Tullamore Golf Club Notes

The winner of the Intermediate Scratch Cup sponsored by Competition Secretary, Michael Hannon, and his company LIR Fire Protection on Sunday last was Catch Grogan (12) with a gross score of 77. In 2nd place was Aidan Moyles (13) just one shot behind on 78. 3rd prize went to Portumna member Christy Purcell (11) with 79. The net prizes went to Edward Buggy (15) with 67 and 2nd was Ray Digan (13) with 68. Having regard to the weather on Sunday, it was a testament to the course that the competition could be run at all. Fair dues to Gerry McMahon, Opens' Secretary, who gave up a trip to Croke Park to see his county Tipperary in the All-Ireland in order to run the Open competition on Sunday. Next Saturday & Sunday 13th & 14th the Condron Concrete sponsored singles takes place and this is a golfer of the year competition. There will also be a singles competition on Sunday 20th but due to the Cups & Shields finals this will not be played on Saturday as is usual with singles competitions. The Open singles on Monday 31st August was won by Ronan O'Grady (3) with 40 pts. 2nd and 3rd went to David Healy (8) Oughterard with 39 pts and Anthony Mulhall (6) Waterford with 38 pts. In the Open day on Friday 4th Eddie McCormack (+1) Galway had 39 pts. 2nd went to John Craven (16) Loughrea with 36 pts. Tullamore's own Dave Hughes (5) took 3rd prize with 35 pts. Members who hope to be considered for teams in GUI competitions next year are reminded to ensure that they have four qualifying competitions played before the end of the singles competitions. Inter Club Competitions Tullamore are on their way to Woodenbridge Golf Club for the All-Ireland Finals of the J B Carr competition following their success in winning the Leinster final when they defeated Royal Tara in the two-leg event. The winning pairings in Tara were Eamon Buggy & JJ O'Neill; Pat Corcoran & Matt Flannelly and the old reliables Tom Walsh & Mick Gillespie. Johnny Flaherty & Frank Monaghan were called in and Tom Heery and John Hopkins were sent for a very early shower by the Meath men. The other finalists are Tralee, who defeated Tullamore in the final last year, five time winners Galway and Ballymena. The finals take place on the 19th & 20th September and it is a pity that they clash with the last day of the Cups & Shields finals. Club Match-Play The final of the Byrne, Casey and Associates foursomes competition took place on Saturday last with Noel Mannion & Ollie Spollen getting the better of Tom Corroon and Dave Lawlor. In the low handicap section of the Bank of Ireland singles Ray O'Hagan was triumphant over Seamus Murray. The final of the Sam Nayagam sponsored Scratch match-play saw two of the best golfers in the Club do battle and it was a case of "youth" in the name of Stuart Grehan winning over the more experienced Eoin Marsden in a game where the golf was of a very high standard. In the mixed foursomes Tom Martin & Una Marsden have reached the final when they again very narrowly overcame Sean Flanagan & Loretta Flynn with the match once again going to the last hole. They await the outcome of the other semi-final. All Ireland Cups & Shields Finals Just a reminder to all members that the course will be closed for play continually from Monday morning 14th September until about 3pm on Saturday 19th because of the All-Ireland finals of Bulmers sponsored Cups & Shields. Members intending to play golf during that week are advised to collect their clubs and other equipment from the clubhouse before Monday morning (14th September) as there will be no access for cars to the car park from Sunday night. For those who want a game of golf over that week there are Open days in almost all the surrounding clubs and details of these are posted on the Notice-board in the clubhouse as well as details of Clubs that will give a concession rate to Tullamore members during that week when the course is closed. Junior Golf In the Junior match play Martin Hynes defeated Philip McCarthy and Shane Daly defeated Cathal Daly and they now meet in the first semi final. In the other half of the draw Ted Nyhan has had a very easy passage through and he meets John Dunne Jnr who won against Conor Daly