Narin & Portnoo Golf Club Notes 31st October 2011

The club’s over-50s team came up just short in its second leg of the final with Ballybofey and Stranorlar. The away team needed just a point following the disappointing first leg and they did the needful, despite some excellent performances by the Portnoo pairings. We congratulate Ballybofey & Stranorlar on their success and compliment James Quinn’s team on their performances throughout their long run in the competition. Playing on Sunday were Willie Quinn & Ciaran O’Kane, Patrick Boyle & Eamon McGill, Michael Nicholson & Sean Cafferty, John Quinn & Frankie Kennedy, and Conal Keeney & Seamus Ryan.

A successful golf fundraiser in aid of the Donegal Hospice was held on Saturday and the scoring was excellent. The in-form P.J. Gallagher won out in the end with 41 points, his second win in a week following his success in the Wednesday Open three days earlier. On that occasion, P.J. had finished with 39 points off ten handicap. Now reduced to playing off nine, P.J. parred seven of the holes going out and a further six on the return leg to the clubhouse. The addition of a birdie on 14 capped a fine performance.

Another in-form golfer, Tom Rawdon matched P.J.’s score the following day in the Sunday Stableford. The Killybegs golfer accumulated 22 points on the front nine and a birdie on 14 ensured that his productive work hitherto would be enhanced further. He had four points to spare over Jim Harley in second.

Martin Sweeney won last Sunday week’s stableford with a huge score of 43 points. Again, the bulk of the work was done on the front nine, with 23 points a major boon. More quality golf followed on the back nine, with the closing holes in particular negotiated with aplomb.

Gerald McDwyer won the annual Leo Molloy Fundraiser held on October 15th. The steady Glenties golfer led the field with 45 points and he needed to be so exacting on the course because others were hot on his tail such as Conal Gillespie (43) and Mickey Campbell (42). Gerald bucked the recent trend of having a better front nine by shooting 23 points on the return leg, a wee two on 16 the highlight. Having said that, his front nine was not to be sniffed at, including as it did no fewer than five pars and a birdie! Rita Cooney won the ladies’ event with an excellent 39 points.

The next presentation of prizes will take place on Saturday, November 5th at 8.30p.m. All those who finished in the first three places in the following competitions should be in attendance: Killybegs Golf Society; Co-Lab Medal; Value Centre; Glenside Bacon; Glenties Golf Society; J. Kelly & Sons; Nesbitt A4rms Medal; Glenties GAA Medal.

A sponsors’ event will take place on Saturday, November 5th commencing at 10a.m. All sponsors in 2011 are invited to enter a fourball and a complimentary tea/coffee and scone will be available on arrival.

The ringer competition has been cancelled through lack of interest in the event. The two matchplay events are in the final stages and we look forward to the resolution of these long-running and prestigious competitions. Meanwhile, the eight winners of the monthly medals will face off to decide the 2011 Golfer of the Year. The draw is as follows: (1) Sean Hanrahan v Kevin Patton; (2) Mickey Campbell v Myles Cunningham; (3) John Quinn v Charlie Diver; (4) Paul McCloskey v Peter Shovlin. These matches must be played by November 20th and no extensions will be countenanced. The semi-final must be played by December 4th with the winners of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3.

The draw for the Winter Matchplay will be made on November 20th and entries and fees payable (12 euro per pair) can be made in the Pro Shop.

Results:
October 15: Leo Molloy Fundraiser
1. Gerald McDwyer (12) 45; 2. Conal Gillespie (17) 43; 3. Mickey Campbell (11) 42; 4. B. Gallagher (18) 38; 5. G. Friel (18) 37; 6. B. McGill (16) 36; 7. A. Erskine (18) 35 b.o.t.; Ladies: 1. Rita Cooney (20) 39; Deirdre Patton (27) 36; Mary Hackett (16) 35;

October 23: Sunday Stableford
1. Martin Sweeney (27) 43; 2. Tony Dooley (18) 39; 3. Vinny Gallagher (17) 39; CSS 72; Twos: 7 balls

October 26: Wednesday Open
1. P.J. Gallagher (10) 39 b.o.t.; 2. Tom Rawdon (20) 39; 3. Harold Reid (7) 37; CSS 73; Twos: 3 balls

October 29: Donegal Hospice Fundaiser
1. P.J. Gallagher (9) 41; 2. Kevin Patton (9) 39; 3. P.J. Murray (14) 38 b.o.t.; 4. Paddy B. Boyle 38; Nines: Joseph McLoone; Seamus McDonagh; Nearest the pin: Kevin Nicholson; Longest drive gents: Mathew Smith; Longest drive ladies: Nan Quinn;

October 30: Sunday Stableford
1. Tom Rawdon (19) 41; 2. Jim Harley (10) 37 b.o.t.; 3. Lyle Taggart (15) 37; No twos.

Fixtures:
November 5: Competition for Sponsors, 10 a.m.; Presentation of club prizes at 8.30p.m.

November 6: Single Stableford, open

November 9: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;