What a dry golf course we have in New Ross? After the torrential rains of Wednesday, golf the following day looked unlikely, but we woke up on Thursday morning with the sun shining, and it was all systems go for our weekly outing. We had a big turnout for what was our final competition for 2025 with all hoping to win a prize for Christmas.
As usual competition was mustard keen, with once again only single points and count-backs separating the first four teams home.
Taking the honours in first place were Ger Freyne, Billy Redmond, Pat Traynor and Les Jastrebski with 77 points. Second came a three-person team composed of Paul Whelan, Seán O’Neill and Aidan Wallace, the trio bringing in 77 points (71+6).
Third on 76 points were Denis Kirwan, Willie Wallace, Patsy Farrell, and Peter Aldridge. Fourth place with 75 points went to Mikey Lee, Willie Whitty, Steve Travis and Jamesie Murphy.
Collection of the entry fees has lapsed in recent weeks and a reminder to captains of teams, please ensure that the entry fee of €3 for each team member is put in the envelope provided for the purpose. Of late, monies are being left on the table with no identity as to whom they came from.
We now take a break until Thursday, January 9, 2025. In the meantime, our new handicap committee of Mossy Ryan, Denis Kirwan, Pat Phelan and Art Ward will convene and any new rules and regulations they recommend will be in vogue for the 9th.
The Seniors group wish all players a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a bright golfing New Year in 2025
WEXFORD LADIES
A few hardy ladies took to the fairways today for the three-person team competition on Monday, December 9. Congrats to Ber, Eileen and Marguerite on taking top spot.
Monday, December 9, ladies’ team event, 14-hole stableford: 1, Eileen Casey (32), Bernadette Boland (17), Marguerite Murphy (19), 48 points.
The course made a remarkable recovery in the space of a few days which made for much more pleasant conditions for the weekly Thursday ladies’ stableford competitions. Congrats and very well done to Madge and the others in the prizes.
Saturday, December 7, and Thursday, December 12, ladies’ winter 14-hole stableford: 1, Madge Murphy (18), 29 points; 2, Helen McGuire (17), 27 points; 3, Margaret Atkinson (9), 24 points; nine-hole, Cathriona Walsh (5), 17 points.
Our Christmas party night was a resounding success. There was a great attendance and all enjoyed the superb fare served with the customary pleasant efficiency of the entire team at Slice.
A special word of thanks to Tom for stepping in at short notice and providing great entertainment and lively music, which ensured the dancefloor was never empty! It is rumoured that some of the ladies got in many times more steps on the night than they would in a week’s golf!
Please remember to get your tickets for the New Year’s Raffle from any committee member. Your support will be greatly appreciated and you will be in with a chance to win some coveted prizes.
We would like to wish all our members a very happy and healthy Christmas and all the best for 2025.
We had some very special visitors to the clubhouse on Sunday, December 15. Santa, Mrs Claus and a troupe of elves arrived to meet and greet almost 50 little ones who were beyond excited to meet the big man. The excitement levels were at fever pitch and Santa was very good to spend some time with all the families and to have a small gift for all the children.
We were lucky again with the dry weather and good course conditions for our Monday ladies’ competition. Congrats to Helen on going one better than on Thursday to secure the win. Well done also to Pauline and Carmel on their second and third placings, respectively.
Monday, December 16, ladies’ 14-hole stableford: 1, Helen McGuire (17), 29 points; 2, Pauline O’Neill (23), 25 points; 3, Carmel Murphy (10), 25 points.
Congrats to Triona on her win in this week’s 14-hole stableford competition. She doubled up with a ‘nearest the pin’ prize as well! Well done also to Ger on her second place finish.
Saturday, December 14 and Thursday, December 19 ladies’ winter 14-hole stableford: 1, Triona Hogan (8), 27 points; 2, Geraldine Broaders (17), 24 points.
Bunclody
Wednesday, December 11, ladies’ and gents 12-hole open singles stableford: 1, Liam Scott (15), 30 points; 2, Kevin Brady (13), 28 points, back six; best lady, Louise Roe (13), 21 points.
Wednesday, December 18, ladies’ and gents 18-hole open singles stableford: Category 1, 1, Paul Connolly (1), 39 points; Category 2, 1, Michael Egan (21), 36 points, back six.
Coollattin
Wednesday, December 11, open men’s singles stableford 11-hole competition: 1, Richard Murphy (9), 26 points, countback; 2, Neil Fitzgerald (21), 26 points, countback; 3, John G. Doyle (19), 26 points.
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, open men’s singles V-par 14-hole competition: Category 1, Larry Behan (6), 2-up; Category 2, Tony Egan (11), 4-up, countback; Category 3, Packie Gorman (22), 5-up; Category 4, Stephen Shannon (34), 4-up.
Wednesday, December 18, open men’s singles stableford nine-hole competition: 1, Hugh Kane (28), 23 points.
St. Helen’s Bay
Our captains’ drinks and annual prizegiving took place on Saturday, December 14. There was a great turnout to welcome our new captains Dermot Walsh and Anna Marie Murphy.
Captain Michael Cooney presented Captain Dermot with his jacket and President Tommy presented Lady Captain Anna Marie with hers. Congratulations to our new captains. Congratulations also to our outgoing captains Michael and Sonya on a fantastic year. The presentation of end of year prizes and the Winter League Best of Series also took place.
The winners are: Golfer of the year, joint-winners, Collette Mellon and Ann Byrne; silver medal, Collette Mellon; bronze medal, Janet Slattery; ladies’ singles matchplay, winner, Cathy Dalton, runner-up, Niamh Hogan; ladies’ greensomes, winners, Cathy Dalton and Eileen Walsh, runners-up, Ann Byrne and Susan Fitzgerald; mixed greensomes, winners Niamh Hogan and Andrew Lehane; runners-up, Georgina Darling and Martin Codd; birdie tree, Janet Slattery (12 birdies); ring competition, winner, Janet Slattery, runner-up, Anna Marie Murphy
The Winter League Winners are: best four rounds of the series, 1, Ann Byrne; 2, Emer O’Shaughnessy; 3, Georgina Darling. The winner of the Eclectics (most stableford points scored on each hole), Emer O’Shaughnessy.
Saturday, December 14, Winter League final round: 1, Emer O’Shaughnessy, 27 points (23); 2, Collette Mellon, 25 points (9); 3, Georgina Darling, 24 points (16).
Merry Christmas and a great golfing 2025 to all our members and friends.
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy Golf Club’s Men Club held their annual meeting recently with Captain Ed Doyle welcoming a large attendance. Eddie recounted the year and said he was very proud to be captain and was very grateful to John Delaney for affording him the opportunity. He then went on to thank the various committees and members for all their help during the year.
It was then time for the changing of the guard with the following elected for 2025: President, Dave Keane; Vice-President, Jack Murphy; Captain, James Gahan; Vice-Captain, Larry O’Connor; Secretary, Will Griffith; Treasurer, Michael Cowman; Competition Secretary, John T. Delaney; Handicap Secretary, Maurice Nolan; PRO, John Cullen.
Thursday, December 12, end of year senior competition: 1, Ian Ward (8), 25 points; 2, Patrick J. O’Connor (9), 23 points; 3, Martin Moran (14), 23 points; 4, Jim Gahan (10), 22 points.
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, two-person champagne scramble: 1, Peter Jordan (8) and Jim Gahan (13), 70 points; 2, Paddy Hore (9) and Michael Cowman (14), 65 points, back nine; 3, Jim Gahan (13) and Will Griffith (8), 65 points.
There is an excellent range of open competitions scheduled for the Christmas period as follows: Thursday, December 26, four-person champagne scramble, Friday, December 27, women’s and men’s singles; Saturday, December 28 and Sunday, December 29, Florida (step-a-side) scramble (any combination); Monday, December 30, women’s and men’s singles; Tuesday, December 31, four-person champagne scramble; Wednesday, January 1, Texas scramble (any combination).
Enniscorthy Golf Club wish you all good health and happiness for Christmas and the new year.
BALLYMONEY
Sunday, December 8, gents singles stableford nine-hole (on back nine) open: Back nine only open due to conditions after the Storm of Friday night. Non-qualifier. 1, Ollie Hughes, 20 points; 2, Kevin Byrne, 20 points; 3, Michael Joseph Sweeney, 19 points, holding off John Morris, Richie Kinsella and Mick Mason on countback.
Wednesday, December 11, nine-hole competition, gents open, non-qualifier (front nine): 1, Johnny Murray, 22 points; 2, Anthony G. Doyle, 22 points; 3, Terry O Connor, 22 points, holding off Sammy Walker on countback.
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, gents singles stableford, 12-hole open, non-qualifier: Division 1, Conor Cuddihy, 22 points; Division 2, Aaron Meade, 28 points; Division 3, Anthony G. Doyle, 28 points; Division 4, Shane Finnerty, 29 points.
Wednesday, December 18, nine-hole competition, gents open, non-qualifier: 1, Stephen Kenna, 23 points; 2, John Farrell, 22 points; 3, Thomas Meade, 21 points.
All at Ballymoney Golf Club would like to wish readers a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year.
ROSSLARE LADIES
Well done to Brigid Lalor on her win last week in our last competition before Christmas. Donna Franzis was the Burrow winner, well done.
Sunday, December 15 and Tuessday, December 17, 12-hole singles: 1, Brigid Lalor (24), 24 points (back nine); 2, Eileen Jackson (21), 24 points.
Sunday, December 15, 12-hole singles, Burrow result: 1, Donna Franzis (34), 22 points; 2, Teresa Conway (15), 21 points.
Saturday, December 21, ladies’ 12-hole open fourball: 1, Stephanie Glynn (13), Val Mernagh (9), 29 points.
The Winter League is now open for booking. It will begin on January 18/19 and ends with finals on March 8/9. Note also that mats will be compulsory on the fairways (main course) from January 2, 2025.
Date for your diary: Captains Boyd and Karen’s drive-in on January 1, 2025, at 2.30 p.m. All welcome. There will be a team of four competition, with a shotgun start at 9.45 a.m., also a Junior putting competition at 11.30, followed by lunch and Captains’ drive-in at 2.30 p.m. We are looking forward to a great start to the new year, and hope to see everyone there.
Keep up to date with news, results and photographs on our website (www.rosslaregolf.com) and on social media. Happy Christmas to all and best wishes for 2025.
New Ross
Wednesday, December 18, ladies’ three-person 14-hole Christmas scramble competition: 1, Elsie Redmond, Peggy Hill, Marguerite Sutton, 52.6 points; 2, Carole Murphy, Aisling Wall, Anne Power, 53.1 pts)
Wednesday, December 18, Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22, men’s 14-hole singles stableford: 1, Thomas Tyler (19), 33 points; 2, Brendan P. Murphy (17), 32 points; gross, Jim Byrne (11), 23 points; Category 1, Peter Whelan (9), 30 points; Category 2, Ray Connolly (14), 31 points; Category 3, Pat Doyle, Captain (19), 32 points); Category 4, Tony Tubritt (23), 32 points.
Well done to all our winners.
Christmas Classic: The classic will run from December 23 to January 5, 2025. It is run as a four-person team event and is open to everyone.
WEXFORD
Saturday, December 14, gents singles 14-hole strokes: 1, Tom O’Gorman (15), 50 strokes; 2, Gerard Thomas (7), 53 strokes, back nine; 3, Donnie O’Brien (13), 53 strokes; gross, Richard O’Browne, 61 strokes.
Sunday, December 15, gents singles 14-hole stableford: 1, Cian Moran (7), 32 points; 2, Colin Edwards (7), 31 points, back nine; 3, Ray Heffernan (10), 31 points; 4, John French (8), 30 points, back nine; vets., Ted Mangan (17), 28 points, back nine.
Tuesday, December 17, gents seniors scramble: 1, Michael Browne, Declan Brennan, Tom Bolger and Peter Stafford (14.3), 45.7 strokes; 2, Noel Martin, Bernard Ruttledge, Terry Lyons and Des O’Neill (12.7), 46.3 strokes.
Events for next week: Friday, December 27, three-person team event, 14 holes; Saturday, December 28, gents singles, 14 holes; Sunday, December 29, gents singles, 14 holes; Tuesday, December 31, gents seniors; Wednesday, January 1, open fourball ladies’ and gents, 14 holes.