Congratulations to Martin Kelly [19] winner of the prestigious Silver Tassie Hotel sponsored Letterkenny Hospital Cancer Care Unit Open played at Letterkenny Golf Club on Friday last.
The first prize was an all expenses paid golf and accommodation to play the famous Kingsbarn Course at the Home of Golf, St. Andrews in Scotland.
With birdies at 1st and par three 5th followed by an unfortunate triple bogey at 6th, Martin’s front nine of 22pts was enough of a “launch pad” to allow him to iron out his scores to the winners’ enclosure with a three point margin over runner-up Greg Sullivan [18] who, despite a double bogey at 1st followed by a “blank” at 3rd, showed his mastery of concentration over the next nine holes to record 24pts ’till another unfortunate “blank” at par three 16th halted his possible winning run to finish on 40pts.
Photo caption:Â Mr. Ciaran Blaney, proprietor, Silver Tassie Hotel, [sponsor]presenting the first prize of the Letterkenny Hospital Cancer Care Unit Charity Open competition played at Letterkenny Golf Club on Friday last to winner Martin Kelly. Also pictured, l-r; Margo Birmingham, Lady Captain, Letterkenny Golf Club, Michael Mc Elhinney [3rd], Greg Sullivan [2nd] Marion O’ Sullivan [1st Ladies] & Vera Mc Fadden [3rd Ladies]
Greg’s prize was, again, an all expenses paid golf and accommodation trip to one of Ireland’s top golf courses, The Island course in Cork. In third place was Michael Mc Elhinney [17] who, returning 21pts on back nine to finish with 37pts, pipped 4th placed Eamonn Davis [12] on B.O.T., Eamonn no doubt losing out with that double bogey at 17th. The Lady entrants were also well catered for with a special category set aside for them and winning the fabulous “spa package” was Marion O’ Sullivan with 35pts.
In runner-up spot was Karen Mc Glinchey on 33pts whilst the “surprise” prizes were won by :Â Nearest the Pin:Â Gents – Declan Martin;Â Ladies – Anne Cannon;Â Longest Drive:Â Gents – Johnny Sweeney;Â Ladies – Anne Cannon.
Many thanks and congratulations to Martina, Sales & Marketing, Silver Tassie Hotel and to Ciaran & Rose Blaney for their wonderful sponsorship and dedication to this most necessary charity cause.
Monday 20th once again saw a good turnout for our most budding juniors and taking top spot last week was a young lad whom I had spoken off recently, Lee Walsh. With school exams over, Lee’s practice time is being put to good use and, as his scorecard testifies, with no double bogeys or more on back nine, his return of 24pts helped to accumulate an overall 46pts! In runner-up spot was Ronan Daley with 38pts who pipped Tom Doherty on B.O.T., also with 38pts.
Wednesday 22nd Open, sponsored by Inishowen Motors/Kia, Letterkenny, saw the Cat 3 handicappers come to the fore and taking top spot was visitor Matthew Smyth [16] who, with the help of birdies at 10th and 18th, returned 22pts. & 23pts over front and back nines for a total of 45pts to pip runner-up and club competition stalwart Tim O’ Farrell [17].
With the help of a birdie at par five 2nd, Tim’s outward nine of 25pts seemed like an unassailable lead but a few weak putts on back nine saw him lose out eventually by one point, Tim returning 44pts. In third place was Michael Shiel [23] who, with a front nine of 23pts and a birdie recorded at par five 11th, looked all set for his first win of the season also but a “nasty” blank at par three 16th had him lose out also.
In fourth position was Patrick Page [15] whose front nine of 22pts was gained with the help of an eagle two at par four 4th hole, but even his birdie at par three 16th was not enough to win. Gross prize was won by Jack Patton [4] whose 34 gross pts. consisted of birdies at 7th, 16th & 18th, retrieving some of the points lost from that “blank” at 15th and bogey at 17th.
Saturday 25th Mc Gettigan’s Bar Open was won by junior member Evan Mc Croary [15] with a great return of 42pts. Despite a distracting treble bogey at 1st and a few “minor” mishaps, Evan’s back nine of only three over par gross 39 shots was enough to outpoint Michael O’ Malley [12] who, following his birdie at 3rd with an unfortunate double bogey at 4th for 21pts on outward nine, relegated third placed Brian Neely [14] by virtue of B.O.T., with Brian’s scoring highlight being his birdie at the index one hole par four 6th!
Unfortunately, his “blank” at 18th had him lose out on a higher position. Picking up Gross on this occasion was Jamie Foley [3] who, with birdies at 3rd, 11th, 14th & 17th, returned 35 gross points.
Congratulations to the club’s U16 team who qualified to the next round by defeating a very strong visiting Donegal Golf Club team on Saturday last.
Congratulations to Letterkenny Golf Club member Brendan McGrath on winning the Donegal section of the Irish Singles Matchplay competition played at Narin & Portnoo Golf Club yesterday. Brendan now plays in the  All-Ireland finals in the prestigious Carton House GC in October, which will be televised. Best of luck, Brendan.
Best of luck from all club members to Jamie Foley who heads off in October also on a wonderful experience to Fort Lauderdale, U.S.A. to work in a prestigious golf resort. Jamie was selected from thousands of applicants for the job. Congratulations Jamie.
Dates for the Diary: Saturday 1st August will see the Highland Radio sponsored Open while on Saturday 2nd we will have the club’s Lady Captain’s  [Margo Birmingham] Gents’ prize. On Monday 3rd, August Bank Holiday, the club will host the 3rd Annual Charity Open Singles Stableford competition in aid of the Friends of St. Luke’s Hospital, with prizes of 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Gross being available for both Ladies & Gents. Entry fee is €10 [members]and €15 [visitors].
