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 only team surviving in the inter club competitions, The Ladies Challenge Cup team, played Killerig in the quarter final on Monday last with Mount Juliet hosting three of the 5 matches at home. Unfortunately for the home team there was no joy to be related at the end of the day with Killerig coming out victors on a 3/2 scoreline. The vital win was secured on the 18th at Mount Juliet by Miriam Farrell of Killerig as Mount Juliet had lost their two matches at Killerig. All the team and their manager, Helen Comerford, are to be commended for the committment and dedication given during the earlier rounds and with a small bit of luck could have gone on to reach the Semi-Final. So that ends that chapter for another year and we will look forward to better things in 2009.

The July Summer Series was played last Wednesday and a full turnout of teams participated with the honours for the day going to the team comprising of members of Craddockstown and Black Bush golf clubs. Conditions were ideal for scoring but again most of the players found the course playing to it’s full length. The winning score of 92 points just beat the combination of Boystown, South County and The Heath players by a shot with a team from the Rebel County a further point behind. The winners had nines of 47 and 45 points respectively whereas the runner-up had nines of 46 and 45 points. The crucial hole was the long par five ,17th, where the winners scored an eagle and a birdie to record seven points whereas the runners-up had a total of 5 points with two pars. Special mention has to be made to our sponsors for the competition, Golf Andalucia, who provided magnificent prizes for the day to the lucky players who won.

Results July Summer Series:

Winners:

Frank Byrne(8) – Craddockstown G.C.
Alan Kavanagh(12)
Barry Mc Carthy(12)
Nicky Power(6)- Black Bush G.C
92 points.

Second:

Pamela Harrington(32) – Boystown G.C.
Philip Wardick(10)
Shay Doherty(9) – South County G.C.
Michael Whelan(16) – The Heath G.C
91 points

Third:

Mathew Geaney(17) – Kanturk G.C.
Derek O’ Donovan(14) – Fermoy G.C.
Eamon O’ Sullivan(14) – East Cork G.C.
Peter Gibney(20) – Kanturk G.C
90 points.

Fourth:

Jim Walsh(10) – Gowran Park G.C.
Mick Walsh(10) – St. Helens Bay G.C.
Ger Walsh(9)
Les Walsh(7)
88 points.
Our Next Summer Series competition is Tuesday 8th July sponsored by Coca Cola.
The 8th of July event is now full, but a wait list is in operation. Places are still available for the 12th August and 1st September events and as usual tee times can be booked by phoning 056/7773064 or 7773071

The Monthly Summer Series for May was played last week and a team from Limerick were victorious on a breezy but warm day. Jed O’ Dwyer from The Hurler’s Cross pub led his team to a convincing victory with a very good score of 93 points. They had nines of 48 and 45 points respectively and ran out winners by 2 points from the Kilkenny based team of Liam Slevin, Niall O’Gorman, Victor Smyth and Ken Hovenden who in turn beat the Dublin team of Pamela Harrington, Susan Hegarty, Gilly Campbell and Philip Wardick on a countback.

The next competition in the series takes place on June 10^th with the format the same for all the series which is a four person team event. Each event is a “shotgun start” at 2pm which is proving to be very popular with the players.

Two more teams were in action on the Inter Club scene and unfortunate to relate that both teams suffered a defeat. In the first leg of the quarter final of the Ladies Junior Foursomes against Moate Golf Club, the Mount Juliet team acquitted themselves well by losing 2 matches to 1 with the second leg due to be played in two weeks time at Mount Juliet. Hopefully they can reverse the away result and march through to the semi-final.

In the qualifying round of the Pierce Purcell Shield held at Wexford Golf Club last Saturday the Mount Juliet Team, although acquitting themselves well, lost out when they failed to qualify for the regional playoff. Unfortunately the only men’s team left in competition now is the Duggan Cup team and they now play Callan in early June.

Pierce Purcell Team at Wexford last Saturday

Next Sunday sees the Jack Nicklaus Trophy down for decision and this is a Golfer of the Year competition and is regarded as one of the “majors” in the club to win.

All members involved are reminded that there is only a fortnight left to complete the first round of the McCalmont Cup matchplay.

Results Summer Series:

Winners:
Jed O’ Dwyer(11)
Tony Finan(17)
Mike O’ Brien(13)
Donal Hanley(18) Casteltroy G.C.……… 93 points.

Second:
Liam Slevin(12) Castelcomer G.C.
Victor Smyth(10)
Ken Hovenden(15)
Niall O’ Gorman(10) Kilkenny…………. 91 points.

Third:
Pamela Harrington(32) Boystown
Philip Wardick(10)
Susan Hegarty(32)
Gilly Campbell(14) Edmondstown………91 points.