Greystones GC had much cause for celebration last weekend. Eddie Condren, one of the club's best known members, added the Connacht Seniors title to the Munster championship he won earlier in the month. Two three-over-par rounds of 74 gave Eddie a one-shot victory over Ormeau's Ron Wilson at Roscommon on Wednesday.
Two days later, one of the club's most promising juniors, Alan Murray, won the Leinster Youths Championship at Headfort after a play-off with David Jones (City of Derry).
And on Sunday, the club officially opened its new course which has eight new holes. A feature of the course is that designer Paddy Merrigan has managed to make it infinitely more challenging.
There was quite a turnout for Therese O'Connor's Captain's Prize at Hollystown last week. Therese is a daughter of the legendary Christy senior, and her mother, Mary, is president of the club. They were both present on the day when Cheri Feely scored a magnificent total of 49 Stableford points to take the main prize.
Cheri, who was playing off a 36 handicap, is a relative newcomer to the game. She joined the club about four months ago with her husband, a former rugby player with Belvedere. The stiff little breeze that was blowing didn't bother Cheri, who had six shots to spare over her nearest rival Jenny O'Hare.
According to Peter O'Connor, Christy's son, Cheri is "a very promising player". But she will now have to adjust to her new handicap: she lost five shots for her outstanding score.
Sally Maguire, that friendly face of Edmondstown GC, who has been looking after the needs of many golfers for many years, is retiring after 38 years at the club. To mark the occasion, a testimonial will be held in Edmondstown on August 26th. The competition will take the format of a four person team Stableford, with two scores to count at each hole and all four scores on the 18th. The entry fee per team is a reasonable £300. Some tee times are still available and may be booked at 01-4931082.
Beaverstown's Gary Cullen has a special affection for the Waterford golf course. Last year he set a new course record of seven-under-par 64, and over the weekend he again showed his fondness for the course when he won the Waterford Scratch Cup by two strokes from David Coyle (Dundalk). He had rounds of 68, 66, and two final rounds of 70 for a 10-under total of 274. "It was much the same as last year, wet and windy," said a delighted Cullen. "My target now is hopefully to make the Irish team for the home internationals and then turn professional in the autumn."
Golf for GOAL aims to raise £320,000 for GOAL's Street Children's project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with an Am-Am at Connemara GC, Ballyconeely, on July 10th. The competition is a team event with two scores to count at each hole. The entry fee is £300 per team of four and includes dinner and golf pack. Golf for GOAL will also commence on the Internet at http:// golfforgoal.local.ie/ from tomorrow. This includes a guest book where sponsors Jurys Hotel Group and Sonaco Travel Club will donate 10p per visitor between tomorrow and July 10th.
A good start is every golfer's dream. Bernard Johnston, a 12 handicapper at County Cavan, had his dream start on Saturday last when he opened his account in the Captain's (Paddy Haren) Prize with three birdies on his way to shooting a six-under-par 64. Bernard birdied the first, second and third holes and followed with another at the sixth as he covered the course in a six-over 76. Bernard won by one shot from Mark McNamara, with Eamonn Rice a shot further back in third place. Pat O'Connor won the gross with 75, which was only one shot better than Bernard's gross 76.
Thirteen-under-par is a score you associate with the professional game. Jack Counihan, a 12 handicap at Finnstown, did just that in shooting an amazing 53 to win the Captain's (Brendan Dwyer) Prize on Saturday. Jack scorched around the Lucan course in oneunder-par 65 gross which included five birdies and gave him a nett of 53. He had birdies at the fourth, seventh, 10th, 11th and 13th. Jack, who holds the restaurant franchise at Finnstown Golf and Country Club, had nine in hand on Brendan Ryan (5) 62 and Jimmy Martin (15) 64.
Edmondstown, holders of the Metropolitan Cup, have made their way into the quarter-finals of this year's competition. After an 8-1 win over Dublin Mountain in the first round, they beat Donabate 6-3 in the second and will now face another north county club, Forrest Little, next week. Castlewarden, semi-finalists last year, will meet Sutton in the last eight. The draw for the quarter-finals is: Edmondstown v Forrest Little; Sutton v Castlewarden; Castle v Hermitage; Malahide v Naas.
Dan Cleary had 10 shots to spare in the June Monthly medal at Westmanstown. Dan returned a nett 61 off 17. Dan's nearest challenger was John O'Brien who won class two with a 68.
Kilkenny are through to the final of the Provincial Town Cup after a 5-4 win over Wexford. They now await the outcome of the second semi-final between Ardee and Edenderry. Ardee had a close call when they beat Co Louth 5-4 in a local derby, while Edenderry also got through 5-4 against Royal Tara.
Nineteen-year-old Mark Lavin, a three-handicap from Dungarvan, broke the course record at Woodenbridge Golf Club yesterday in the Youths' Open tournament. Lavin, despite hitting a ball out of bounds and three-putting the 18th, finished with a magnificent five-under 66 to win the tournament.
