Mount Juliet Golf Notes

Last Sunday saw the new Captains for 2010 installed into office and the end of a great year for outgoing Captains Billy Murphy and Sheila MacDonald. Mount Juliet is indebted to Billy and Sheila for their charm, wit and general good humour throughout a difficult period for all golf clubs in these turbulent times. The new Captains “drive in” took place in the late afternoon after two nine hole golf competitions, which were played in the morning and early afternoon, were completed. A good turnout of members competed for some seasonal hampers and despite the recent very wet conditions, thanks to Aidan and his staff, the course was in excellent condition and but for a few heavy showers the day turned out to be a pleasant one.

The new Captain, Jim Cusack, featured in the prizes on offer and the new Lady Captain, Sally Gleeson, also featured rather indirectly as well. There was some excellent scoring for the 2 person rumble with one score to count on the first six holes and 2 scores to count on the last 3 holes. There was a four way tie on the back nine for prizes but the front nine was very much a “cut and dry affair” and whether the back nine played more difficult than the first nine is a matter of conjecture. Sufficient to say that the competition will be remembered by Bryan Phelan who scored a “hole in one” on the 3rd hole. It was still not sufficient to overtake the winners James J. Brett and his cousin James E., who powered their way around by returning a very solid 30 points. The competition for the back nine was won by Captain Jim Cusack and his partner, Michael Coughlan, with 24 points on a countback from Paul Carty and Gerry Magee. All competitors enjoyed a day interspersed with seasonal fare at the 10th tee provided by resident chef Chris and his helpers.

The new vice Captains were announced at the presentation of prizes and they are James J. Brett and Margaret Twomey who are a very popular choice with all the members.

The “Drive In” took place with the usual pomp, ceremony and general banter in front of a captive audience at the Hunters Yard with the surroundings bedecked with holly and decorations.

Next Thursday sees the last round of the Winter Series take place for 2009 and intending competitors can reserve their  tee time by phoning 056 7773064 or 056 7773071.

Results “Drive In” Competitions

The Winter Series got off the ground on Thursday of last week. The winning team consisted of Billy Walsh and Gary Walsh from Castlecomer Golf Club with Mattie Byrne of Gowran Park and Ollie Hickey from Kilkenny Golf Club. The winners had nines of 40 and 43 points respectively and they had just one blip on the par four 12th hole where they only scored 3 points. Otherwise they were consistent throughout scoring a minimum of four points at each hole. They won by two clear shots from their nearest rivals. The next round takes place on Thursday 17th December.

Next Sunday sees the “Drive In” of the Captains for 2010 at 3.45pm.
This will be preceded by a nine hole rumble for the members to be played over both nines with prizes for the winning scores on both nines. The incoming Captains are Jim Cusack and Sally Gleeson and at the social evening afterwards the Vice-Captains will be announced. Hopefully the weather will be favourable for the day so that the competitions take place and there will be plenty of seasonal cheer available during the day.

Last Sunday saw the Captains for 2008, Peter Quigley and Rita Garvey, drive into office on a very blustery day laced with intermittent showers. But undeterred by the testing conditions a large number of members braved the elements and got into the festive atmosphere which prevailed on the day. There were two nine hole competitions run on the day in conjunction with the “drive in” and these were keenly fought with hampers going to all twelve prizewinners. Pride of place for the first nine holes went to the incoming captain Peter Quigley and his wife Mary who duly scampered away with this prize while Jeff Howes and Steve Tormey had two shots to spare in winning the second nine. There was plenty of sustenance to be got at the 10th tee for all competitors who braved the conditions and this was followed by the presentation of prizes and a social evening in the Hunter’s Yard.
This Thursday sees the next round of the Winter series with a 3 person team event down for decision and then the final round before the Christmas break is scheduled for Tuesday 18th December and the format for that event will be an 18 holes singles stableford.
Results Captains Drive In.

Front Nine Holes:

Winners:
Peter Quigley (7)
Mary Quigley (31) 27 points

Second:
John Mulholland (21)
Ruth Mulholland (12) 26 points

Third:
Joe Hyland (10)
Norman Williams (13) 24 points

Second Nine Holes

Winners:
Jeff Howes (6)
Steve Tormey (17) 28 points

Second:
Michael Whelan (7)
Joe Fitzpatrick (8) 26 points

Third:
Bryan Phelan (16)
Billy Murphy (18) 25 points