The poor weather has played havoc with golf of late making it very difficult to go out and play and making conditions very tough for the brave few who did attempt it! Hopefully the weather will improve soon and golf can take precedence for people again!

The results of the weekly competitions are as follows:

Monthly Medal Strokeplay competition 22nd and 25th April 2012

1st Niamh Bolger (30) 70net – its great to see Niamh playing and hopefully it will be the first of many competitions she will take part in over the summer months.

18H Stableford Competition 29th April and 2nd May 2012

1st Nora Barron (13) 31pts

2nd Eileen Walsh (21) 30pts

18H Stableford Competition Sat 5th and Weds 9th May 2012

1st Judy Dick (21) 33pts (cb)

2nd Rachel Dick (36) 33pts (cb)

Very well done to Rachel on featuring for the first time in the prizes – if she’s anything like her big sister Judy it will be the first of many!

Finally, the Ladies Junior Foursomes team played Blessington Lakes in Baltinglass today 9th May. The weather stayed dry although it was cold but unfortunately Blessington Lakes proved too difficult to overcome on a course they are much more familiar with. The team were Deirdre Mc Cabe (16) and Ger Hickey (21), Hilary Dick (19) and Judy Dick (21), Ann Farrell (19) and Catherine O’Driscoll (23). Deirdre and Ger lost on the 16th, Hilary and Judy won on the 16th and despite some brilliant golf and a fantastic putt from Ann that barely lipped the hole, Ann and Catherine lost on the 18th. Very well done to all involved, it is a tough course and tough opposition and the team gave them a great match.

Men’s 18 Hole Singles Stableford – 29th April 2012

Members Singles – David McEvoy (15) took advantage of calmer conditions on Saturday to take victory in this weekends’ competition. David scored 39 points over the 18 holes while competitors on Sunday experience deteriorating weather conditions. Scoring proved difficult on Sunday with winds increasing through the morning – this resulted in few points being scored on the closing holes. Michael Grogan (10) took second place with 34 points on a countback from Ian Morrissey (15). Next weekend an Open 18 Hole Singles will take place on Saturday 5th and Monday 7th May while racing takes place in Gowran Park on Sunday 6th May.

Men’s Inter Club Matchplay

Gowran Park suffered another 1st round exit on Saturday last in the Provincial Towns Cup match. Mountain View proved too strong on the day, securing a comprehensive victory over Gowran. Gearoid Kennedy, junior captain 2012 however played great golf to secure victory in his match over his opponent.

The J.B.Carr Team managed by Sean Kiely are in action against Kilkenny this week and hopeful to change current form to progress to the 2nd round.

Ladies 18 Hole Stroke Play 25th April, 2012

1st – Niamh Bolger (30) 70 nett

Ladies Interclub Matchplay

Congratulations to our Challenge Team Eithne Donnelly, Brigid Mullins, Mary Purcell. Mary Harding, Fionnuala Hennebry and manager Eileen Tobin who had a great win (31/2 matches) against Faithlegg in Callan last Monday. Thank you to all the caddies and supporters.

Juniors

Junior Matchplay qualifier Sat 5th May at 4pm, entry fee €5, all those with handicap are eligible to enter. Also on Sat 5th May at 4pm trial for anyone interested in under 15 boys inter-club team.

Junior Membership is available for 2012 for Boys and Girls – Subsidised weekly summer coaching programme beginning in June. Weekly 18 hole competitions for junior members with handicap and 9 hole for junior members with no handicap on Monday’s, starting in June.

Girls n’ Golf Programme – Introduction to golf for girls (10 – 14 years) starts on Saturday12th May at 4pm – only 20 place available for 10 sessions for €20 – contact Hilary 087 687 7244 for application form by Friday 4th May, 2012.

Fixtures

Thursday 3rd May Weekly Open Singles Stableford
Sunday 6th May RACING MEETING – no golf
Saturday 5th May & Monday 7th May Bank Holiday – Open Singles Stableford
Tuesday 8th May Seniors Open Singles
Sunday 13th May Open Fourball

Members Monthly Medal – Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd April

This weekend saw a members 18 hole stroke competition take place. A large entry over the weekend resulted in a great win for Dan Stallard (6) shooting a 68 nett, pipping Niall Treacy (12) into the runner-up spot on a countback. Brian Blanchfield (14) took 3rd place shooting a nett score of 70 also on a countback. Golfer of the Year points were available for this weekends competition and with 2 rounds already played scores are close at the top of the table.

Club Singles and Matchplay

The draw for these competitions was made recently and full listings are now posted on the club notice board. Phone numbers are available for all participants and with this in mind it is hoped to have all first round matches run off before the 20th May for the Singles and 27th May for the Fourball.

Inter-Club Matches

The Towns Cup are busy preparing for their upcoming encounter with neighbouring club, Mountain View. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday next 28th April and with 4 matches at home out of 9 Gowran have a tough test ahead of them.

Thursday Weekly Open Singles

There was a large entry in our popular Weekly Open Singles on Thursday last 19th April. This popular event attracted entries from Enniscorthy, New Ross, Kilkenny, Callan, Carlow and Rosslare which made for a very competitive competition. Kilkenny member Robert Delaney (14) proved too strong for the field scoring 39 pts while Derek Flynn (10) from Mountain View took the runner-up spot 1 shot further back. The competition continues this Thursday and every Thursday for the summer months with a timesheet available at ( 056 7726699. Participants are reminded that there are weekly prizes.

Members Information Night

Captain Joe Farrell and Lady Captain Anne Mullins welcomed a large number of new and recent members to a Rules & Information night on Tuesday last. The evening proved to be a huge success with special thanks to Matty Byrne Jnr for co-ordinating this very informative evening concerning all aspects of the basic rules of golf. Thanks also to our resident caterer Bernie of Bia Blasta for providing tea and sandwiches, which were very welcome after the visit to the golf course! It is hoped to have another of these evenings at a later date to facilitate those who could not make it on the night.

Ladies

18 Hole Stableford – Wednesday 18th April 2012

1st Gay Latchford (29) 34 pts

Junior Cup

Congratulations to our Junior Cup team, managed by Kerri Bolger, on their win 3/2 against Portarlington in Athy last Monday.

Juniors

Girls ‘n’ Golf Programme – Gowran Park and Junior Golf Ireland are running a 10 week introduction to golf programme for girls starting in May. 20 places only available for girls aged 10 – 14 who are non-members €20.00 for 10 sessions. Last day for applications is Friday 27th April 2012 – contact Hilary 087 6877244 for application form.

Junior Matchplay 2012 – qualifying round Saturday 4th May at 4.00 p.m. – open to all junior members with a Congu Handicap. If interested please add your name to list on Junior notice board.

Fixtures

Thursday 26th April Open Singles Stableford
Saturday 28th/Sunday 29th April Members 18 Hole Singles
Sunday 6th May RACING
Saturday 5th May & Monday 7th May Bank Holiday – Open Singles Stableford

The Junior Cup Team played against Portarlington in Athy Golf Club on Monday the 16th of April. It was a bitterly cold day and made for tough playing conditions with the wind factoring hugely. However the team managed to overcome the difficult conditions to win against Portarlington and proceed to the next round which is against Rathdowny and to be played in Castlecomer. The details of the team and wins are as follows:

Kate Hennessy, Sinead Kearney, Nora Barron, Ann Mullins, Deirdre Mc Cabe

Sinead, Nora and Deirdre won (2 & 1, 4 & 3, 4 & 3) – well done to all the team and to Manager Kerri Bolger for ensuring everyone practised and was there on time.

The Weekly Competition was poorly attended due to the difficult weather conditions – only 8 played (four on Sunday and four on Wednesday) so there is only first place.

The winner was Gay Latchford (29) with 34 points.

The draws for the Club Singles and Club Fourball Matchplay are now made and are posted at the club. They can be seen online for reference – Go to www.howdidido.com and select Start Sheets under my clubs…

Dan Bolger Memorial Fundraiser for Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team – April 9th 2012

There was a great turnout for the Dan Bolger Memorial Fundraiser open competition played in teams of 2 – best score to count at each hole. The handicap limits were 20 for men and 30 for ladies. Despite the bad weather and miserable forecast, there was a good turnout and a total of €1,700.00 was raised for the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team which Kerri Bolger will present to them shortly.

The winners John Barcoe and Martin Donohoe turned with 20 points and then shot a fantastic 26 points with John contributing 22 points on the back 9 to secure 1st place over Deirdre McCabe and Jerry O’Dwyer who had 24 points on the back 9 with a scratch on the 12th! Full results as follows:-

1st John Barcoe (16) & Martin Donohoe (19) (Gowran Park) 46 pts (cb)
2nd D. McCabe (Gowran Park) (16) & Jerry O’Dwyer (18) (Kilkenny) 46 pts (cb)
3rd Ger Hickey (21) & Gay Lachford (28) (Gowran Park) 46 pts (cb)
4th Hilary Dick (19) & Chris Dick (11) (Gowran Park) 45 pts (cb)
5th J. Fitzgerald (18) (Gowran Park) & J. McDermott (7) (Kilkenny) 45 pts (cb)

SCOTCH FOURSOMES

Last Sunday an Open 18 Scotch Foursomes took place. Gowran Park members featured strongly in this competition which proved very popular with all entrants. Mick Bolger (16) and John Lannon (20) took first place with a great nett score of 63 while John Colgan and Margaret Logue, Lady Vice Captain took the runner-up spot with a nett 65. Our next Sunday Open Tournament reverts back to an Open Fourball which will take place on Sunday 13th May 2012.

Inter-Club Competitions

Not a lot of luck this weekend for Gowran Park on the inter-club front. Our Duggan Cup team taking on Borris on Saturday last, lost out in the odd match in 5. Sean Kiely and Gerry Doyle were unlucky to be beaten on the 18th in the deciding match.

The Barton Cup team also sufferd a first round defeat to Waterford on Sunday afternoon.

Practice is ongoing with the remaining teams which include the Towns Cup to take on Mountain View Golf Club at the end of April along with the J.B. Carr, Pierce Purcell and Jimmy Bruen teams.

Ladies 18 Hole Stableford – 11th April 2012

1st Judy Dick (21) 36 pts (cb)
2nd Shauna Scannell (18) 36 pts

Best of luck to our Challenge Team who are playing Faithlegg in Callan on Monday 23rd April 2012.

JUNIOR GOLF

Junior – 18 Hole Stableford – 11th April 2012

1st. Philip Dreeling (13) 40 pts (cb)
2nd Sean Roche (16) 40 pts
3rd Sean Carey (150 37 pts

Junior – 9 Hole Stableford – 11th April 2012

1st Bill Whelan 18 pts
2nd Mackenzie Davin 16 pts

Fred Daly Trophy

The Fred Daly Qualifier for junior golfers was held in Gowran Park Golf Club on Friday last, with 11 clubs from the South East taking part. Despite having a very young team and playing off scratch the Gowran Park team continues to improve each year in this competition and recorded a total team score of 434 points. The team was led by Junior Captain Gearoid Kennedy who carded a commendable gross of 81 strokes. He was ably assisted by Matt Kenny, Philip Dreeling and Sean Roche who all carded scores in the mid 80’s, while Kevin Maher, Sean Carey and Niall Treacy all contributed to a very spirited team performance.

The leading qualifiers were Enniscorthy and Courtown Golf Clubs who now progress to the Leinster play-offs.

FIXTURES

Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd April 18 Hole Singles – Stroke Play – Monthly Medal
Thursday 19th April Weekly Open Singles

There was a great turn out for the Dan Bolger Memorial Fundraiser Open Competition played in teams of two – best score to count at each hole. The handicap limits were 20 for men and 30 for ladies. Despite the bad weather and miserable forecast there was a good turnout and a total of €1700 was raised for the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team which Kerri Bolger will present to them.

The winners John & Martin turned with 20 points and then shot a fantastic 26 points with John contributing 22 points on the back nine to secure first place over Deirdre & Jerry who had 24 points in the back nine with a scratch on the twelfth!

The results of the competition are as follows:

1st John Barcoe (16) & Martin Donoghue (19) 46 pts (cb) – Gowran

2nd Deirdre Mc Cabe – Gowran (16) & Jerry O’Dwyer – Kilkenny (18) 46pts (cb)

3rd Ger Hickey (21) & Gay Latchford (28) 46pts (cb) – Gowran

4th Chris Dick (11) & Hilary Dick (19) 45 pts (cb) – Gowran

5th James McDermott (7) & James Fitzgerald (18) – 45pts (cb) – Gowran

Today was a bitterly cold day with a terrible wind which kept the scores low for anyone brave enough to venture out! Sunday’s golfers got a much nicer day and so it was no surprise that the winners came from Sunday and the top five for golfer of the year too!

Ladies 18H Stableford Results

1st Eithne Donnelly (32) 36pts

2nd Mary Purcell (35) 35pts

There was no winner in the two’s club so the money will carry over to next week.

Remember to enter into the Eclectic after putting in your score if you are participating in it.

The fine weather made this a particularly enjoyable week to play golf with great numbers playing in this months strokeplay competition. The results are as follows:

1st Kate Hennessy (10) 72 (cb)

2nd Eithne Donnelly (32) 72 (cb)

3rd Kathleen Whitehead (26) 73

The minor team played in Kilkenny golf club on Monday against Callan but were defeated by a stronger team. The matches were played in great spirit and it was an enjoyable, although disappointing day. Well done to all the ladies involved and to Niamh Connolly for managing the team and looking after them on the day.

MONTHLY MEDAL:

The first of the members monthly competitons took place on Sunday last. Playing off the blue tees, scoring was quite impressive with Lee Graham (9) taking top spot with a nett 67, second place went to Enda Cleere (5) 1 shot further back with a nett 68 while Niall Treacy (12) took 3rd place with a nett 70.

Next weekend sees an 18 hole singles competition for members while our popular 9 hole weekly competition commences on Wednesday 4th April.

SPRING SERIES FINAL:

The final round of qualifiers took place last week with another large entry taking place. Rathdowney members Lar Ryan (6) took the leading qualifying spot with a great score of 44 points. Other qualifiers on the day were Willie Grace (5) Mountain View with 40 points along with Mark O’Mahoney (9) New Ross with 38 points. The final takes place this Friday with a shotgun start at 11.00 a.m. All competitors from the qualifying rounds which commenced last January have been contacted and are asked to register on site in the golf office from 10.30 a.m.

LADIES:

It’s that time of year again and our ladies teams are back in action. The Ladies Minor Team play Callan in Kilkenny on Monday 26th March. The Ladies Intermediate Team are heading to Mount Wolseley on Friday 30th March to play Cill Dara and the Mixed Foursomes are out on Sunday 1st April against Mount Juliet. Best of luck to all involved

Wednesday 21st March – 18 Hole Stableford

1st Eileen Walsh (20) 38pts
2nd Eithne Donnelly (32) 37pts (cb)

JUNIORS:

Competitions for junior golfers will take place on Tuesday 3rd April with an 18 hole singles for all juniors with a full handicap at 10.30 a.m. There will be a 9 hole competition at 12.30 p.m. for all juniors without a full handicap as well as beginners. Both competitions are open to boys and girls. Coaching will be available from Tuesday to Thursday inclusive with extra coaching available for all members of the Fred Daly panel. All juniors are reminded that the Fred Daly Trophy qualifier takes place in Gowran Park on Friday 13th April.

OPEN FIXTURES:

Thursday 29th March – Open Singles – Visitors €20.00, Members €5.00
Holy Thursday 5th April – Open Singles – Visitors €20.00, Members €5.00
Monday 9th April – Open 2 Person Team Event – Visitors €20.00, Members €10.00 (proceeds in aid of Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team – in memory of Dan Bolger).
Tuesday 10th April – Seniors Open Singles – Visitors €15.00 Members €5.00