Dundalk Golf Club news
Golf news from DGC
Six birdies propelled Richard Newell to victory in the latest round of the Cathedral Financial Autumn Series. Playing off two, Newell shot 40pts to edge out Peter McGinnity (16) by one point at Dundalk Golf Club.
He went out in 19 points helped by three point birdies at the third and seventh and came home in 21pts after three-point birdies at the 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th. McGinnity also went out in 19pts thanks to three point pars at the second and fifth and a four point birdie at the ninth.
He picked up four three-pointers on the way home at the 10th, 13th, 17th and 18th but a blank at the index two par four 11th meant he came up one point short of matching Newell.
Shaun Callan (12), Gordon Corry (16) and Paul Durnin (29) took the divisional honours while Caolan Rafferty recorded the best gross with 38pts.
The McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford on 2nd October kicked off the new month and saw Brendan McElarney (33) beat Patrick Boland (32) on countback to take the overall prize.
After going out in 17pts McElarney shot 20pts down the back nine, picking up 10pts over the final four holes for a total of 37pts. Boland also had 37pts but lost on countback as his back nine total was 19pts and he also wasn’t helped by a blank on the par three fifth.
Boland had to settle for winning Division 3 while Liam cGailey (12) and Martin McDonnell (18) took Division 1 and 2 respectively. Joseph Laverty with 33pts had the best gross score.
The IJM Match Play Scratch Cup Finals were held over the weekend of 21st and 22nd September and were contested by the top four in each of the four IJM Golfer of the Year categories.
The Senior Cup was won by Conall Murdock who, after seeing off Ciaran Traynor in the semi-final, faced tough opposition in the final against Aidan Lawless who had won a tense battle with Paul Murphy which was only decided on the 18th.
In the final Conall continued his fine form over the weekend by winning the first hole and although Aidan fought hard to keep in touch Conall eventually won 3 and 2.
Billy Cairns won the Junior Cup after an exciting final against Brian Fennelly which he eventually won 2 and 1. Billy had beaten Eddie Rogers in the semi-final while Brian had seen off the challenge off Terry Conlon.
Having won the Gold Medal for the Club’s major matchplay competition Dennis Cunningham was favourite to take the Intermediate Cup but he had to fight all the way against Senan Duffy in the semi-final.
Duffy led for most of the match but Cunningham finally got the better of him on the 20th. In the other semi-final Ken Norton also had a tough battle against Sean Gallagher whom he eventually beat on the 19th.
In the final Dennis won the first hole and never lost the lead, eventually closing the match out on the 17th for a 3 and 1 win. Robert McCaughey won the Minor Cup but he too had to fight all the way in his semi-final against Paul Culligan with the match only being decided on the 19th.
That earned him a place in the final against Cian Corbett who had beaten two-time Golfer of the Year Brian Crombie in another close match. The final was close over the front nine but Robert pulled away after the turn and eventually won by 4 and 3.
Sunday, 29 September 2024 - Cathedral Financial Autumn Series Singles Stableford – Overall: Richard Newell (2) 40pts, Peter McGinnity (16) 39pts. Division 1: Shaun Callan (12) 37pts, Edward Rogers (4) 36pts. Division 2: Gordon Corry (16) 39pts, Tommy Renaghan (18) 38pts. Division 3: Paul Durnin (29) 39pts, Harry O'Hanrahan (30) 38pts. Gross Recognition: Caolan Rafferty 38pts
Wednesday, 2 October - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Brendan McElarney (33) 37pts/20. Division 1: Liam McGailey (12) 35pts. Division 2: Martin McDonnell (18) 35pts. Division 3: Patrick Boland (32) 37/19pts. Gross: Joseph Laverty 33pts.