Dundalk Golf Club and Mannan Castle Golf Club notes

DUNDALK GOLF CLUB

Brendan Keane and Andrew Shekleton shot the best scores in the Singles Stableford competition played at Dundalk Golf Club on the Saturday and Sunday of St Patrick’s weekend.

Playing in Division Two, both shot 43pts with Keane securing the top spot on countback by virtue of a better back nine score, which was greatly helped by a birdie on the 18th.

READ MORE: The Commentary Box: The Dundalk skipper shone like a beacon of light

Playing off 12, Keane went out in 20pts and came home in 23pts with a round that included four-point birdies at the eighth and 18th and a three-birdie at the 14th.

He also had three-point pars at the third, fourth, 10th and 12th and two-point pars at the fifth, 13th and 17th.

Shekleton, who played off 15, shot 23pts over the front nine and 20pts down the back nine and had cause to rue a blank on the par four seconds after a triple bogey seven.

He recovered well from that setback with four-point birdies at the fourth and fifth and a three-point birdie on the 13th.

He had seven pars, five of which were three-pointers, at the first, eighth, ninth, 10th, and 16th, while also notching two-point pars at the sixth and 14th.

Division Four was also decided on countback after Peter McCaughey (23) and Laurence Hanratty (27) tied on 42pts.

Hanratty’s 17pts down the back nine was no match for McCaughey’s blistering 24pts which was achieved over eight holes as he had a quadruple bogey eight on the last for a blank.

His back nine scores included five three-point pars as well as a four-point at the long par four 16th.

In Division One Kenneth Cairns (11) shot 42pts to edge out Dennis Cunningham (10) by two points while in Division Three veteran Brian Ward (21) shot 42pts to beat Alex Naylor (17) for first place in that category.

St Patrick’s Day saw the traditional presentation of shamrock to the Captains and Presidents by the Junior Girls Captain.

The day began with the Four Person Team competition, sponsored by Fairways Supervalu, which was decided by countback after the top two teams finished on 73pts.

The winning team of David Murden, Laurence O’Hanlon, Brian Crombie and Dessie Corbett shot 47pts down the back nine to pip the quartet of Ciaran McAteer, Ray Pepper, Alan Uzell and Colm Garvey by two points.

The afternoon saw a Mixed Scotch Foursomes competition, which was also sponsored by Fairways Supervalu, taking place with competitions on the Front and Back Nines.

The Front Nine was won by Finola Oakes and John Oakes (20) who shot a nett 26 to beat Sinead O’Callaghan and Fergus O’Callaghan (10) by three points.

Caroline Dunne and Kieran Dunne (10.5) won the Back Nine with a score of 28.5 which was three better than Margaret McCourt & Colm McCourt (18.75).

The Wednesday Open, sponsored by McKenna Man, has recommenced and the first winner of the season was Eugene Hanratty (27) with a score of 42pts.

Entries for this year's Gents Foursomes and Mixed Foursomes Match Play Competitions are now being taken.

To enter please write the names of the two players on an envelope, enclose the entry fee of €10 and post in the box provided in the bar. The closing date for entries is Monday, 21 April.

Saturday, 15 March and Sunday, 16 March – Singles Stableford – Division 1: Kenneth Cairns 9.7 / 12 (11) 42pts, Dennis Cunningham (10) 40pts. Division 2: Brendan Keane (12) 43/23pts, Andrew Shekleton (15) 43/20pts. Division 3: Brian Ward (21) 42pts, Alex Naylor (17) 41pts. Division 4: Peter McCaughey (23) 42/24, Laurence Hanratty (27) 42/17pts.

Monday, March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Four Person Team Competition sponsored by Fairways Supervalu - Winners: David Murden, Laurence O’Hanlon, Brian Crombie, Dessie Corbett 73/47pts. Runners Up: Ciaran McAteer, Ray Pepper, Alan Uzell, Colm Garvey 73/45pts.

Monday, March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Mixed Scotch Foursomes Competition sponsored by Fairways Supervalu – Front Nine: Finola Oakes and John Oakes (20) 26, Sinead O’Callaghan and Fergus O’Callaghan (10) 29. Back Nine: Caroline Dunne and Kieran Dunne (10.5) 28.5, Margaret McCourt and Colm McCourt (18.75) 31.25.

Wednesday, 19 March 2025 – Open Singles Stableford sponsored by McKenna Man – Overall: Eugene Hanratty (27) 42pts.

MANNAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Mannan Castle Men

With the Captain's Drive-in on last weekend, it was great to get back playing the 18 hole competitions even if it felt like mid winter.

It was a family affair on Monday, with Eddie Rouiller taking first place with a great score of 41pts. It’s brilliant to see Eddie back enjoying his golf and this would have been extra special beating his son to first place.

Second place went to John Rouiller on a score of 40pts. Knowing John, if there was anyone to lose out to it would be his father. Joe Liffey finished in third place on a score of 39pts.

Saturday/Sunday 15th/16 March 2025 - 1st - Eddie Roullier (PH.25) – 41pts; 2nd - John Roullier (PH.15) – 40pts; 3rd - Joe Liffey (PH.15) – 39pts.

Mannan Castle Senior Men

The weekly competition on Tuesday was held over 9 holes and there was once again a large field of enthusiastic senior golfers. The course was in great condition with the greens exceptional thanks to the hard work of the greenkeeping staff.

Scoring on the day was very good in cold and breezy weather. Some of the prize winners had to be decided on count back. The overall winner was Richard Eakin (PH13) with 22 points who edged out Terry Doherty (PH15) on countback.

Terry's visit to the water on the last hole proved costly. His consolation was victory in Category Three. Both players had three excellent pars on their cards.

Category One was won by Declan Govern (PH8) with 21 points. Declan had five pars on his card but a double bogey on hole 16 probably cost him overall victory.

Category Two saw Eddie Rouiller (PH12) follow up his Bank Holiday singles win with another win. He edged out Joe Mullen (PH11) on 21 points thanks in large part to a chip in birdie 2 on hole 17.

Tuesday 18th March 9 Hole Competition (9 hole handicaps) - Overall: Richard Eakin (13) 22pts c/b; Category 1: Declan Govern (8) 21pts; Category 2: Eddie Rouiller (12) 21pts c/b; Category 3: Terry Doherty (15) 22pts.

Mannan Castle Ladies

This week’s winning score was one most golfers would be happy to have on 18 holes. The last of the 13 Holes competitions for the season, was won by Angela McBride 34pts.

Angela played steady, bogey golf, scoring a whopping 25 points on the front nine. Great stuff Angela.

Most weeks 32 points would be a winning score over 13 holes, but Jo Morris's shot had to settle for second place. An impressive score carding five pars and a beautiful birdie on the 10th hole.

Imelda Hanratty won on the countback beating two other 29-point cards. Imelda had 12points on the last four holes to secure her place on the podium.

Week 7 -13 Hole Competition -19th March 2025 - 1st Angela McBride (33) 34pts; 2nd Jo Morris (19) 32pts; 3rd Imelda Hanratty (36) 29pts c/b.