Chasing another Munster crown

Clonmel Golf Club will host the Munster finals of the junior and senior cups and the Barton Shield on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14.
Woodstock will be in action in the junior cup. They play East Cork in the semi-final on Saturday morning at 9.15am, with the winners going through to play Tralee or Mitchelstown in the final.
In the junior cup, the semi-final pairings are Tramore v Limerick and Doneraile v Bandon while the senior cup semi-finals will see Clonmel play Ballybunion and Castletroy take on Muskerry.

Woodstock
In a team-of-three rumble at Woodstock on Saturday, the winners were Jimmy Kelly, Michael O’Brien and Liam McInerney with 95 points from Jim Carmody, Joe Guilfoyle and Tony Roche with 90 points. In third place with a similar score were Michael O’Connor, Michael Lynch and David Pilkington.
The winners of the ladies’ team award were Mary Sadlier, Yvonne Morrison and Ann O’Loughlin with 75 points while Mary Sadlier won the prize for nearest the pin.
In the ladies’ 18-hole Stableford competition last week, Joan Barrett  was the winner with 42 points from Fran Feighery on 34 points.
The winners of the open fourball were Áine Burke and Sheila O’Grady with 42 points from Marianne McGough and Kitty Quinn with 37 points.
In the modified fourball, Jarlath Fahy and Kieran Dromey were the winners with 52 points from Shane Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Whelan with 51 points. In third spot with 49 points were Aidan and Brian Mulcahy.
In the open singles on Sunday, Conor Brennan (6) won with 45 points from Alan Slaughter (Kilcock) (14) with 44 points and Derek Kelly (16, Charleville) with 42 points. Cathal O’Connor (2) won the gross with 68. Tom Hanrahan had a hole in one.
The captain’s (Eugene Quinn) prize will be played for this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and a timesheet is in operation.

Lahinch
The captain’s (Richard Pyne) prize will be played for at Lahinch this Friday and Saturday and a full timesheet for both days on the championship course is expected.
Last week’s ladies’ singles v par competition at Lahinch was won by Evelyn Lyons (23) with one down from Valerie Shannon (7) with three down and Mary O’Meara (12) with three down.
Saturday’s men’s singles Stableford competition on the Castle Course was won by Cathal Hegarty (12) with 44 points from Jimmy Doyle (15) with 43 points and Robert Browne (10) with 42 points. Juan Fitzgerald won the gross with 36.
Gráinne D’Alton (5) won the ladies’ singles competition on the same day with 40 points.
In Sunday’s men’s fourball Stableford  competition on the Castle Course, Don (17) and John Dillon (8) were the winners with 50 points from Robert Browne (10) and Shane Fenton (11) with 48 points. The ladies’ singles Stableford competition on Sunday was won by Catherine McKenna (19) with 37 points.

Dromoland
The president’s prize (Tom Delaney) was played for at Dromoland at the weekend when the winner was Niall Cannon from Richard Flynn with third spot filled by Mark Reynolds followed by Brian Shally, Joe Cronin, Damien Fahy and Brian McMahon.
Other prizewinners were best gross, Seamus McEnery; handicap 18 and over Barry Walshe; past president Brian Kelly; first nine Sean McMahon; second nine Mark Hogan; student Jason O’Leary; junior, 1st Gordon O’Neill, 2nd Cormac O’Neill, 3rd Danny Mungovan.
Entries for the Scotch Foursomes are now being taken in the Pro Shop. The Dromoland Claret Jug competition is progressing and participants are encouraged to play within the time frame. Over the August Bank Holiday the competition is an 18-hole singles Stableford.
Meanwhile, the ladies’ minor and challenge teams have qualified for the ILGU Inter Club League finals in Clonmel in August.
This Saturday, there will be a bumper medal stroke competition at 8.30am.
The men’s captain’s (Willie Fitzgerald) prize to the ladies will take place on Saturday, August 6.

Shannon
Daniel Brennan finished as runner-up in the recent Munster Boys Championship in Monkstown. Commencing with a four under par 66, Daniel was never out of the first two places.
The ladies’ intermediate team have qualified for the Munster final having defeated Killarney 3-0 with two matches called in. The match was played in Douglas last Saturday. They will now play Thurles in Clonmel on Saturday, August 27 at 10.50am.  The team manager is Anna Ringrose.
The ladies’ July medal saw Michelle Pyke victorious with 71 nett. Michelle had one shot to spare from the consistent and in-form Hilary Clein on 72. The back nine was required to separate Eileen Carey and Jean Wason, both returning 73 nett. Fifth spot was filled by Niamh O’Callaghan with 74 nett while Naoimh McMahon captured the gross with 83 gross.
In the men’s Wednesday open singles, the back nine was required to separate Gerry Dunne from visitor Arthur Ellis from East Clare, both returning 44 points. Highlight of Gerry’s opening nine, for which he returned 23 points, were birdies at the second and eighth holes. Highlight of his back nine of 21 points was a further birdie at the 13th.  Arthur covered his opening nine in two over, the highlight being a birdie at the eighth for 25 points. While not matching his heroics on the back nine as outlined, in racing terms he was beaten by a nose and a double bogey on 18 was to prove costly. In third place with 41 points was Joe Findlay. The gross was captured by Daniel Brennan, who was around in two under par, highlighted by a back nine of two under, recording birdies at 14 and 18.
The men’s competition at the weekend was the Jim O’Donnell Memorial, which saw Jim Fitzgerald victorious with 65 nett. Jim covered the opening nine in one over, highlighted by birdies at the first and second. While Jim was two over for his back nine, he will not forget his last three holes for some time. Having taken a triple bogey seven at the 16th, he then birdied the 17th and, to crown a great day, eagled the 18th. Jim had one shot to spare from Darren Keane, who was around in level par for a nett 66. Darren was out in one under, recording eight pars and a solitary birdie at the second. Highlight of his back nine of one over were birdies at the 15th and 18th. Next came a quartet on 67 nett, namely Bryan Power, Rupert Bagnall, John McCormack and Jason O’Donnell. Des Elliott was seventh with 68 nett. Best gross was won by Ed Hickey with 69 while second in this category was Jamie O’Shea with 71.
There will be an open team-of-four competition this weekend while the open singles will continue on Monday with the August open team-of-four on Tuesday.

Kilrush
Last weekend, Pat Shannon hosted his captain’s prize at Kilrush. The qualifying round was played on Saturday in beautiful conditions and more than 150 played, with scoring very good.
Sunday hosted the play-off, where Doonbeg native Packie O’Dea (15) was victorious on 102 from Darragh O’Flaherty (12) on 107 and Paul Mannion (15), who also returned 107. Tom Prendeville (16) was next with 107.33. The leading qualifier was Michael Studdert (20) with 63 while the gross was won by Jim Young Junior (5) with 116. Other prizewinners were Cat 1, Gearóid Kelly (7) 115.33; Cat 2, Tomás Prendeville (13) 107.67; Cat 3, Paddy O’Shea (22) 115.33; committee, Denis Nolan (8) 115.67; past captain, Jim McSwiggan (13) 115.33; first nine, Padraic Cotter (18) 30; second nine, John Normoyle (12) 32; distance members, 1 Shane MGibney (22) 110.33; 2 John Donnelly (16) 111.33; 3 PJ Hehir (19) 112.33; longest drive, Neil Browne; nearest the pin, Pat Brennan;  captain’s plate, 1 Jim Young (6) 41 points; 2 Kieran Lillis (16) 38 points; 3 Diarmuid Murphy (6) 37 points; captain’s prize to the ladies, 1 Margaret Griffin (26) 30 points; 2 Geraldine Burke (29) 29 points; 3 Marion Brennan (19) 28 points.
The ladies’ open day last Thursday was won by Deborah Glynn (29) with 41 points from Elaine Hickey (10) Lahinch with 38 points, Mary Keating (35) 38 points, Helen Williams (36) Doonbeg Links with 37 points and Mary Sadlier (12) Lahinch with 37 points, The gross was won by Anne Brennan (10) with 25 points while the category winners were Cat 1, Mary Nolan (17) 37 points; Cat 2, Mary O’Brien (20) Lahinch 36 points; Cat 3, Ursula Lineen (31) 36 points.
In the men’s seniors outing last Wednesday, the winners were Tom Coffey, Noel Cooney and Bill Murphy with 70 points from PJ Maher, Tom Prendeville and Murt Collins with 66 points with third spot filled by Michael Lillis, PW Glynn and John Robinson with 66 points.
The draw has been made for the members cups, men’s matchplay, with the preliminary round to be played on or before August 9.
The second of the club’s open weeks commences this Friday with an 18-hole mixed.

Ennis
Liam Glenny won the Duggan Cup at Ennis with a score of seven up from David Rushe, who had a similar score. Richard Herbert was third with six up followed by Tony Maher on four up. Brian Gilligan won the gross with two down.
In the Friday open singles, PB Barry (Woodstock) was the winner with 44 points from Conor Flaherty, who had a similar score. Mike Lyons was third with 43 points followed by Richard Keane with 41 points.
In the July monthly medal, Matthew McDonagh was the winner with 66 nett.
In the Eileen Murphy Memorial Scotch Foursomes, Rita O’Brien and Deirdre Molyneaux were the winners with 39 points, followed by Nancy Burke and Derry Nalty with 38 points.
Ennis Seniors Group held their annual Cider Day last week in which 97 played. It was a team of four, with two to count at each hole. The winners with 77 points were Johnny Cullinan, Colm McNevin, Joe Carmody and Michael Torpey from John Guilfoyle, Sean Fitzpatrick, Willie Maloney and Dickie Pyne with 73. In third spot with 73 were Dick Herbert, Larry Brigs, John Guinan and Aidan Lynch followed by Sean O’Gorman, Michael Cummins, Michael Torpey and Colm McNevin with 73, Tom Purcell, Terry Hughes, Peter Farrelly and Jimmy Kerins with 70, Pat O’Reilly, Michael Carmody, Joe O’Brien and Joe Dilleen with 70 and John Keane, Michael Kenny, Tom Fox and Don Ryan with 70.

Kilkee
In the Lily Moore Trophy, a ladies’ singles competition at Kilkee, the winner was 
Margaret Collins Smyth (26) with 40 points from Elizabeth Liddy (18) with 39 points and Angela O Connell (17) with 37 points.
The lady vice-captain’s (Irene Neylon) prize was played for last week and the winner was Marie McGuire (22) with 70 nett from Bessie Lawlor (26) with a similar score. Mary O’Mahony (17) was third, also with 70 nett followed by Mary McGivern (17) with 71 nett. The gross was won by Angela O’Connell (17) with 87.
The nines were won by Áine Lenihan (33) with 32 and Phil O’Brien (22) with 29.  The winner of the visitors’ prize was Gwynne Walsh (20) with 70 nett.
The most prestigious single matchplay competition in Kilkee Golf Club was run off this year during the third week of July. The Kilkee Cup is an open competition and has been in existence for over 100 years. Due to the large entry, the competition consists of matches on consecutive days. The field was reduced over the week until Friday last when only four players remained. The first semi-final saw local favourite, Barry Harte (12) up against the surprise of the competition, Ciaran Woods (17). On the day, Barry’s experience was no match for the 18-year-old Castletroy College student, who played superb golf in his first Kilkee Cup competition.
The other semi-final again saw local, Graham Reidy (18) up against this year’s club captain, Pat Cronin (14). This was a close-run affair, with Cronin winning at the first extra hole.
The final saw excellent golf from both Pat and Ciaran. Captain Pat went one up early on but Ciaran won holes 8, 9 and 10 to go two up. Pat fought back to reduce the deficit to one hole with a great birdie on 14. However, Ciaran again turned on the style to win 15 and 16 to close out the match.

East Clare
The lady captain’s (Siobhán Shanahan) prize was played for at East Clare at the weekend and the winner was Brid Hayes (17) with 102. 5. She won from Breda O’Loughlin (26) 104 nett, Noreen Skehan (27) 105.5, Kathleen O’Brien (19) 106.5, Pauline Nugent (30) 107, Sheenagh Sullivan (22) 107 and Ciara Magill (9) 107.5. The gross was won by Tara Whelan 76 while other prizewinners were past captain, (Margaret MacNamara) 109.5; front nine, (Deirdre Cooney); back nine, (Ann McInerney); nearest the pin, (Ciara Magill); longest drive (Tara Whelan).
In the 10-hole singles, Ann Harte won from Sylvia Clancy. The best 36 handicap score came from Patricia Williams while the junior’s prize was won by Rachel Minogue.
In the men’s singles, Caimin Condren (4) won with 40 points from Alan Morgan (19) with a similar score. Bill Cullen (12) was third with 39 points.
Tara Whelan and Ciara Magill have been selected to represent Munster in the inter-provincial girls’ championships to be played in Cahir Park in August. This is Tara’s second time to represent Munster and Ciara’s first.
This weekend there is a men’s open singles on from Friday to Monday.

Portumna
In the 18-hole singles at Portumna, the winner was Ger Madden (9) with  40 points from Joe Austin (13) with 39 points and John O’Brien (8) with 38 points. Shane McHugo (5) won the gross with 33 points while the senior’s prize was won by T J O’Callaghan (28) with 36 points.  Joe Austin scored a hole-in-one on the second.
In the ladies’ 18-hole stroke, Inesa O’Gallagher was the winner with 74 from Catherine Dunne on 75 and Geraldine Feeney with 75.
Last Monday’s open singles was won by Raymond Dervan (12) from Curra West with 41 points from Cathal O’Byrne (6) from the same club, who had 39 points. David Sloan (17) was third with 38 points while Michael Cleary (3) from Nenagh won the gross with 33 points.
In the weekly nine-hole competition, Stephen Madden (23) was the winner with 27 points from John Cleary (5) with 21 points. Stuart Angus (6) won the gross with 21 points.
In the weekly seniors outing, Gerry Cavanagh (19) was the winner with 31 points from Willie Carty (8) on 30 points and Frank Canning (16) with 20 points.
Christy O’Rourke’s captain’s prize will be played for this weekend at Portumna.
The presentation of prizes will take place on Sunday evening and will be followed by a social event in the clubhouse.
The Portumna Cecil Ewing team had a great win against Ballyhaunis on Saturday and are in the Connacht quarter-finals against Athlone next week.
There will be a junior open at Portumna on Thursday, August 4.

Spanish Point
Tanya Carroll (18) won the lady captain’s (Breda Murphy) prize on Saturday with a score of 36 points followed by Sinead Sexton (3) with 41 points.
As Sinead, a member of the Irish girls’ team, is a junior member, she is not eligible to win first prize. Her score, which is two under gross, is a course record for the current layout. The par is 68 and Sinéad’s round included eagles on both 16 and 18, both par fives.
Áine Hanley on 38 points was third and wasn’t eligible for the main prize as she didn’t have the required number of qualifying competitions played. In fourth spot was Aileen Kyne (18) on 36 points. Aoife O’Malley (12) won the gross on a score of 32 points. The nines were won by Clare McNamara and Ann White. Other prizewinners included Gráinne Hennessy (past captain), Nuala Kilroy (committee prize) and nearest the pin, Mary Kenny.
The lady captain’s charity competition takes place next weekend.
Last week’s men’s senior outing was won by Gerry Meade (16) with 35 points. The winner of the Thursday open was Joseph O’Rourke (19) with 41 points from Stephen Cunningham (19) with 39 points and Cathal Whelan (6) with 37 points. In Friday’s nine-hole team scramble the winners were Eoghan O’Loughlin (4), Eoin Sheehy (20), Helen McGrath (23) and Denis Sullivan (22) with three-under gross. Sunday’s men’s fourball was won by Eamonn McMahon (19) and Cathal Whelan (6) with 46 points from Páidi McGough (13) and Michael Hennessy (7) with 45 points.
There will be a golfer of the year singles Stableford competition this Saturday and Sunday, with an open singles on Bank holiday Monday and timesheets are available in the clubhouse for all events.

Gort
Mike Moroney and Eamon Morrissey were the winners of the fourball Stableford competition at  Gort at the weekend with 46 points. In second place were John Whelan and Vincent Egan with 45 points.
The winner of the open singles last week was Eamonn Grimes with 40 points from Tony Curran on 39, Tom Lane on 39 and Mark Deegan on 37 while Padraic Lyons won the gross with 30 points.
There will be an 18-hole singles Stableford this weekend.
Last week’s ladies’ competition was a singles Stableford event, which was won by Ruth Naughton with 35 points from Gabrielle Warnock on 33 and Maura Hanrahan on 33.
In the weekly open singles Kathleen Reeves was the winner with 40 points from Maura Seymour on 36 and Gabrielle Warnock on 34. On Bank Holiday Monday there will be an open singles while the weekly competition will be an 18-hole stroke event. The nine-hole mixed will  continue on Friday evening.

Clarecastle
Single handicapper Len Shanahan was the winner of the recent Clarecastle Society outing to Dromoland. Frank Neylon was second, with the ever-improving Colin Higgins coming third. Paschal Russell and Liam Barry were the respective nines winners, with Paul Gorman from Boston winning the international guests’ section. Patrick Kelly won the guests’ section with Niall Dunne second. The next outing will be to Shannon on Thursday, August 18.

Pitch and putt
The winners of the two-ball scramble at the Clare Road venue last Sunday were Ger Hanrahan and Gabriel Kerin from PJ Considine and Declan Sheedy.

Course development classic at Shannon

Shannon Golf Club will host a two-day fundraising festival of golf on Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13. The aim of this event is to support the ongoing course development at the club.
“The development fund was set up eight years ago to help fund improvements on the course. Through these fundraising events we have been able to purchase equipment and carry out tangible improvements on the course” said Walter Walsh, chairman of the board of management.
The main sponsor, for their fourth year, is John Culleton of Ennis Road Motors/Opel, Limerick. Mr Culleton said, “Shannon is a fantastic championship golf course and improving every year.” 
As a testament to the quality of the course and the high esteem in which it is held in golfing circles, Shannon Golf Club was host venue for the Amateur Irish Close Championship in 2011.
A fun sideshow is also being run in conjunction with the Development Classic, with all proceeds going to Irish Cancer Society.  This will consist of chipping and target practise competitions.
To date, 60 teams have booked their slot for the ‘festival of golf’.  Players will participate on both Friday and Saturday for prizes to the value of €3,000.  All participants will enjoy a barbecue on Friday with a meal after the round on Saturday.  The event also includes a longest drive and nearest-the-pin competition.  “The programme of events, together with a championship test, will provide an enjoyable, challenging and entertaining two days for all taking part,” said Paschal Regan, captain of Shannon Golf Club.
The weekend will culminate in the presentation of prizes on Saturday at 10pm. 
Further information can be had from the office in Shannon Golf Club at 061 717210.