Narin & Portnoo Golf Club Notes 15th July 2009

After weeks of planning, the Donegal Alzheimer Society Fundraiser is ready for the off and we expect a big turnout this Saturday at Narin. The singles competition is open to ladies and gents and the winner will receive overnight accommodation for two, plus two tickets to see Ireland’s rugby match with South Africa at Croke Park in the autumn. The many other prizes are also very lucrative and we hope that everyone supports this worthy cause.

The members were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Paddy Lalor who enjoyed his golf at Narin over many a long year. We sympathise with his family and friends.

Paul Cooney won the Abbey Hotel single stableford at Narin with 40 points off a nine handicap. His first nine holes were perfunctory indeed, but a fabulous birdie on the tough par five tenth sparked him into life, with further birdies dropping at 13 and 16. The 23 point return on the back nine augmented his overall tally considerably and he had two shots to spare over Ciaran O’Kane in second. Will Bowman, a scratch handicap golfer from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro broke the stableford course record by cruising round in 38 points. A hat-trick of birdies rattled the cup at 8, 9 and 10 and if that wasn’t enough, he did it again at 12, 13 and 14! The four bogeys were unfortunate on what was a whopper of a card, but the gross score of 71 is Will’s parting gift to the course as he returns to the States.

Young Aaron Bennett is one to watch in the coming years, with the teenager winning his first event in the senior ranks with a fine score of 42 points last Wednesday. Practice makes perfect and the grandson of former head green-keeper, Hugh Sharpe has been honing his swing all summer. He was steady enough on his front nine, but it was around the turn that he excelled, scoring seven consecutive three-pointers from the eighth. The 24 points on his back nine allied to the 18 achieved going out gave Aaron 42 points and a one point win over sharpshooter, Finnian O’Doherty whose form continues to impress all and sundry.

Last Sunday’s medal was won by Charlie Tully, demonstrating all the old guile and working the course like a gifted artisan. The tough conditions favoured the accurate drivers and Charlie spent little time searching for lost causes. His eight pars were praiseworthy and when he made an error, he didn’t make the mistake of haemorrhaging shots. Charlie’s win enters him into the matchplay stage of the Golfer of the Year competition which will be played in October. Charlie Bryson chipped in at the third for the second week running and dispelled whatever notions he had entertained of signing his playing partners up with an account at Specsavers.

The club organised a stableford on Monday last and despite the wet weather, a goodly contingent took to the links. Adrian Maguire has been putting in the practice of late and he reaped the reward with an earth-shattering 44 points. The points totals on the nines were identical, with eight pars adorning a great card.

The July Junior Golf Camp is fully booked, but there are still spots remaining on the camp to be held on the 24th and 25th of August. Contact Connor or Daragh at 074-9545107 for details.

Results:
July 5: Abbey Hotel: 1. Paul Cooney (9) 40; 2. Ciaran O’Kane (13) 38 b.o.t.; 3. Gerry Feeney (15) 38 b.o.t.; Cat A Will Bowman, U.S.A. (Scr.) 38 (new stableford amateur gross points record); Cat B John B. Kelly (13) 37 b.o.t.; Cat C Pat Gallagher (18) 36; Nines: Seth Crosbie (21) 20 b.o.t.; Michael Nicholson (14) 21; CSS 74; Twos: 3 balls

July 8: Wednesday Open: 1. Aaron Bennett (18) 42pts; 2. Finian O’Doherty (5) 41pts ; 3. Vinnie Gallagher (15) 40pts; 4. Justin Gillespie (17) 39; C.S.S. 73

July 12: Gallagher’s Bakery Monthly Medal 1. Charlie Tully (12) 72 b.o.t.; 2. Rab Brady (12) 72; 3. Seth Crosbie (21) 73; Cat A John Molloy (8) 74; Cat B Francie Cunningham (11) 75; Cat C Eamonn McNelis (18) 76; Nines: Dudley Coyle (21) 32.5; Harold Reid (5) 38.5; CSS 76; Twos: 4 balls

July 13: 1. Adrian Maguire (20) 44; 2. Joe Harley (16) 39 b.o.t.; 3. Conal Gillespie (17) 39; 4. Liam O’Hagan (Armagh) (7) 37 b.o.t.; Twos: 3 balls each; C.S.S. 72

Fixtures:
July 17: Mixed Scotch Foursomes, draw for partners at 6p.m.

July 18: Alzheimer Fundraiser, single stableford, open

July 19: Patrick Johnny Sally’s, single stroke, open

July 22: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee