Narin & Portnoo Golf Notes 28th April 2009

A proud Bart Whelan of Ardara won the Ulster Bank March Medal at Narin & Portnoo Golf Club and received it last Sunday from club captain, Michael Glynn.

Alan Elliott of Narin was the winner of the April Medal sponsored by Donegal Oil. Club Captain, Michael Glynn was on hand to present it to a worthy winner.

The entry sheet is up for the 2009 Pro-Am to be held on June 27th and 28th. Entries are limited to Narin and Portnoo members (ladies and gents) until May 1st. Thereafter, entry will be open to all.

The draws for the three club matchplay competitions have been made and details may be found on the club website or by ringing the Pro Shop. Players should note that the closing date for the first round of each event is May 11th.

The club’s teams were in action during the past week and met with mixed results. Following their disappointing result in the home leg, Narin and Portnoo needed a big turnaround in the away match with Ulster Cup opponents, Gracehill. There was one change to the team, with Rab Brady drafted in for the USA-bound Frankie Kennedy. The boys came close, with Declan Gallagher winning by an impressive five and four and Conal Keeney securing a vital half. Sadly, no further points were retrieved and we had to bow out gracefully. Congratulations to worthy victors and commiserations to John Molloy and his troops.

Martin and Margaret Roarty’s Fred Daly team performed admirably in the home match with the low-handicappers from Tandragee, with Patrick Roarty winning superbly for Narin and John Moore halving on the eighteenth green. The lads were always going to be up against it against one of the bigger sides but we will put up a really good show in the plate competition. The other players on the day were Finnian O’Doherty, Aaron Bennett, Conall Boomer, Jamie McGroary and Ciaran Roarty.

Bart’s Ulster Fourball side pulled off a great result in Strabane last Thursday, pinching three matches out of five. The winners were the pairings of Patrick Gallagher/Connell Gavigan, Paul McGinley/Frank McGinley and Ted Breslin/Manus Boyle Snr. The unfortunate pairings were Hugh F. Shovlin/Paddy B. Boyle and Mícheál McGinley/Kevin McCready and they, in particular, will be hungry for better fortune in the return this Saturday. We wish them all well.

George Doherty has always talked a fine game, but after receiving the sharp end of his compatriots’ jibes of late, he decided to back up the handsome rhetoric with some sparkling golfing retorts. The adrenaline was pumping from the off! Bart and Eamonn’s words-to-the-wise resounded in his ears as putt after putt dropped into the cup, heralding a return to form for the Ardara legend. Six pars were recorded on the outward nine and four more on the return negated much of the damage caused by a couple of blanks. Whether it’s enough to break into the generalissimos’ team machinations is another matter entirely! George had two points to spare over Harold Reid, whose own score returned him to Category One status after a couple of low-yielding years. Patrick Phildy Gallagher’s hole-in-one at the third was also warmly greeted by his Glenties brethren.

Handicap Secretary, Francie Cunningham won last Wednesday’s Open with a huge score of 43 points. Nines of 22 and 21 sealed victory and reduced his own mark considerably. Twelve pars and a birdie are evidence of a man in form!

The members sympathise with the McLoone family of Glenties on the recent passing of Michael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Results:
April 22: 1. Francie Cunningham (12) 43; 2. Gerard McCabe (17) 38 b.o.t.; 3. Adrian Maguire (20) 38; C.S.S. 72; Twos: 5 balls each

April 26: Clonleigh Co-Op; C.S.S. 72 1. George Doherty (18) 41; 2. Harold Reid (6) 39 b.o.t.; 3. Paddy McGarrigle (18) 39; Cat A Kevin Patton (9) 37; Cat B Charlie Tully (12) 37; Cat C Hugh F. Shovlin (19) 37; Nines: Des Turley (14) 21; Paul McGinley (19) 20; Hole-in-one: Patrick Phildy Gallagher @ 3rd: 15 balls; Twos: 4 balls

Fixtures:
The details of upcoming competitions may be viewed on the club website. Fixture cards for both gents and ladies are also available in the Pro Shop.

May 2: Ulster Fourball match v Strabane 3p.m.

May 3: Kelly Toyota Medal, open; Minor League match at home to Redcastle; Jimmy Bruen qualifying at Castle Hume;

May 4: Atlantic Marine 3Ball Scramble, ladies & gents, open

May 6: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 15 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee