Golf notes

DUNDALK GOLF CLUB

An exceptional splurge of scoring over eight holes on the back nine that included two birdies and three pars saw Christopher McGeady (22) with 46 points emerge the winner of the weekend Singles Stableford competition.

After a solid outward nine of 20 points, boosted by pars for three pointers at the par three fifth and par four eighth and a par five at the seventh hole for four points, Christopher went on a scoring streak on the back nine.

As well as birdies for four points at the par four 14th and par three 17th holes, he tagged on three pointers with pars at the par four 15th and 18th holes and par three 13th to complete the back nine with 26 points.

His better back nine saw him squeeze ahead of Conor Oakes (17), who also had 46 points but had to settle for the runners-up prize. He set out in strident fashion parring the first hole for three points and went on to birdie the par four third and par five seventh holes for four pointers, as well as parring the par three fifth for another three points, to turn on 24 points.

He scored solidly on the back nine, birding the par five 10th for four points and the par three 13th and 17th holes for three pointers, to come home in 22 points. The divisional winners were Brian Gaughran (13) with 42 points, Jack McCaughey (13) on 41 points and Michael Begley (27) on 45 points.

An exciting back nine of four under par that included five birdies and three pars saw low handicapper Clem Walshe (5) with 42 points claim the top prize in the midweek Open Singles Stableford Competition sponsored by McKenna Man.

Clem finished his outward nine on 18 points before producing some scintillating play on the back nine, birding the par five 10th and 12th holes, the par four 14th and 18th holes and the par three 17th hole, all for three pointers, as well as adding a further three points with a par four at the 11th hole, to come home in 24 points.

His better back nine edged out Ross Kehoe (18) who also finished on 42 points but had 22 points on the back nine. His round included five three pointers in a row from the 10th to the 14th holes as well as back-to-back three pointers at the par four 16th and par three 17th holes.

Division 1 winner Shane Hession (3) also carded 42 points for a round that was highlighted by an eagle three at the par five 10th hole. The other divisional winners were Paul Mellon (22) and Conor Lynch (25) both with 41 points.

Caolan Rafferty was part of the Great Britain & Ireland team which lost 16-9 to Continent of Ireland in the St Andrews’s Trophy at Royal Portcawl in Wales last week.

Rafferty picked up one win from four outings as he partnered Dominic Clemons to a 5&4win over Lars Van der Lights and Jerry Ji in the Day 2 foursomes.

The pair lost their Day One foursomes by 3&2 to Tim Wiedemeyer and Richard Tedor. In the afternoon singles Rafferty lost 2&1 to Jerry Ji on Day One and 3&2 to Luis Masavue Roncal on Day Two.

Eoin Murphy was Dundalk’s only representative at the South of Ireland Championship in Lahinch where he shot rounds of 76 and 72 to qualify in 37th place for the matchplay phase. Unfortunately, he was beaten on the 19th in the first round by Jonathan Keane of Lahinch.

Saturday, 20 July and Sunday, 21 July - Singles Stableford – Overall: Christopher McGeady (22) 46pts, Conor Oakes (17) 46pts. Division 1: Brian Gaughran (13) 42pts, Rory Henry (8) 42pts. Division 2: Jack McCaughey (13) 41pts, Michael Coburn (140 40pts, Division 3: Michael Begley (20) 45pts, Patrick Wadding (27) 43pts. Gross Recognition: Robert White (1) 36pts.

 Wednesday, 24 July - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Clem Walshe (5) 42pts, Ross Kehoe (18) 42pts. Division 1: Shane Hession (3) 42pts. Division 2: Paul Mellon (22) 41pts. Division 3: Conor Lynch (25) 41pts. Gross Recognition: Ciaran Johnston (+2) 38pts.

Lady Captain’s Charity in aid of St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen

Saturday 20th and Tuesday August 8th 2024 - Lady Captain, Mags Charity Team Competition was played in sunny conditions on Saturday 20th July and Tuesday 23rd July.

The competition was very generously sponsored by The Unit Dundalk and was played in aid of the St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen. The Unit is a locally run company in Dundalk that specializes in building products for IGaming, Betting and sports industries.

The Soup Kitchen started in Dundalk over 20 years ago and is kept going by local volunteers in conjunction with the St. Patrick's parish. It’s a one hundred per cent nonprofit organisation with no backing from governments or outside organisations.

The Soup Kitchen operates in a facility to the left of the car park of St. Patrick's at Roden Place Dundalk from 7-8pm Monday – Saturday and from 5-6pm on Sundays. Food parcels are distributed on Fridays from 10am to 11.30am.

The Soup Kitchen is a registered charity and 100% of all money donated to them is used in the soup kitchen and for food parcels. The Soup Kitchen is dependent on the generosity of people for food and cash donations and is a very worthy charity.

Fr. Mark O’Hagan thanked the members of Dundalk Golf Club and the Sponsors, The Unit, for making the event such a success and no doubt the funds raised of approximately €8,500.00 on Lady Captains Charity Day will be put to good use.

Lady Captain Mags also thanked the ladies for their support by playing in the competition, supporting the raffle and donating so generously to this worthy cause.

The scoring was high, with ninety-five points winning overall first. Very well done to the winning team of Jacinta Foran 13.8, Bernie Prendergast 21.6, Bernie McCabe 15.3, and Judy McDonough 20.9.

They were five points ahead of the runners up Grainne Mullins 14.3 Catherine Duff 23.5, Ruth Connolly 20.5 and Joan McKenna 26.3 on a count back. In third place, with a score of 90 points also was Mary McDonnell 27.8, Maria Kerr 34.6, Mary Lou Grennan 18.9, and Ide McDermott 22.7.

Results – Winners: Jacinta Foran, Bernie Prendergast, Bernie McCabe and Judy McDonough with 95 points. Second: Grainne Mullins, Ruth Connolly, Joan McKenna and Catherine Duff with 90 points on the count back. Third: Mary McDonnell, Maria Kerr, May Lou Grennan and Ide McDermott with 90 points.

9 Hole Competition - Winners: Olive Lowth, Rose Curtis , Marie O’Connor and Geraldine Rogers with a score of 45 points. 47 Teams played. Visiting teams Edmonstown, Stackstown, Headfort, St. Annes, Clontarf,Ardee, and Rossmore.

MANNAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Summer Series Open

The scoring was pretty hot this week and no one better than Darren Dillon and his brilliant 44pts on Thursday. With 17pts on his final 5 holes, this was just enough to win by one shot.

In second place was Oran Martin with 43pts. The golf Oran has been playing this year, it was no surprise to see him shoot an incredible 5 under par on his front nine. Barry Kieran finished in third place with a score of 40pts.

Summer Series Open 18th/19th July: 1st - Darren Dillon (PH.24) – 44pts, 2nd - Oran Martin (PH.6) – 43pts, 3rd - Barry Kieran (PH.13) - 40pts

Mannan Castle Men

Taking home the July medal was David Carragher on a brilliant score of 64 nett. David produced a superb back nine, the highlight a birdie two on the 17th. Eoin Sherry finished in second place also on a brilliant score of 64 nett, unfortunately losing on the count back.

Third place went to Eoin Morrisey on a score of 66 nett. Alex Hanneffy won the gross prize on a score of 71. A very solid round from Alex, which included 13 pars and 2 birdies.

July Monthly Medal 20th & 21st July: 1st - David Carragher (PH.26) - 64 nett, 2nd - Eoin Sherry (PH.12) - 64 nett, 3rd - Eoin Morrisey (PH.17) - 66 nett, Gross - Alex Hanneffy (PH.1) – 71.

Graham Sweeney was the overall winner this weekend on a score of 41pts. It’s great to see Graham back on the course and enjoying his golf after a bad injury last year.

Division 1 was won by Ronan Finnegan on a score of 36pts. Patsy Hoey won Division 2 on a score of 39pts. A strong back nine of 22pts was enough to win by two shots.

Division 3 was won by Ken Murray on a score of 36pts. Dylan Reilly won Division 4 on a score of 39pts. With 12pts on his final 5 holes, this was enough to win by one shot.

Weekend Singles Stableford 20th & 21st July: Overall Winner - Graham Sweeney (PH.35) – 41pts, Division 1: 1st - Ronan Finnegan (PH.4) – 36pts, Division 2: 1st - Patsy Hoey (PH.12) – 39pts, Division 3: 1st - Ken Murray (PH.21) – 36pts, Division 4: 1st - Dylan Reilly (PH.24) – 39pts.

Mannan Castle Seniors

Summer made a brief appearance for Mannan Castle Seniors 13 hole competition on Tuesday. Conditions for golf were perfect and the course was immaculate.

Newcomer to the seniors Sean McGillick made a dream debut securing the Category 1 prize with a steady round of 25 points. The highlight of his round was an excellent birdie on the long par 5 sixth hole.

In Category 2 Arthur Mulholland maintained the good form he showed the previous week with a very good 29 points to win the category. Five pars in his final six holes sealed his victory.

Category 3 winner Ciaran Hand showed a welcome return to form posting an excellent 28 points for the win. Despite a no score on his final hole a 12 point haul on the previous 4 holes ensured he finished first.

Best score of the day was in Category 4 where Bernard Crawley was the clear victor. He had a steady round scoring on each hole. Three holes where he scored 4 points made up for a number of one pointers in a score of 33 points.

Senior Results Tuesday 23rd July 13 Hole Competition - Category 1: Sean McGillick (11) 25pts, Category 2: Arthur Mulholland (19) 29pts, Category 3: Ciaran Hand (23)  28pts, Category 4: Bernard Crawley (36)  33pts.

Mannan Castle Ladies

One of newest members Ciara McMahon wins this week’s stroke competition with a fantastic nett score of 60. Ciara has played in every competition since getting her handicap a few weeks ago. I get the feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of this young golfer. The highlight of her card was a lovely par on the 17th hole.

Most weeks Margaret Carroll’s 64 nett would win the stroke competition, Margaret is in top form at the moment pars and bogey golf on the front and an outstanding back nine six pars pretty much back-to-back.

The lowest handicapper Louise Hanratty impresses with a notable 72 gross, Louise was two over par for her round, twelve pars and two birdies. Louise had to settle for third place with her 67nett.

Women’s Weekly Stroke sponsored by Hands Footwear -24th July - 1st Ciara McMahon (53) 60 nett, 2nd Margaret Carroll (17) 64nett, 3rd Louise Hanratty (5) 67 nett.

Twenty-seven played on Monday in the nine hole competition and fair play to the girls who played in their first nine hole competition. Possibly the best turnout for the nine hole competition yet.

The winner Jo Morris didn’t have a great start to her round, but recovered nicely with a par on the third and the ninth. Cepta Maddick took second place, just beating Mary MacNamee on the back nine.

Monday 9 Hole Competition 23rd July 2024 - 1st Jo Morris (8) 18pts, 2nd Cepta Maddick (12) 17pts C/B, 3rd Mary MacNamee (9) 17pts.