golfers keyed up and ready for this Major competition. The 18 hole attracted 107 competitors and the 9 hole had 18 entries.

Winner of first prize was a very much on form Bernadette Solon (35) with an amazing 45 pts. In 2nd place was Brege McCarrick (21) with a superb 39 pts. Gross prize winner was Fiona Burke (9) with 26 gr pts; 3rd prize was won by Betty Sleator (41) with an excellent 42 pts, and 4th prize went to Mary Geary (39) with a fantastic 41pts.

Cat 1 Bernadette O’Carroll (15) with 39 pts. Cat 2 Ann-Marie Fagan (22) with 39 pts. Cat 3 was won by Jackie Mills (26) with 39 pts and Cat 4 was won by Margaret Eyres (35) with 38 pts. Congratulations to all our winners on exceptional golf and great results.

Back 9 was won by Maeve Donnelly (28) 22 pts Front 9 was won by Mary Stuart (20) with 23 pts . Nearest the Pin was won by Brid Galligan and Longest drive winner was Anna Jones. Well done girls on such great scores.

Senior winner was Helen Moorhead (20) with 34 pts and Super Senior was won by Kathleen McKeon (27) with 34 pts.

In the 9 hole competition our winner was Heidi Vambeck (20) with 21 pts, 2nd Liz Quinlan (20) with 21 pts, Senior Anne Cleary (23) with 18pts and Super Senior Mary McCoy (23) with 14 pts. Congratulations on such excellent golf by everyone. Thanks again to Bishop Michael for his generous sponsorship and support of the Ladies.

Men’s 9 hole Winner Gerry Mulligan (5) with 22 pts and second prize went to Patsy Fagan (12) with 20 pts.

Last Wednesday night was a very glamorous evening in the club house for the presentation of Bishop Michael Smith’s prizes to the ladies. As a token of our gratitude for his 40 years of sponsorship, Bishop Michael was presented with a specially commissioned painting, by Lucy Tormey, depicting a canine friend, the canal walk and the golf club fairway. Thank you Bishop Smith from all of us in the Ladies Branch. A long serving member Kathleen McKeon was also the recipient of a citation from Golf Ireland and a bouquet of summer flowers, in appreciation of her long standing volunteering with the Junior programme over the past 10 years and the Ladies Branch for a much longer time. Congrats Kathleen.

Club Classic

Mullingar Golf Club Annual Club Classic will take place on Sunday July 16. Once again it is kindly sponsored by O’Brien Motor Group. This promises to be a fantastic day for all. I can confirm there us abundance of prizes and they are superb, so head down and practice your putting! Timesheet open early for members on Thursday 6th July at 8am so set your reminders! €200 per team including a goodie bag, burger on the 9th and a 3-course meal at the finish.

Egan Order of Merit Summer Series/Friday Opens

Egan Order of Merit Summer Series Friday Opens will return Friday July 21 BRS Open. Member €7.50 golf only; member guest €40, including €15 meal voucher; visitor €45, including €15 meal voucher.

9 & Dine

9&Dine is proving to be a great success with a full timesheet for each event to date. Book your time early!

Fleadh Opens

For anyone needing a break from the hustle and bustle of the Fleadh we have a range of competitions to suit everyone that week: Thursday 10 August - Seniors Open Fourball;

Friday 11 August – Family Fourball; Friday Evening 11 August - 9 & dine.

Friday Open Results

The 7th Open Friday as part of the Egan’s Auctioneers Order of Merit Summer Series was played in damp and dreary conditions on Friday but the weather didn’t deter a number of seasoned golfers. The winning lady on the day was Elizabeth Mahon, who was making her first appearance on the Friday podium this year. Elizabeth managed a level 2s score of 36 points to win on countback from Bridie Shaw who was pipped on the last 3 holes. Congratulations to both ladies on excellent scores on the day.

The men’s section was won by the ever popular Deise man Tom Hunt, who certainly had all the answers around the greens to take the title from Alan Mills by the minimum. Tom settled for 42 points on the day to win by 1 from Alan. In all 18 visiting players enjoyed the course despite the weather and certainly made use of their meal voucher after golf.

Keenan Bauer Motors sponsored 9 & Dine Event

The second installment of the Keenan Bauer 9 & Dine was a champagne scramble. A new format to this event and it certainly proved very popular. Once handicaps were sorted and cards written up, it was down to the nitty gritty and it took several countbacks to determine the winners. It was the ladies branch to the fore with Jackie Mills, Patricia Smyth, Agnes Weafer and Mary Gillen, no strangers to team events, who won with a fine 50 points over the front 9.

The only gentleman to make an appearance at the presentation of prizes was past president Dr Eugene Hill who led home the trio of Helen Hill, Bernie Mulroy and Josephine Purcell. The prizes were presented by Lady Captain Rosemary, who was celebrating her birthday by making an appearance in both competitions and managing a number of birdies in the scramble to make it a memorable day for her. Our appreciation goes to all the participants of the 9 & Dine who all waited for the presentation after last cards. The next 9 & Dine will be held on July 21 and is a team event with 2 scores to count. We look forward to seeing you all again then.

Thanks to Darian in the pro shop who was super-efficient all day, the greens and course staff for the preparation of the course and finally to all the bar and catering staff who had a long day but kept us all fed and watered with a pleasant smile.

Junior Golf

There are big numbers and a very busy programme for this season expertly managed by Aideen Kellaghan, Eleanor McArdle, Pat Reynolds and a support network of trained volunteers. Remember to keep practising, already there are some promising golfers in the making!

Congratulations

To our young members Megan Charles, Emily McSherry, Evie Kilmurray and Lanah McDermott who with St Lomans GAA won the Division 2 All Ireland Feile Cup. After a challenging day of knock out matches they defeated Kilkenny City. Well done girls.

Hole in One alert!

Congratulations Patrick Curran on his hole in one on the second earlier this week during a club match! He certainly took the pressure off his playing partner to win the hole.

Mullingar Golf Club Men’s Branch Notes

The number of participants in the Senior Summer 9 Hole Competition continues to grow with 39 members taking part last week. This week we have three new winners as follows; First Joseph Martin with 21 points, Second Paul McGrath also with 21 points, and in third place (on count back) was Gerry Raleigh with 20 points. Congratulations to all the winners.

Long handicap Competition

A total of 74 members took part in last week’s long handicap competition which was sponsored by Chris Garry. A special thank you to Chris and Claire for their sponsorship at this time. The weather conditions were kind and the course was once again in great shape. Category 1 was won by John Regan (19) with 32 points for 15 holes. Category 2 winner was Mark Brennan (26) with 37 points while Category 3 winner was John Traynor (27) with 36 points. The sponsors of this week’s competition is DJM Accountants and on 13 July we have a Senior Open 18 hole Stableford competition sponsored by North Midlands Credit Union.

The draw for the Long Handicap matchplay competition sponsored by Buckleys SuperValu is up on the notice board in the locker room. Preliminary round matches have to be completed by July 5 with the next round being completed by 30 July.

Sunday Competition

A men’s branch sweepstake took place in advance of Bracken's Bar Family Open Fourball. 83 members played in the sweepstake and the following are the winners; Category 1 David Sean Keenaghan (+1) with 37 points, Category 2 winner was Killian Doyle (17) with 38 points, and Category 3 winner was Noel Murphy (25) with 36 points. The Gross winner was Simon Carr (2) with 34 points.

Brackens Family Fourball

On a blustery Sunday 30 pairings participated in the Bracken's Family Fourball which is wonderful event. The results of Bracken's Bar Family Open Fourball are: winners Heffernan and Heffernan with 44 points, second were E Mahon and G Cleary also on 44 points, Elizabeth is on fire this weekend. In third place were L Hickey and E Hickey with 42 points and in fourth place were C Elliffe and C Elliffe from New Forest also on 42 points.

Next week’s competitions

Next Sunday 09 July we have Lady Captain Rosemary Whelehan’s prize to the ladies with a men’s 9 hole competition scheduled for 1650hrs until 1750hrs. On 16 July we have our Annual Club Classic sponsored by O’Brien’s Renault. Full details can be viewed on the BRS.

Interclub matches

On Sunday our Barton Shield team, Captained by Bernard McDonnell were in action against New Forest GC. The team comprising Gareth Carr, Paddy Davitt, Adam Smith and Mikey Mina Ronane after a tough battle emerged victorious, well done to all involved.

Mullingar Golf Club Ladies Branch Notes

Wednesday July 5 competition is our Play in Pink, in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and is an 18 hole Open Fourball plus an Open 9 hole Stb.

Playing handicap limits of 36 for prize purposes and a men’s 9 hole Stb. Sunday July 9 is our 4th Major Day for the ladies branch ,our Lady Captain’s prize to ladies, 18 hole Stroke competition. Booking on brs opened on Saturday July 1, so get in early before timesheet is full.

Inter Club fixtures

Our Intermediate Cup team take on Abbeyleix, on Thursday July 6 at 2.30pm , with 3 at home and 2 away matches. Best wishes to captains Miriam MacManus and Liz Armstrong and the team for this second round competition. Our Headford Mixed Trophy team takes on South Meath on Monday July 3 in the second round of matches at 5.30pm, with 3 at home and 2 away matches All support welcomed.

Presentation Night

Our next presentation night will be on Wednesday July 5 at 9pm, where prizes for Mr Captain Steven O’Hara, Buckley’s SuperValu, and Play in Pink will be presented. All are welcome to attend.