Mount Juliet Golf Notes

On Friday last the fundraiser for the Special Olympics was held which included golf, dinner in Kendals Brasserie Restaurant and the evening concluded with an auction of sporting memorabilia and other items.

The auction was conducted by former rugby international, Fergus Slattery, and although it did not take too long to auction all items, it greatly contributed to a very deserving cause in helping some of our athletes to partake in the Special Olympics. Full credit to the chief organiser of the event, Norman Kilroy, a former captain of the club and a person who gives his time every year to run the events of the day. Over €30,000 was raised on the day and this will be added to the overall fund to cover the enormous costs of sending the Irish team to the games.

Last Sunday saw the May competition for Member/Guest decided and the format was a fourball stableford. The winning score of 42 points was returned by Pat Price Sr., and his guest David Kelly. They were two points clear of their nearest rivals Michael Williams and Aidan McDonald. Because of the inclement weather and the recovery rate of some players who played on Friday, the entry for this competition was smaller than usual.

Next Thursday sees the next round of the Summer Series which an open competition for teams of four players. Tee times can be obtained for this competition by phoning golf reservations or the golf shop.

On Sunday next the first of the “majors” is down for decision with the running of the Jack Nicklaus Trophy. This singles competition will count for points in the Golfer of the Year for men and ladies.

On the Inter Club scene, the Duggan Cup team are due to meet our neighbours Gowran Park on Friday next.

May Member & Guest Fourball Sunday 22nd May

Winners

Pat Price Snr. (14)

David Kelly (7) (Malahide) 42 points

Second

Michael Williams (20)

Aidan McDonald (6) (Kilkenny) 40 points

Last Sunday saw the annual competition between teams representing the Lady Captain (Sally Gleeson) playing against a team of the Captain (Jim Cusack). The format of the competition was a fourball betterball stableford with 13 scores to count on each side. The draw for teams took place at a function on Saturday night. At this very enjoyable function, the Golfer of the Year trophies were presented as was the McCalmont Cup and the September Medals.

At the end of play on Sunday, the Lady Captain’s Team just prevailed by a score of 483 points to 478 points and the last four teams to finish determined the outcome of the competition. The trophy was presented to the Lady Captain by the Captain and the three best pairs also received prizes. Best overall pair was the Captain himself with his partner Dan Cronin who scored 46 points and they just got home by a point from James J. Brett and Padraic O’Connor who in turn beat David Kelly and Alan Hearne on a countback. The winners had nines of 24 and 22 points respectively and the runners-up scored 21 and 24 points which just beat the third placed team by virtue of a better back nine holes.

This Wednesday sees the final round of the Summer Series before the Winter Series starts at the end of October. Next week the Lady President (Mary Jones) holds her prize for the lady members, and the ladies Invitation day for October will be held on Wednesday the 13th (3 person rumble).

Results : Lady Captain v Captain Fourball Stableford

Winners : Jim Cusack (13) & Dan Cronin (18) – 46 points

Second : James J. Brett (15) & Padraic O’Connor (20) – 45 points

Third : David Kelly (5) & Alan Hearne (14) – 45 points

Last Sunday saw one of the “majors” decided with the running of the Jack Nicklaus Trophy for both the ladies and men.

With a very large entry, on the only really nice day that came this year, the scoring was very competitive amongst the members.  The winner and holder of the trophy for 2009/2010 is David Kelly who scored 38 points off 5 handicap.  David had nines of 18 and 20 points respectively scoring a 75 gross and dropped shots to par on the 2nd ,13th and 18th holes and added a double bogie on the 4th , but for all this he recorded birdies on the 1st and 12th for a three over par total.  He won from Hugh O’Connor who also recorded 38 points but with a inferior last nine holes.  Hugh had 21 points on the first nine holes but could only add 17 points for the back nine.  In third place came John Carr with 36 points, which represented a one over gross total of 73 shots.

The ladies section was won by Sally Gleeson with 36 points, playing off 13 handicap, she had nines of 20 and 16 points respectively and just got home from Lynda Hickey with 35 points and in third place came Sandra Carr with 32 points.  The Carr family rounded up the day on a high note as young Darcey Carr won the special junior prize with 38 points, great scoring off her handicap of 15.  This result means that Lynda Hickey holds a commanding lead in the Golfer of the Year (Ladies) competition with 32 points and she leads by 8 points from Sally Gleeson and Ruth Mulholland who are tied with 24 points.

The Golfer of the Year (Men) competition is a getting a slight “strung out” look also after the Nicklaus Trophy with John Carr in the lead with 24 points followed by John Brennan and Jim Cusack with 19 and 15 points respectively.

Results

Winner                       David Kelly (5)                    38 points

Second                      Hugh O’Connor (13)            38 points

Third                          John Carr (1)                      36 points

1st Nine                      Jim Cusack (14)                 22 points

2nd Nine                      Kevin McCartan (17)           20 points

Ladies:

Winner                       Sally Gleeson (13)              36 points

Second                      Lynda Hickey (26)              35 points

Third                          Sandra Carr (20)                 32 points

Special Junior Prize         Darcey Carr (15)                 38 points

On the Inter Club front only two teams survive in their respective competitions.  The only men’s team to continue are pitted against Castlecomer in the Leinster Fourball and the Ladies Intermediate Cup team play Enniscorthy in the third round of that competition.  This team had a fine win against Woodlands in the previous round winning by the odd match of five, Mary Fulton getting the required win.