Clare ladies in Irish title challenge

Two Clare ladies will compete in the Irish senior women’s open strokeplay championship at Greenore this week.
There will be 29 overseas players in the field of 76. Two 18-hole strokeplay rounds will see the field cut to 40 for the final round on Friday. Following the championship, the Irish Team for the Seniors Home International matches at Tramore will be announced, with selection determined by Order of Merit ranking and English’s wildcard picks. Valerie Shannon (Lahinch) and Valerie Hassett (Ennis) will be amongst those chasing the title while Portumna’s Suzanne Corcoran will also compete for the title.

Lahinch
Last week’s ladies singles stroke competition was won by Chloe Ryan (1) with 68 nett from Anna Glynn (16) with 76 and Cora De Freitas (21) with a similar score.
The winner of Thursday’s open singles was Darragh MacDermott (11) with 40 points from Cathal Keogh (16) with 38 points and Noel Lordan (20) with 38 points. Frances Hough (23) won the ladies’ competition with 35 points.
Saturday’s men’s singles Stableford competition was won by Greg Young (5) with 40 points from John Dillon (2) on 39 points and Walter O’Brien (13) on 36 points. Jim Young won the gross with 31 points.
Siobhán Conway (12) won the ladies’ singles Stableford competition on the championship course on Saturday with 36 points from Frances Hough (24), who also scored 36 points.

Woodstock
The winner of the Wednesday open singles at Woodstock was Colm Heaslip (13) with 41 points from Chris Power (12) with 40 points and Jason Considine (11) with 40 points.
In the August medal, Niall Reynolds (12) was the winner with 67 from Ken Hogan (11) with 70 nett and Joe Davis (12) with 70 nett. Kieran Cunnane (scratch) won the gross with 75.
In the ladies’ August medal, Mary Sadlier won category A with 71 nett while Teresa Sherlock was the winner of category B with 82 nett.

Ennis
Ennis seniors held a three-ball modified scramble competition last week in which 81 played. The winners were Luke Coote, John O’Halloran and Frank Landy with 76 points from Sean O’Gorman, Michael Torpey and John Vaughan on 72. In third spot were Charlie McEnery, Colm McNevin and Peter Farrelly, also with 72, followed by Seamus Frehill, Joe O’Brien and Pat O’Reilly with 71. In fifth spot were Ferdie O’Donoghue, Jim Hennessy and Michael Nunan with 69 followed by Pearse Cahill, PJ Garry and Jim Felle with 69 and Jimmy McNamara, Jim Scully and Bill Lacey with 69.
Thursday, September 15 is captain Pat Maguire’s prize and a manual timesheet is in operation. The captain’s dinner will be held at 7pm.
In the ladies’ monthly medal, Pamela Murphy was the winner of the silver medal from Vera Madden while Elaine Whelan won the bronze medal from Jean Considine.
In the Friday open singles, Brendan O’Flanagan was the winner with 39 points from Pádraig Sutton, who had a similar score. Jason Woods was next, a point behind, followed by Liam Barry on 37 points. Eoin Glynn won the gross with 32 points.
In the Paschal O’Brien memorial, Sinéad Hegarty was the winner with 43 points from Kieran F Ryan on 42, Pat Coote on 40, Paul Coote on 39, Jason Woods on 39, Ronnie Guinnane on 38 and Michael Kenny on 38. In the Ennis members’ section, Enda Howard was the winner with 45 points from Ollie Kenneally on 43, Brendan Pyne on 40, Mark Geraghty on 38, Steve Burns on 38, Noel Whelan on 37 and Pat Rutherford on 37.
In the ladies’ section, Attracta Williams was the winner with 33 points from Della Burns on 32 and Beatrice Foley on 32.

Shannon
Scoring was exceptional in the ladies September medal at Shannon, which was the last qualifying score to count for entry into their end-of-season masters. The winner was Niamh O’Callaghan with a superb 66 nett. Niamh had two shots to spare from Sheila Treacy and Kathy Hurley, both returning 68 nett. Eileen Carey was fourth with 69 nett, a score that has propelled her to top of the golfer-of-the-year charts. Carmel Regan was fifth with 71 nett while Margaret Hope won the gross with 87.
The Wednesday open singles produced one of the rounds of the year when playing, virtually off the championship markers??????, Colm Hanley was around in three under gross 69 for 44 points. Colm covered the front nine in three under with no concession to par and recorded birdies at the second, eighth and ninth holes. A level par inward nine saw dropped shots at the 12th and 17th offset by birdies at the 13th and 15th. Colm had three shots to spare from Michael Kilmartin on 41 points while David Begley was third with 40 points. The gross was captured by Jason O’Donnell with 37 points.
The end-of-season finale, the men’s and ladies’ masters, took place at the weekend. The men’s masters went down to the wire, with Fintan Ward capturing the title by virtue of a better second round from Michael Moore, both returning 136 nett. In third place on 137 nett was Jim McNamara while fourth and fifth positions were occupied by Jim O’Grady and Aidan Moloney respectively, both returning 139 nett. The gross was captured by Ed Hickey with a two-round total of 145 gross. Best first-round score was won by Eoghan O’Dea with 66 nett while Derek Sweeney won best second-round score with 68 nett.
The golfer-of-the-year contest ended in a tie but was won by Jim McNamara on the basis of the best seventh card from Jim Fitzgerald, both having returned 412 nett from their best six cards.
The ladies’ masters saw Hilary Clein capture the title with 148 nett. Hilary had two shots to spare from Connie Corry on 150 nett. Next came a duo on 152 nett, Eileen Carey and Brid Walsh, who occupied second and fourth places respectively. The gross was won by Jean Murphy Wright on 170. Best first 18 was won by Colette Colleran with 75nett while best second 18 was won by Liz O’Sullivan with 75 nett. Golfer of the year was captured by Eileen Carey.
On Sunday, the open parent-and-child competition saw Kathy Hurley and Chris Willets lead the rest of the field a merry dance when they returned 47 points. They had three to spare from Noel and Martin Casey, John and Gearóid Kelly and Brendan and Shane Flynn, who all returned 44 points.
Michael McInerney has been nominated by incoming captain Aidan Mannix to be his vice-captain for 2012. Michael has held various positions on committees, represented the club on many occasions and managed many club teams.
On Friday and Saturday the club will extend a warm welcome to the captain and members of Pine Ridge Golf Club from Canada, with whom the club were twinned in 1996.
On Wednesday next, all roads lead to Ardee in Louth when the ladies’ intermediate team will compete for All-Ireland honours.

Dromoland
In the autumn major on Saturday last, Colette Colleran was the winner from Yvonne Shanahan, Mary O’Donnell and Majella Cotgrave. The gross was won by Suzanne McConway.
Next week’s competition for the ladies will be the bumper medal this Sunday.
The men’s monthly medal strokeplay competition at the weekend was won by Robert Deegan with 68 nett from Ian Mulready on 70 nett and Aidan O’Mahony on 72 nett. In the category for handicaps over 18, the winner was John O’Shaughnessy with 76 while the junior winner was Edmund Moriarty with 74 nett.
Next weekend’s competition is an 18-hole singles Stableford.

Kilrush
The winner of the men’s open singles for the Flynn Trophy was Noel McMahon (9) with 38 points from Gearóid Williams (13) with 37 points and Gabriel Looney (11) with 37 points.
This weekend’s competition will be an open singles.
In last week’s ladies’ singles competition for the ESB cups, Mary G Nolan (20), was the winner with 43 points from Petrina Keane (29) with 41 points, Ursula Lineen (31) with 40 points and Niamh Whelan (10) with 40 points.
The category winners were Anne Coen (18) with 40 points, Mary O’Sullivan (22) with 39 points and Majella Comerford (3) with 38 points.
The competition this Thursday will be the Beryl McNamara Memorial.
In the Friday evening mixed, the winners were PJ and John Hehir and Agnes Shannon from Pat Shannon, Finbarr McMahon, Pat Shannon (Cranny) and Mary O’Sullivan. In third place were Declan O’Donovan, Michael Hemmings, Michael Studdert and Kathleen O’Brien.
In the men’s seniors outing last week, the winners were Michael Lillis, Michael Leonard and Mick Hemmings from Matt Fitzpatrick, Michael Carigg, John Flanagan and Peter W Glynn. Third spot was filled by Jim McSwiggan, Noel Cooney and Maurice Roche.
This week’s competition for the seniors will be the John McNamara Memorial.

Spanish Point
Last weekend, the second-last golfer-of-the-year singles competition was held at Spanish Point and despite the dreadful weather, over 40 members took part. One of the club’s new members, Daniel Dillon, who joined earlier this year, produced his best score of the year and returned 47 points off 23 handicap to win his first singles competition in great style. In second place was PJ Killeen (17) with 36 points and he was followed in third place by Bernie O’Halloran (19) also on 36 points.
The Tuesday seniors open was won by Patrick O’Boyle (19) with 38 points while the Thursday open was won by P English (18) from Donabate Golf Club with 35 points.
This weekend the annual PJ Downes Memorial Intermediate Scratch Cup will be played for and the timesheet is available in the clubhouse while the final GOY singles competition will be played on the weekend of September 17/18 and is 18-hole stroke.
Lucia Cronin, Fiona O’Boyle and Geraldine Reddan were the winners of the ladies’ three-ball scramble at Spanish Point last weekend. The Masters final will take place this Sunday.

East Clare
East Clare travelled to Athlone last Thursday to contest the All-Ireland finals of the Irish mixed foursomes and their opponents in the semi-final were City of Derry Golf Club.
Mike Whelan and Margaret MacNamara were first into battle for East Clare and despite playing some great golf, lost their match 3 and 2. Next up were Barry Hurley and Brid Hayes and this match was level on the 18th tee when they were called in. Michael O’Hanlon and Leslie O’Flynn were out at number three for East Clare and they won their match 4 and 3. Enda Donnellan and Mary Mannion came up against a very strong pairing and had to concede their match after the 12th hole. In the last match, Steven Moloney and Heather Cullen also came up against a tough pairing and lost their match on the 15th hole. This gave an overall result of 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 in favour of City of Derry.
It was the first time the club had reached this stage in any competition. City of Derry went on to win the final on a scoreline of 3 and 2 against Curra West.
In the men’s fourball competition the winners were Fergus Cooney and Michael O’Halloran with 45 points from Pat McNamara and John Farrell with 44 points.
In the ladies’ golfer-of-the-year competition, Mary Beatty (24) was the winner with 66 nett from Patricia Browne (26) with 69 nett. The category winners were Bridie Hanrahan (16) 72 nett, Margaret MacNamara (21) with 72 nett and Mary Rogers (34) with 73 nett.
In the men’s seniors the winners were Pat McNamara, Steve Symes and Tim McGrath from Mike Gough, William McLysaght and Martin Kelly with third spot filled by Vinny Henchy, Noel Enright and Michael Quigney.
Friday’s scramble was won by Marie A Kelly, William O’Brien and Phil Burke from Joan Kinsella, Tim Walsh and Val Donnellan.
This weekend, the men’s and ladies’ clubs both have a singles competition.

Kilkee
Marian Kennedy (29) was the winner of the president’s (Jim Riordan) prize at Kilkee with 38 points from Angela O’Connell (17) with 37 points, Anne Cronin (21) with 35 points and Nuala Gaffney (24) with 35 points. Mary McGivern won the gross.
In the men’s section, the winning score was provided by Kevin O’Connor, who returned a superb 46 points. He won by one from Brendan Lynch, with John Keane in third spot with a similar total. Gerry O’Halloran was next with 42 points followed by Tom Carr. Noel Daly won the gross.

Gort
In the weekend’s men’s singles Stableford competition at Gort, Adrian Conway was the winner with 40 points from David Hennessy on 39 and Des Foley with 38. Enda Cradock won the gross with 36 points.
Last week’s open singles was won by William Green with 41 points from Niall Finnegan on 40 points and John Ryan with 40 points. Jason McLynn won the gross with 35 points. There will be a golfer-of-the-year competition for men this weekend.
Last week’s ladies’ competition was won by Brenda Morrissey with 67 from Margaret Kelleher with 73.
In the midweek open singles, Gabrielle Warnock was the winner with 45 points from Elaine Kelly on 39 and Margaret Kelleher on 37.
This week, the ladies will have an 18-hole stroke medal competition.

Portumna
The open three-ball competition winners at Portumna on Sunday were John O’Gorman, Des Clarke and Hugh Devery with 59 points from Enda Quigley, Stephen Madden and Philip Madden on 57 points. In third spot with 56 points were Tom Moloney, Vincent Treacy and Eddie Moloney.
The winner of the Monday open singles was Stephen Gamble (11) Galway Golf Club with 46 points from Niall Concannon (12) 42 points and Mickey Glynn (13) with 38 points. The gross was won by JP McLoughlin (2) with 36 points.
Next Tuesday will be the final open Tuesday for ladies.
In the seniors’ 14-hole competition, the winner was Pat Craughwell (18) from Noel Mulcahy (28) and Pat Cleary (19).
The winners of the rumble for the children’s hospital in Crumlin were Vincent Treacy (13), Tom Moloney (13) and Eddie Moloney (18) with 48 points.
Portumna man Sean Cleary is taking up a golf scholarship in the US, where he will receive the best coaching and preparation as he works towards his ultimate dream, turning professional. The 20-year-old two-handicapper, who is a native of Tipperary, has just moved over to Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he will study a business degree over four years as part of his scholarship.
The club will hold an open day on Saturday October 1 from 2pm to 6pm, when anyone considering joining will be welcome.

Clare Teachers
The Clare Teachers’ Society will hold the first outing of the new season to Woodstock this Saturday. This will be an 18-hole singles Stableford event and the tee will be available from 9.30am to 11am. A timesheet will operate and details are available from Joan at 086 3167365.

Smith O’Brien’s classic
Nenagh Golf Club was the venue for the Smith O’Brien’s GAA Club classic recently when the winners were Pat McCarthy, John Daly, Michael Ryan and Brendan McDonagh.
They won from Brendan Foley, Ian Mulready, John Daly and Patsy Kett. In third spot were Ger Teefy, Tony Scott, Jason Horan and Martin Tuohy followed by Pascal Russell, Bernard Hanrahan, Colin Higgins and Niall McMahon, with fifth spot filled by Liam Doyle, Frank O’Meara, Kevin O’Brien and Mike O’Halloran. The ladies’ prize was won by Nancy Starr, Bridget Minogue, Catherine Murphy and Mary Collins.

Liscannor Society
Liscannor Golf Society will hold an outing on Sunday to Dromoland when the tee will be available at 10.30am. Those wishing to play are asked to contact Patrick Blake at 086 1932837.

Pitch and Putt
At the Clare Road venue last Sunday, the three-ball scramble was won by Noel Cuddihy, Marty Fawl and Gareth Kerin. There will be a club competition this Sunday.