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

The first round of the Waterford Crystal sponsored Winter Series for 2008 got off the ground last Wednesday and this was won by the Gowran Park pairing of Thos. Farrell and Mattie Byrne who were clear winners on the day. An unusually mild day for this time of year, 13 degrees temperature for the better part of a day that deteriorated in the latter part to a drop in temperature and some heavy rain, but most of the field of competitors had finished by that time. Certainly the winners, who were first out at 10am, played most of their round in casual wear and obviously relished the conditions. The competition format was a fourball betterball stableford, play as usual was off the white and red tees and the course was in great condition despite the recent falls of rain. The winning partnership played very consistently with nines of 20 and 21 points respectively and their score of 41 points was two points clear of their nearest opponents. This qualifies them for the Grand Final in April and with only four more qualifying events down for decision places in the final are rapidly taking shape. The next competition in the series takes place on Wednesday 13th February and this is a 3 Person Scramble. Tee times may be booked by telephoning 056/7773064 or 7773071 for this and the remaining competitions.

Last Sunday saw the first of the Member/Guest competitions for 2008 commence as well, with a fourball betterball stableford starting the year rolling. The winners were Stephen Price and his guest James Moran with 42 points and they just pipped the Kilkenny pairing of Michael Whelan and his guest Tom Hickey by virtue of a better back nine holes. The next competition in the Member/Guest series takes place on Sunday 17th February and again it is a Fourball Betterball Stableford with the timesheet opening on Monday 4th February.