Golf notes

DUNDALK GOLF CLUB

An evenly balanced round of solid consistent scoring saw Ben Walsh, playing off a 13 handicap, bring in the best overall score of 36 points in the weekend Singles Stableford Competition at Dundalk played over 14 holes with two holes on both nines not in play.

Ben built on an opening two points with a par four at the second hole for three points, added a brace of three pointers with back-to-back par fives at the sixth and seventh holes before birding the par three ninth hole for four points to finish his opening seven holes with 18 points.

He continued to score impressively on the closing seven holes, parring the par four 11^th and 18^th holes and par three 13^th and 17^th holes for three pointers and carded three two pointers on the other holes to come home with another 18 points.

With no overall prize, Ben claimed the honours as the winner of Division 3. His closest contender was Brian Crombie, playing off a 20 handicap, who scored 34 points and took the Division 4 winner’s prize.

He started with four three pointers in a row, dipped in the middle of his round but fought back to finish with a flourish, parring the par three 17^th hole for three points and the par four 18^th for four points.

There was a tight battle for the Division 1 honours. David Carroll, playing off a handicap of two, shot 31 points and his better closing seven holes just edged out Billy Cairns (4), who also finished on 31 points, but had to settle for the runners up slot.

Division 2 was equally competitive with John Laverty, playing off a 12 handicap, taking the honours with 32 points thanks to a better closing seven holes ahead of John McKeever (12) who also finished on 32 points.

Saturday, 23 November and Sunday, 24 November – 14 Hole Singles Stableford - Division 1: David Carroll (2) 31pts, Billy Cairns (4) 31pts. Division 2: John Laverty (12) 32pts, John McKeever (12) 32pts. Division 3: Ben Walsh (13) 36pts, Stephen Murphy (13) 31pts. Division 4: Brian Crombie (20) 34pts, Sean Ward (22) 33pts.

Dundalk Ladies

Winter League Week 4 - Saturday 16th & Tuesday 19th November 2024 - 14 Hole Competition: Division 1: Winner: Caroline Dunne 16.4/21 (16) 31 pts; Runner up: Deirdre Smith 0.5/2M(2) 30 pts; Third: Elizabeth McGuinness 16.4/21 (16) 30 pts.

Division 2: Winner: Maura Coyle 23.4/29 (22) 35 pts; Runner up: Briege Renaghan 22.8/29 (21) 31 pts; Third: Amanda Reenan 26.2/33 (24) 30 pts.

Division 3: Winner: Sylvia McKenna 29.9/37 (27) 34 pts; Runner up: Siobhan Kearney 32.4/40 (30) 32 pts; Third: Anne McEntegart 40.3/49 (37) 27 pts.

9 Hole Competition: Winner: Brenda Rogers 39.4/24 (23) 18 pts; Runner up: Joan Corrigan 37.0/23 (22) 17 pts.

Winter League Week 5 - Saturday 23rd & Tuesday 26th November 2024 - 14 Hole Competition: Division 1: Winner: Caroline Dunne 16.4/21 (16) 31 pts; Runner up: Una Kelly 19.1/24 (18) 31.

Division 2: Winner: Sinead O’Callaghan 25.7/32 (23) 33 pts; Runner up: Olive Jones 24.5/31 (23) 31 pts.

Division 3: Winner: Alison Quigley 30.7/38 (28) 32 pts; Runner up: Mary Thornton 37.8/46 (34) 31 pts.

9 Hole Competition: Winner: Ann O’Callaghan 41.0/25 (24) 25 pts; Runner up: Marie Griffin 36.4/23 (21) 25 pts.

MANNAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Mannan Castle Seniors

Mannan Castle Seniors made light of the frosty conditions and temporary greens to sign for some exceptional scores in the weekly competition.

Played over 12 holes Vincent Litchfield (20), Richard Eakin (25) and Kevin Gavigan (19) managed to post 31 points. However Kevin was subject to a two point deduction for winning the previous week.

This left Vincent and Richard to fight it out and Vincent prevailed on countback for the overall prize. It was so close that it took the final hole to separate them.

Richard had the consolation of winning Category 2 by a comfortable margin. Remarkably they both recorded birdie twos on hole 8.

Eamon Trainor (18) was the victor in Category 1 with 30 points and a two point margin over his nearest rivals. A run of 5 pars from holes 6 to 10 was the foundation of his score.

In Category 3 Donal McArdle (27) also had a score of 30 points thanks to very steady golf. Pars on his final two holes was the icing on the cake. 

Tuesday 26th November 12 Hole Competition - Overall: Vincent Litchfield (20) 31pts; Category 1: Eamon Trainor (18) 30pts; Category 2: Richard Eakin (25) 31pts; Category 3: Donal McArdle (27) 30pts.

Mannan Castle Ladies

It's two out of two for Maureen Crawley for the second week in a row, she's top of the class. Despite a deduction for that previous win, Maureen had room to spare over her nearest rival.

Five three pointers and one four pointer helped build this week's winning score. Five three pointers also featured in Margaret Bourke's round, enough to secure second spot on countback from one other player.

Women's Winter Weekly 13 Holes 27th November 2024 - 1st Maureen Crawley  (PH32)  31 pts (32 – 1); 2nd Margaret Bourke (PH26) 29 pts c/b

In the Winter League, things could not be more exciting going into the final week. Two teams are now neck and neck on the same points.

With both teams returning remarkable scoring week by week, it all comes down to this week's last dash to the finish line. With the prize within touching distance, surely everyone will be doing their utmost to help carry their team over the line.