Narin & Portnoo Golf Club Notes 25th April 2011

A busy Easter week at the golf club culminated in the contesting of the first Francie Cunningham Memorial Trophy. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since Francie’s sad and sudden passing; he was larger than life and gave a lot to the golf club over many years. A large field turned out in glorious weather and Narin’s Michael Nicholson came up trumps with a fine score of 41 points. Michael was consistent on both nines, going out in 20 points and improving that score by a point on his return homewards. Nine pars was an excellent return for the 14 handicapper and he was a deserving winner. The trophy is perpetual and is sponsored by the Benny Society, Glencolmcille. The Cunningham family and friends presented the first prize on the night, while Dinny McGinley T.D. sponsored the runner-up’s prize won by Manus Boyle Senior.

Sean Hanrahan had a great day, captaining his Ulster Cup team to a seven nil success over Bushfoot and achieving four birdies and an eagle earlier in Francie’s memorial tournament. Alas, the rest of his round wasn’t of that vintage and he had to settle for 34 points. With just a half point required in the away leg, Sean must be confident that his charges have one foot in the second round of this prestigious tournament.

Finnian O’Doherty has been threatening a big score for a good while now and on Saturday, the modest Letterkenny lad came through with a remarkable round of 43 points (gross points 40) playing off three handicap. The practice under the tutelage of our club professionals is obviously bearing fruit because Finnian has allied scoring consistency to his prodigious ball-striking. Birdies at the second, third, tenth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth offset three bogeys on his front nine and he managed to keep a five or worse off his card coming home. In so doing, he took the Amateur Gross Points Record (for the par 73 course) from Will Bowman who recorded 38 in 2009.

Last Wednesday’s competition was won in fine style by Martin Regan with 42 points for a three point victory. A front nine of 20 points set up a good return and the Glenties lad duly responded to the challenge, parring six holes on his way home to set a target that no-one could get near.

Patsy Harkin’s Ulster Fourball team did not have the best of it in Bundoran in the return leg, winning one match but coming up just short in their attempt to reach the second round. By all accounts, his men performed admirably and have another opportunity to get this result out of their system in the Donegal Minor League in the coming months.

Thursday evenings from 5pm to 9pm have been set aside this summer for reduced coaching from our PGA professionals, with half hour slots available at just €20 per person, a reduction of €10 from the normal rate. Please phone the Pro Shop at 0749545107 to book a time.

Summer coaching for juniors will commence on Saturday, May 7th with PGA professionals, Connor Mallon and Daragh Lyons conducting lessons in three categories. These will continue every Saturday right through the summer. The time slots are as follows: Under 10s  from 2 to 3pm; Under 14s from 3 to 4pm; Under 18s from 4 to 5pm. Registration can be made by contacting the Pro Shop at 0749545107 prior to April 30th. The fee per lesson will be 5 euro per child.

The entry sheet for the Dr. McCloskey Singles Matchplay is up and members have until May 1st to enter this long-running competition. The entry fee is 6 euro.

Those who like classics and/or big individual events have much to look forward to in the coming months, with several fundraisers imminent and the Am-Am, Pro-Am and Three Club Challenge (along with Donegal and Lough Erne) to follow in June and July. All are open to visitors. Open Week will be staged in August.

Results:

April 20: Wednesday Open

1. Martin Regan (19) 42; 2. Sean Cafferty (11) 39 b.o.t.; 3. Hugh Roarty (18) Liberton G.C., Edinburgh 39 b.o.t.; C.S.S. 72; Twos: 4 balls April 23: Club Competition 1. Finnian O’Doherty (3) 43; 2. Mark Diver (16) 39; 3. Eoin Dunleavy (8) 36; C.S.S. 73; Twos: 4 balls April 24: Francie Cunningham Memorial Trophy 1. Michael Nicholson (14) 41; 2. Manus Boyle Snr. (19) 40; 3. Sean Whyte (12) 39 b.o.t.; Cat A Malachy Murrin (9) 39; Cat B Paul McNamee (16) 39 b.o.t.; Cat C Sean Callaghan (19) 38; Nines: Charlie Diver (20) 23; John B. Kelly (13) 21; C.S.S. 73; Twos: 3 balls; Sean Hanrahan had three twos, one an eagle on 8th.

Fixtures:

May 1: Pat The Cope Gallagher, M.E.P.;  open, single stableford.

May 2: Threeball Rumble, any combination, open May 4: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;