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First Outing of 2010

For our 1st outing of the year we went to the Portmarnock Links in North County Dublin on Good Friday, which this year fell on 2nd April. One has often heard of football matches being a game of two halves, well our visit to Portmarnock was on a day of two contrasting weather conditions.

The early starters had wind and heavy rain to contend with, those who started at the tail end of the field exposed themselves to sunburn! The weather at the beginning was so severe that some did not make it beyond the 1st or 2nd hole.

We had a huge field with over 60 participating and as one would expect with a links, it was in very good order. In such weather conditions one would expect that our competition would have been won by someone from an area that was well used to wind and rain, so it turned out that our friend Pat Butler from Kilkenny winning on 38 pts!

He was closely followed by Tom Buckley (Corrstown) on 35 pts. John Sheedy was best of those who finished on 34 pts.

The full list of prizewinners was as follows:
1st    Pat Butler ( 7)                         Kilkenny 38 pts
2nd   Tom Buckley (15)                   Corrstown 35 pts
3rd   John Sheedy (11)                   Castlewarden 34 pts
4th   Liam Coady ( 8)                      Waterford Castle 34 pts
5th   Michael Coughlan (16)           Bodenstown 34 pts
6th   John Quirke (13)                    Tuam 33 pts
Visitor     Margaret Fleming

We were a little disappointed that on finishing our round the catering facilities were less than adequate. It seems the catering staff were more interested in going home than serving their customers. This despite the fact that I had discussed our catering requirements with the club prior to our outing. Not good enough.
 

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Mountrath Outing

For our 2nd outing of the year we went to Mountrath G.C. in Co Laois on Saturday, 29th May. The morning was wet but by the time we started it had cleared up and most played in dry conditions.

The course was in very good order with the fast greens coming in for much comment. Mountrath is home to some of our members, Pat Dunphy, Alan Stephenson and Richard Maher, they very kindly provided us with a prize for our table on the day.

Over 40 members took part and it was a very enjoyable outing. Good course, good food, good company, what more does a man need!

The winner of our competition was a local, more or less, Tom Cullen (Portarlington) who finished on 44 pts, he finished just ahead of P.J. Murphy (Hollystown) who had 43 pts. The level par of Martin Darcy is worthy of mention.

If you did not have 40 pts, you did not get a prize.

The full list of prizewinners was as follows:
1st Tom Cullen (15)                         Portarlington 44 pts
2nd P.J. Murphy (18)                       Hollystown 43 pts
3rd John Harte ( 7)                          Portumna 40 pts
4th Declan Cooney (26)                   Tullamore 40 pts
5th Pat Butler ( 7)                            Kilkenny 40 pts
6th Martin Darcy ( 4)                       Tullamore 40 pts
Visitor Ann Rochford (25)               West Waterford 34 pts
 

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August Outing

On Saturday, 21st August we go to Mullingar G.C. in Co Westmeath. The course has been changed significantly since we were there several years ago.

Mullingar is well known as a superb inland course and we look forward to our visit there. It is the home course of Brendan Timlin, a long time member and supporter of our Association.

We have reserved the 1st tee from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm and the cost per person will be €45 which includes complimentary tea/coffee and scones on arrival.

For a place on the timesheet ring me on (093) 55310 or (087) 2539124.
 

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Attendance at Prizegiving

The attendance of members at our Prizegiving after outings is very much appreciated. I know it is not always possible to stay, but since the Prizegiving takes place promptly, it is not that onerous a task. Even if one plays early, by the time one has showered and eaten, most players are finished. Storing prizes and taking them to the next outing is a real pain.
If you cannot stay and think you may win a prize, please ask someone who is staying to collect your prize. Am I getting grumpy or what!


World Tournament 2010

Entry for this tournament in Florida in September is about to close. Anyone still interested in going should enter this week.
Sweaters, shirts etc
I have had a number of queries from members wanting to know about getting sweaters shirts etc. I am presently getting prices and hope to have details shortly. I will enclose an order form with the next newsletter.
I only order these items every 4 or 5 years, so the next opportunity is some years away.

European Tournament

Our lefty friends in France are thinking of having a European Tournament next year. If and when I get details I will pass them on.
If it doesn’t happen, we might organise a trip away ourselves.

Annual Subs

Most members have already paid their Annual Sub.
For those who don’t know whether they did or not, your position is as follows
Sub paid, thank you                                                      
Sub due, € 25 Euro, at your convenience, please.      