AN unforgettable experience was how Micheál Talty described his involvement in this week’s JP McManus Pro-Am golf event at Adare.
Together with his cousin, Evan and Evan’s cousin and fellow Quilty man, Eric Murrihy, the team finished in second place having qualified for the event representing St Joseph’s Foundation from Charleville. The CEO of the foundation is Cork football manager, Conor Counihan.
The Quilty men won the qualifier in aid of the St Joseph’s Foundation at Charleville Golf Club that entitled them to play in the grand qualifier in Adare. Their success at that event last month secured their passage to the big show.
On Monday, they were drawn to play with Thomas Bjorn from Denmark while on Tuesday they played with American, Heath Slocum who is currently ranked 58th in the world.
“We were in fourth place after day one. On Tuesday there were three teams on the same score, -30, at the end of play but as we had the better score on the day, it moved us into second place overall,” team captain Micheál Talty explained.
“It was a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. The crowds were huge and st supportive, showing their appreciation whenever a good shot was played,” Micheál said on Wednesday.
“This was particularly true of the second day. We were only a few holes ahead of Tiger (Woods) and that meant there were particularly big crowds all the time,” he added.
Was it difficult for amateurs to play in the presence of such big crowds? “Not really. The crowds weren’t there to see us. They were there to see the pros. They didn’t expect much from the amateurs so it didn’t really matter when we hit a bad shot,” came the reply.
“Thomas Bjorn and his caddy were a huge help in Monday’s round. We really got on well together. He is a keen Liverpool fan,” explained Micheál.
“It was a similar case on Tuesday with Heath Slocum and his caddy who were very helpful throughout and particularly when it came to getting the lines for our putts,” Micheál added.
Having completed play on Tuesday, Micheál, Evan and Eric were guests at Tuesday night’s banquet at Adare Manor
“The whole thing was just wonderful. From when we arrived on Saturday, we were made feel welcome. Everybody was treated the same, whether it was the pros or the amateurs. It was superb and we won’t forget it,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the opportunity to tee it up with South African Ernie Els and American Fred Funk was what awaited Sixmilebridge duo Tim Crowe and Mikey Casey at the Pro-Am.
Completing the trio on the St Gabriel’s team was Kevin O’Hora and after the opening day’s play, they were lying in the top 10 on 12 under. However, their challenge petered out on Tuesday when mental and physical fatigue kicked in.
Tim, a member of Dromoland Golf and Country Club explained, “On Monday we were really geared up. You’re focussed for every shot, trying to hit the ball reasonably well. It was so unlike the weekly fourball when you’re not overly concerned how you perform and then you don’t have 3,000 people watching and commenting on every ball you hit.
“It was draining stuff. Unfortunately, we never got to the same level the second day. I suppose it’s like playing an All-Ireland final on a Sunday and going out a playing again the day after. You just never reach the same level. That’s what happened to us.
“I didn’t really appreciate how much pressure we really were under to perform until we had completed our second round and I decided to watch a few of the teams playing. It only hit home when I was outside the ropes looking in.”
Despite the end result, the whole experience created a lasting impression on Tim and his teammates.
“Ernie Els was a really nice guy. He wouldn’t be familiar with Irish society so I suppose he didn’t really know what to talk to us about. We had to initiate the conversation, talking about his career, the highlights and his move back to America and so forth. He was really down to earth, very friendly and chatty. Meeting him was definitely the highlight.
“Fred Funk was a character. He sang a song on the first tee-box while his caddy told a few jokes. It livened the whole thing up. It was different, very different to the first day,” he said.
What really surprised Tim was that despite the aura of the super star status that the world’s top golfers command they were all very forthcoming and friendly in the locker room.
“In the dressing room, every where you looked there was a famous world-ranked golfer standing in front of you. You dream of meeting them but to meet so many in a matter of minutes was overwhelming. You had to pinch yourself to make sure it was for real.
“What really impressed me was how relaxed they were. They chatted away and every one of them, to a man, was prepared to develop a conversation with you. I suppose it was our fleeting moment with stardom.
“If I never hit a golf ball again I have some fantastic and unforgettable memories from the whole event,” he concluded.

Hassett bows out in semi-final

Valerie Hassett, Ennis, played magnificent golf last week at the Irish Senior Close Championship in Tullamore. She beat the leading qualifier, Pat Doran from Donabate, on her way to the semi-final, having earlier knocked out Catherine Bird from Nenagh.
Eventually, Niamh Giblin put an end to Valerie’s excellent run in the semi-final on her way to a final date with Sheena McElroy (Grange).
This week, Valerie is in Spain as captain of the Irish women’s team, which is chasing success in the European Ladies’ Team Championships, which are taking place at La Manga.
The team includes Mary Dowling (New Ross); Danielle McVeigh (Royal County Down); Gillian O’Leary (Cork); Charlene Reidy (Royal Portrush); Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) and Sinéad O’Sullivan (Galway).
The Ennis woman will be hoping to guide the team to place higher than they did last year, when they finished 17th.

Lahinch

Liz O’Donnell was the winner of the 3T’s qualifier at Lahinch last week, with a score of 39 points.
Last Wednesday’s ladies’ open singles on the Castle Course was won by Chloe Duggan with 36 points. In a men’s singles competition on the Castle Course on the same day, John Dillon was the winner with 45 points.
In the weekly open singles on Thursday, Paul Coleman from East Cork was the winner with 40 points from Ronan Murphy on 38 and Michael O’Riordan on 35. Ronan Cooney won the gross with 30 points.
Sinéad Sexton won the ladies’ competition with 37 points.
John Organ won the singles stroke monthly medal competition on Saturday with 72 from Parry Mandal on 73 and Darragh McDermott on 74.
In the men’s fourball Stableford competition on Sunday, Sean Moloney and Donie O’Shea were the winners with 33 points from Pat Cronin and Colm Hayes on 28 points. In a ladies’ fourball Stableford competition on the Castle Course on Sunday, Mary Meaney and Mairéad Greene won with 32 points.

Spanish Point

The winners of the team scramble at Spanish Point on Friday evening were Rick Salzer (8), Mervin Hehir (14) and Mary Ryan (34) with a score of four under. In second place were Roger Emmett (14), Paidi McGough (11) and Pat Greene (12) with a similar score.
The annual club fundraising classic was held on Saturday and Sunday and it was well supported, with 40 teams taking part. Conditions were tough, with strong winds both days.
The winners were Aoife (14) and Pat O’Malley (18), David Egan (17) and Tom Wolfe (16) with 95 points from Eamonn McMahon (19), Shane Fitzgerald (14), Pat Greene (14) and Sean McMahon (10) with 94 points. In third spot were Len Wilson (15), Clare McNamara (34), Diarmuid Whelan (80) and Josephine Conway (28) with 89 points, followed by Gerry McMahon (18), Pádraig Cleary (20), Kieran Madigan (19) and Gerald O’Loughlin (18) with  88 points. Fifth spot was filled by Alan Carmody (16), Bernie O’Halloran (19), Pat Lorrigan (15) and Martin Casey (19) with 88 points. They were followed by Albert Carew (20), Mick O’Callaghan (15), Pádraig Carew (13) and Fachna O’Donovan (17) with 87 points;  Gráinne Hennessy (14), Jim Marrinan (17), Joseph O’Rourke (24) and Peter Hennessy (4) on 85 points; Robert Healy (16), Declan O’Connor (18), Joe Flynn (20) and Ray Ward (17) and Cathal Whelan (12), Brendan McCarthy (11), Dan Hillery (14) and Ann Hillery (29) with 85 points.
Nearest the pin prizes were won by Shane Fitzgerald at the sixth and Liam Ryan at the 13th while Pat Greene and Peter Hennessy won the long drive prizes at the ninth and 16th.

Dromoland

Dromoland advanced to the Munster semi-final in the mixed foursomes team event when they defeated Adare at Lahinch last week.
Lorcan Hassett with 41 points was the winner of the singles competition at Dromoland at the weekend from Declan O’Leary on 40 and Michael Casey on 39. Ronan Mullane won the junior category with 38 points.
The competition this week will be a three-ball scramble.

Woodstock

In the open singles at Woodstock last week, Jamie O’Shea was the winner with 38 points from John O’Connor with a similar score with Noel Lordan in third spot a point back.
Sunday’s singles winner was Declan Rigney with 43 points from Michael Hayes on 36 and Martin Nugent on 36.
The captain’s (John O’Connor) fourball will be the competition this weekend.

Kilrush

The men’s vice captain’s (Pat Shannon) prize was played for at Kilrush last week and the winner was Gerard Kelly with 45 points. He had four to spare from Christopher Brennan with third spot filled by Ger Ryan, who also had 41 points. Sean Neylon was in fourth spot while John Greer won the gross with 33 points.
The category winners were Denis Nolan with 39 points, Tom Cleary with 40 points and Sean Moran with 40 points while the nines were won by Tom Prendeville with 22 points and James Murtagh with 23 points.
Other prizewinners were Martin McGivern (nearest the pin), Gearóid Kelly (long drive) and Seanie Moloney (guests).
In a singles Stableford competition on Saturday, Denis Nolan was the winner with 45 points from John Normoyle on 43 and Damian Casey on 42. The category winners were Michael O’Reilly, Martin Morrissey, both with 41 points and Noel Kilkenny with 40 points.
In a seniors’ competition on Sunday, David Byrnes was the winner with 41 points from Barry Murphy on 41 and Senan Carigg on 40. Emmet Casey with 39, Noel Thornton with 38 and Peter W Glynn with 40 were the winners of the categories.
The lady vice-captain’s (Geraldine Burke) prize will be played for next Thursday.

Portumna

Open week attracted big numbers to Portumna and scoring was high. In the Monday open singles, Mark Walsh was the winner with 46 points from George Hunter on 39 and Peter Geraghty on 39. Sean Cleary won the gross with 33 points.
Róisín O’Byrne was the winner on ladies’ day with 46 points from Sally O’Connell on 43, Sue Casey on 40, Anne Daly, Bernadette Lynch and Annette Molloy. Anne Cassidy won the gross.
Wednesday’s singles Stableford competition was won by Albert Shanahan with 43 points from Jimmy Reilly on 41 and Kevin McGuire on 40. Shane Murphy won the gross with 32 points.
Thursday’s team of three was won by Ronan Nevin, Alan Hayes and Eddie Moloney with 52 points from Gerry and Ronan Madden and Paul Porter, who had a similar score. In third spot were Mick Keyes, Paul Bane and Alan Madden with 51 points followed by Matt Donoghue, Pat Healy and Joe Slattery, who also had 51 points.
Friday’s 18-hole stroke competition was won by Sean Cleary with 68 from Adrian Whyte on 68 and Pascal Carbin with 71. Paul Porter won the gross with 78.
The weekend’s team event was won by Francis McClearn, John Hynes, Martin McDonagh and Brian McClearn with 94 points from Dermot Corcoran, Ger Heffernan, Liam Mulroney and Mike Coniry with 94 points. In third spot were Jack Lynch, Pádraig Conroy, Shane Concannon and John Walsh with 93 points. In fourth spot with 92 points were Philip Somers, John Fenlon, John Greaney and Brendan O’Connell.
Portumna qualified to play in the quarter-final stages of the Barton Shield over the weekend at Ballinrobe but they were beaten by Athenry. The members of the team were Shane McHugo, Sean Cleary, John Cleary and Shane Ryan.
Portumna had a good win over Loughrea last week in the Jack O’Sullivan competition.
Next weekend the usual 18-hole competition will take place over Saturday and Sunday for both ladies and gents
The past captains’ golf outing will be on next Friday from 3pm to 5pm, followed by dinner. All past captains, both ladies and gents, are invited to take part.
The captain’s (Pete Gibbs) prize will be played for on July 24 and 25.

Ennis

In the June medal at Ennis last week, Yvonne Keohane was the winner of the silver division with 73 from Jean Molony on 74. Emmanuel McMahon won the bronze division with 72 from Brid Cunningham on 74.
In the ladies’ seniors outing last week, Frances O’Reilly, Nuala Guinan and Noreen Farrelly won with 47 from Susan O’Brien, Mary Leahy and Vera Byrne on 48. In third spot on 51 were Mary Colton, Bridget McInerney and Jean Considine followed by Vera Madden, Carmel Warner and Pauline Parks with 51.

Ennis Seniors

Colm McNevin was the winner of the Ennis Seniors’ open day last week, with a score of 40 points from Tony Blake, who had a similar score and who won the Paddy Keane Cup. Noel Pilkington was third with 40 points followed by Bernard Hoey on 39, Charlie McEnery on 38, Vincent Gardner with 38, John Keane with 38, Pat Cahill with 37 and Tom Joyce from Charleville with 37.
This Thursday’s outing will be a fundraising day for the Clare Crusaders clinic in Barefield, which provides therapy to 150 special needs children each week.
Ennis won the Clare final of the JHB Carr competition last week, with a 4-1 victory over Lahinch. They will now play the Kerry winners, Ballybunion or Ceann Sibeal, in the next round.

Shannon

Last Wednesday’s open singles saw visitor Con Woods from Dromoland capture the spoils with 42 points. The highlight of his opening nine was a birdie at the eighth, which saw him out in 21 points. Con also covered the back nine in 21 points with a birdie at the 18th proving vital. Con had one point to spare over junior member Daniel Brennan, who was around in level par.  Daniel covered the opening nine in level par with birdies at the first, second and eighth. He also covered the back nine in level par with further birdies at the 13th, 14th and 18th.Third place was occupied by Larry Walsh with 40 points. The gross was won by visitor Michael Whelan from East Clare, who was around in two under gross.
The ladies’ competition was the June medal, which saw Suzanne McMahon return to winning ways when 68 nett, which left her three shots clear of Jean Murphy-Wright, who was second with 71 nett. Next were a trio all returning 72 nett, Hilary Park, Sheila Forde and Mary Whelan, who filled third, fourth and fifth places respectively. The gross was captured by Naoimh McMahon with 81.
On the inter-club scene, the Junior Cup squad, under manager Noel Morgan, qualified for the North Munster final by seeing off hosts East Clare, Ennis and Woodstock at the weekend.
Chris Maguire captured the Clare Boys title played over the Castle Course in Lahinch when returning two rounds of 74 for 148 total to win by three shots from another Shannon member, David Casey.
Open week commences this Saturday and timesheets will operate throughout the week.

Doonbeg Links

Gerard Ryan was the winner of the recent singles competition at Doonbeg Links from Diarmuid O’Donnell.
The club matchplay is down to the last eight matches, with the final scheduled for mid-August. This will be followed by a fourball matchplay.

Gort

Siobhán O’Connor won the captain’s (Bernard Gillane) prize for the ladies at Gort last week with 40 points. Rosaleen Burke was second with 37 points followed by Sara Broderick on 37, Patricia Skehill on 35, Celine Fahey on 34, Maura Hanrahan on 33 and Phil Mulkerrins on 33. Ellen Dolan won the gross with 23 points.
In the 18-hole stroke medal competition at the weekend Christina Daly was the winner with 72 from Margaret Kelleher on a similar score. In third spot with 72 was Carmel Murphy, followed by Helen McCormack on 73.
Ann Marie Cradock’s ladies’ captain’s prize will be played for this Sunday and it will be an 18-hole stroke competition
In the men’s 18-hole singles Stableford  competition at the weekend, Tom Nolan was the winner with 41 points from Michael McInerney on 37 and Robin Lahiffe on 37.

Clarecastle

Clarecastle Golf Society will hold its next outing at Dromoland next Thursday. A timesheet will operate on the day, with the first tee reserved from 2.30pm. Further details are available from 086 3246015.

Corofin

The July outing of the Corofin Society will take place to Nenagh this Saturday. This is a golfer of the year outing and the tee is reserved from 10am.

East Clare

Ger Hogan was the winner of the men’s singles competition at East Clare on Sunday with 37 points.
In the men’s seniors competition last week, the winners were Conor Tuohy, Eamonn Long and Tony McNulty. There will be a singles competition for the men and ladies this weekend.

Clare girls chase Irish title

Four Clare girls will take part in the Lancome Irish Girls’ Close Championship at Grange Golf Club in Dublin next week (July 13 to 16).
They are Jenny Hennessy (Ennis), Lisa O’Shea (Shannon) and Lahinch pair Sinéad Sexton and Chloe Duggan.
Noticeable absentees from this year’s field are Leona and Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Laura McCarthy (Muskerry) and Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), who are all unavailable as they defend their gold medal at the European Girls’ Team Championships in Denmark.
An additional incentive for the field will be the announcement at the conclusion of the competition of the eight-player Irish girls’ international team, who will compete in the Girls’ Home Internationals on home soil at Bangor on August 4-6.
Seventy-two competitors play 18 holes strokeplay on Tuesday and Wednesday with the top 32 players qualifying for matchplay that afternoon, ahead of the crowning of the champion on Friday afternoon.