Letterkenny Golf Club notes – Low men in high places

Following on from our very successful Captain’s Day, Wednesday 15th was the Doherty’s Fresh Foods, Letterkenny [Stephen Shiels] sponsored Open and it was the “low men” who came to the fore for this competition.

 Taking top tier on the podium by virtue of a 3 way B.O.T. was Martin A. Gallagher [6]  who, with bogeys at 1st & 3rd followed by a birdie at 4th, took the turn at one over par gross and sealed a deserved win with a one under  par gross return on back nine which consisted of birdies at 16th and 18th for a level par round and a 41pt finish.

Relegated to second place on that B.O.T. was Paddy Hannigan [9] who, despite a disappointing bogey at 1st, returned “nines” of 20 & 21pts, and with the help of a birdie at par five 18th, thus relegated Kieran Sweeney [7] to third place. Kieran’s outward nine of one under par gross consisted of birdies at 2nd and 5th holes, with a “sloppy” bogey at 8th giving him a count of 23pts. With a bogey at 10th followed by a birdie at 13th, Kieran’s double bogey at 15th was his nightmare.

In fourth place was Juniors’ Captain Chris Duffy [6] with a two over par gross round of 40pts. Chris’ dropped shot at third was his only blemish on front nine and starting the inward journey with a bogey also, followed up with birdies at 11th & 18th. Cat 4 prize was won by John Bowe [21] with 37pts and an envious card to study was that of Gross winning juvenile Jack Patton [4] Jack’s one over par gross score consisted of bogeys at 3rd, 8th, 9th, 13th & 18th, whilst his birdies were recorded at 4th, 5th 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th. Believe it or not, Jack had a “blank” at 6th! Visitors prize on the day went to Dara Gilmore [8] with 39pts.

Letterkenny Golf Club Vice Captain Ivan Fuery welcoming competition sponsor Mr. Pat Mc Fadden, Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney, to the prizegiving at the clubhouse. Also in photograph l-r, are prizewinners Tony Logue [2nd], Conor Mc Cosker [winner]and Billy Gilroy [3rd].  

Unfortunately, due to the unexpected inclement weather, the Ladies and Gents Fundraising Classic on Friday 17th was postponed but with another fine entry on Saturday 8th for the DMG Motors, Donegal Town, sponsored Open, it was welcome visitor Johnny Sweeney [6] who took the spoils with a fine 43pts.

With birdies at 2nd and 8th cancelled out by bogeys at 6th and 9th, Johnny’s level par front nine was nevertheless a firm stepping stone to a one under par back nine with that birdie eventually coming at par five 18th. Runner-up spot was claimed by back-to-form Roy Mc Crory [8]  whose birdie at 2nd was followed by a disappointing bogey at 3rd but birdies at 11th, 13th & 17th relieved some of the annoyance of a 40pt finish. In third place was Hugo Daly [22] hopefully starting another run of placings with 39pts while Gross was won by Jamie Foley [3] with 34 gross pts.

Sunday 19th confined competition was the turn of the Cat 4 members to show a bit of form and leading the way by a long margin was Glenn Mc Nulty [24] with a runaway 46pts. Having recorded 24pts on front nine, Glenn showed his patience within the game and skillfully played his way home to the winner’s enclosure.

In second place was a familiar face of late to the rostrum, Tony Logue [20] who, despite a double bogey at 1st, steadied himself as the round progressed and a fine 22pts on back nine gave him an overall 41pts to outpoint Captain Gerard Duffy [5] who is proving that his hectic year in office is proving no obstacle to his golfing prowess. Gerard’s one over par gross score consisted of birdies at 5th and 7th, recording 24pts from 8th thru 18th for a one over back nine, that “blemish” being at par five 11th.

Best Gross on the day, making it a weekend double, was Jamie Foley [3] once again. Again, with a card well worth reading, Jamie’s birdies at 4th, 7th, gave him a two under gross front nine score [34 shots] whilst birdies at 12th and 15th helped him to a level par round following bogeys at 10th, 13th, 17th & 18th.

Monday 20th Cat 4 competition was won by Mark Carrigy with 27pts over 13 holes. Cat 4 convenor Gerry O’ would like all his members to note that Margo Birmingham’s Lady Captain’s Prize to Cat 4,

will be played for on Monday 27th. Please book asap online,  place your name on sheet provided in locker room and contact Gerry for further information. As large a turnout as possible would be appreciated for our Lady Captain.

Mr. Secretary & club matchplay convenor, Barry Ramsay, would ask all those who have entered the club singles & pairs matchplay competitions to check the noticeboard for ginal dates of matches to be played.

The 7th Annual Silver Tassie Hotel sponsored North-West Breast Care Unit Ladies & Gents Open Stableford Competition will take place on Friday 24th July. Fantastic prizes are on offer with first prize alone worth over €2,000e. With a meal, prizegiving and entertainment afterwards in the award-winning Silver Tassie Hotel, the €25 entry fee is well worth it. Book online now at letterkennygolfclub.com 

Saturday 25th will see the Mc Gettigan’s Bar @ Clanree Hotel sponsored Open while Sunday 26th will host the Value Centre Wholesale Letterkenny Open. Wednesday 29th will be the Bonner Engineering Open while members are reminded that Sunday 2nd August will have the fourth “major” of the club’s golfing calendar, Lady Captain Margo Birmingham’s Prize to the Gents.

Congratulations to the Kevin Kiely led Donegal Seniors [over 50’s]team who defeated Portsalon GC at the seaside venue on Wednesday last. Traveling with a 3-2 match and three hole advantage, Captain Kevin’s longstanding matchplay knowledge, advice and foresight on the pitfalls of away matches proved correct as the match, as he predicted fell to “holes” won with the Letterkenny team narrowly winning through.

Many thanks are extended to our golfing neighbours for an intense yet gentlemanly and sportsmanship game of golf.