Letterkenny Golf Club notes – Kevin Rafferty wins in ‘Auto Fast’ time

Junior golf “teed-off” the week of Monday 10th and Brian Diver [24] entered the winners circle with a return of 40pts.

Taking the turn on 21pts, Brian secured his victory with the help of a birdie at par three 16th. In runner-up spot was Conor Coady [21] with 39pts. Monday 17th Junior winner was Phillip Cassidy [11] with a magnificent 43pts.

Starting with a disastrous triple bogey at 1st, Philip birdied 5th and 7th for a 21pt front nine and made certain of his prize with a birdie at 18th for an inward nine of 22pts. Runner-up was James Tourish [26] on 41pts.

 Wednesday 12th Open was sponsored by Value Centre, Letterkenny, and returning to the podium following a long absence was Charles Mc Laughlin [15] who, also finishing front nine holes with 21pts, also required a birdie on 18th to outpoint Tony Logue [19] who started his round with five pars and recorded 24pts on outward nine, then incredibly “blanked” 10th and 11th holes to finish with 41pts overall.

In third place was Peter Muldoon [13], recording a birdie at 5th only to  follow with a”blank” at par five 7th  for 21pts on front nine. Peter’s steady golf on inward nine was rewarded with another birdie at 18th for a 40pt return. Gross prize was won by Jamie Foley [3] with 36 gross pts consisting of bogeys at 6th, 7th and 15th, negated by birdies at 11th, 13th and 16th for a level par round 72 gross.

Friday 14th had the club host a Mixed Foursomes Open competition and, with a very good entry throughout the day, it was the winning partnership of the wily Greg Sullivan and the demure Kathleen Gallagher who dazzled the entire field into submission with a winning score of 68nett.

Saturday 15th saw the annual Auto Fast-Fit Tyre Centre [Pearse Rd.] Open take place and coming out in front was the big hitting Kevin Rafferty [6] with a level par round 72 gross which consisted of a birdie at 4th erased by a “blank” at par three 8th giving him a meagre 17pts on front nine only for Kevin to spark into overdrive and record birdies at 10th, 11th 12th 16th & 18th on back nine [25pts] for an overall winning score of 42pts.

In second place, displaying his new putting technique but falling just just one point short, was Stephen Walsh [15] who, counting 20pts on front nine, pushed for the finish line with a birdie at 11th, returning a courageous 21pts on back nine. In third place was the ever present Paddy Hannigan [9]. Paddy’s birdie at 3rd was ‘blanked” at 8th but his birdie at 12th gave him a back nine of just one over par gross 37 [21pts] and an overall 40pts.

 Gross winner again was that man “in form” Jamie Foley [3] with yet another 36 gross points. Jamie’s only blemish on back nine was a bogey at 11th followed by birdies at 12th, 15th and 18th. Special mention of congratulations to Vincent Mc Glynn [9] who recorded a “hole-in-one” at the par three 16th playing his handicap iron, a “9”.

Sunday 16th confined competition was won by Eugene O’ Donnell [13] with 39pts. Eugene followed his “blank” at 3rd with a birdie at 4th for a front nine 20pts and another birdie at the final hole, par five 18th, saw him pip runner-up Shane Blake [6] by one point. With birdies at 3rd, 4th and 7th, Shane was in the “driving” seat but a surprising mediocre 17pts on back nine left him short.

In third place and making a welcome return to the podium was the long hitting Michael Collum [8]. Michael, having missed most of this season through injury, displayed his usual skillful short game when, following a double bogey at 6th, responded with a birdie at 7th and a back nine of 19pts to finish with a competitive 37pt. Gross was won by Darragh Mc Menamin [5] whose birdies at 1st and 7th gave him 32 gross points.

The club are pleased to host a Gents & Ladies Singles Open S/F Competition on Friday 21st August in aid of one of Letterkenny’s oldest and most iconic buildings, Conwal Parish Church.
entry: €10e members; €15e visitors; prizes for each category: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & surprise prizes throughout!

Congratulations to the club’s “Seniors” team [over 50’s]led by the intrepid Kevin Kiely, who have reached the final of that competition by defeating a spirited Ballybofey/Stranorlar team over two legs in the semi’s. Letterkenny will now meet old adversaries Rosapenna GC in the final, date yet to be arranged.

Commiserations from all club Senior and Junior members to Juvenile convenor Catherine Cooke-Harkin on the sudden passing of her father in Athenry, Co. Galway on Monday last.

Dates for the Diary: Friday 21st: Ladies & Gents Singles Open [in aid of Conwal Parish Church]; Saturday 29th: Michael Murphy Sports sponsored Open;