Narin & Portnoo Golf Club Notes 31st August 2011

It was a great adventure all the way but on Sunday, it came to a heart-breaking end. And I’m not just referring to Croke Park! Our Ulster Cup boys were on the cusp of qualifying for the Ulster Cup final, needing two and a half matches to progress against crack Down outfit, Kilkeel. The Mourne men had won two matches in Narin the previous week, so it was clear that it was going to be a tall order to improve on that away performance. But how close did we come! Out early, Joseph McLoone and Columba Gavigan won their respective matches to set up a grand finale, but try as they might, the other lads found the combination of strong winds, fast greens and competitive opponents too hot to handle and when the tally was completed, the club had lost on holes count-back. The fallen heroes were Patrick Boyle, P.J. Gallagher, John Bán Gallagher, Frankie Kennedy and Gerald McDwyer, but they had many great days en route to the final and such is sport. Great credit is due to the captain, Sean Hanrahan and all his assistants and caddies who pulled together over five months. The panel of players were focused throughout and all played their part in reaching the club’s first Ulster semi-final in 21 years. Onwards and upwards, lads!

Gerry Feeney enjoyed a three shot victory in Sunday’s stableford sponsored by Value Centre. The Dungloe vintner keeps a keen eye on our course in his role as greens convenor and he has the game to shoot really low scores when the planets align. Sunday was one such day, despite the setback of a blank at the second. Four pars on his front nine repaired the damage and four pars on five holes coming home ensured a healthy lead which he maintained to the finish.

Sunday’s runner-up, Shane Whittington won last Wednesday’s Open with 42 points, returning nines of 20 and 22 respectively. The score was built upon nine pars and a four-pointer birdie at Roaninish (11) and the Ardara man had two points to spare over Seamus Ryan in second. If he’s made the Ardara team for the annual Rider Cup, Glenties should beware!

Results:
August 28: Value Centre Stableford
1. Gerry Feeney (14) 39; 2. Shane Whittington (12) 36 b.o.t.; 3. Eddie Gregg (9) 36 b.o.t.; Cat A Donie McCole (9) 36; Cat B Jimmy Cunningham (14) 35; Cat C Sean Callaghan (18) 36; Nines: Ciaran O’Kane (9) 18 b.o.t.; James McGuinness (26) 21; CSS 74; Twos: 4 balls
August 17: Wednesday Open 1. Shane Whittington (14) 42; 2. Seamus Ryan (17) 40; 3. Martin Regan (18) 40; CSS 72; Twos: 5 balls

Fixtures:
August 28: Value Centre single stableford, open
August 31: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;