Feast of Golf: Yes, at Dungarvan Golf Club we had a wonderful Christmas, thanks in no small measure to the dry weather which ensured that the course was busy every day. After the success of the Ben O’ Neill sponsored Lions Club Appeal weekend, thanks to all the players who entered over several days, we had a week of Open Competitions to attract visitors and members. John Reynolds stole the festive seasonal show, winning prizes on several days; his highlight was on Sunday when he scored 39 points off scratch. He was seven under par for the sixteen holes, thanks to his eagle on the 3rd, with birdies on the 6th, 9th 12th 14th and 15th. Along with ‘gross’ prizes on a couple of days, he also won the Mullinahone Fourball, with his brother-in-law Don McMahon. In this format the two Stableford scores are multiplied after each hole. John and Don ‘walked away with it’ with 76 points, including two 9-pointers, six 6-pointers and five 4-pointers – along with two blanks.
Mossie Walsh also played very good golf – off 7. He had four birdies and twelve pars for a magnificent 42 pts for sixteen holes. Fr. Flor O’ Callaghan OSA says he can’t do it with the full bag of clubs, but he had 20 pts on St Stephen’s Day with a putter and two more. Flor was the winner of the bottle of brandy, sponsored as always by John Gough. Throughout the week we had a visitor’s prize each day to recognise and encourage entry to our open competitions.

Junior Golf: David Hayes distributed a report on New Year ’s Day in which he acknowledged the support of Donal Williams, Mossie Walsh and Mick Leacy in running the affairs of our 100+ juveniles, of which 50 are active and regular golfers. Twelve of our juniors are now eligible for adult competitions, having attained a handicap of sixteen or less. David referred in his report to the fact that junior competitions are now ‘Opens’, and how we enjoy a fruitful partnership with the Gold Coast. He also thanked last year’s President, Sean Wade, for allowing juniors to participate in the President’s Prize. In his report David’s thanked the many who sponsor junior competitions, and he concluded with information on the weekly coaching sessions at a driving range in Carrick-on-Suir. It was lovely to see and hear junior members addressing the large crowd in a confident and articulate manner.

Junior winners for 2008, announced on New Year’s Day were: Jack Leacy in the E. O’ Connor Singles Matchplay; Jack Leacy in the Baumann Scratch Matchplay; Conor O’ Dwyer in the All-Rounder Trophy; Brian Looby in the Captain’s Prize; Jack Leacy in the Junior Captain’s Prize; Colm Kindregan in the Knocknagranagh Shield, and Steven O’ Connor in the Pennant Cup. Gabriel Leacy won the Order of Merit trophy, for consistent golf throughout the year.

Enright’s  Eurospar Winter League: This week sees the resumption of the league, with fifteen teams vying for eight places in the second (knockout) stage. Play starts on Thursday, with five to count over the next two weeks. For the final three weeks there will be six to count; so, captains, get your players out on the course. And, don’t forget – as some did last year – if your annual sub is not paid your score will not count for your team.

Ongoing 9-Hole Competition: Starting on Sunday next, Jan. 11th, there will be an ongoing 9-Hole competition each week, with entry and re-entry, especially for those who are better suited by the shorter track. Golfers who have neither the time nor the stamina for the full round may play the 9-Hole, and they may enter as often as they like. There will be a special box in the Men’s Locker Room, both for entry and for scorecards. Just write your name on an envelope and put in your entry fee. We hope that our members will support this competition, which will run from Sunday to Saturday each week.

DUNGARVAN GENTS RESULTS Dec/ Jan:
Mon 29th Open 16h Mullinahone 4 Ball: 1, John Reynolds (Scr) & Don McMahon (12) 76, 2. Billy Byrne (13) Podge Quigly (21) (Clonmel) 67 Gross Tom Conway (9) Nicky Norris (12) 

Tues 30th 16h Open Singles 1. Ned O’Connor (14) 37, 2. Jim Quinn (19) 36, Gross Michael Greene (1) (Gold Coast) 28

Weds 31st 16h Open S/F 1. Mossie Walsh (7) 42, 2. Donough Keane (24) (Liverpool) 39, 3. Tom Phelan (19) 37, 4. Des Cleary (12) 36

Fri 2nd: 1. Gerry Raher (14) (Gold Coast) 38, 2. Victor Mullins (18) Gross John Reynolds (Scr) 36, 3. Alan Murphy (13) (Cork) 36.

Sat 3rd 1. Pat Fitzgerald (20) 40 , 2. Victor Mullins (18) 39, Gross Dermot Walsh (3) 33, 3. Francis Power (12) 38.

Sun 4th 16h S/F 1. Donal Verling (15) 41pts, 2nd John Reynolds (Scr) 39, Gross Donal Williams (4) 31, 3. Tom Burke (10) 37

DUNGARVAN GENTS FIXTURES: Thurs 8th (Open), Sat 10th , Sun 11th Enrights Eurospar Gents Winter League & 16 S/F   

DUNGARVAN LADIES RESULTS: Tues  30th :11h S/F 1. E.Walsh (36) 24, 2. M.Hofstede (29) 24

Sat 3rd : 16h Open S/F 1. F.Kelly (27) 33, 2. I.Considine (23) 33 B8

Dungarvan Ladies Fixtures Jan 09: Sat 10th : 16h S/F, Tues 13th 11h S/F Sat 17th 16h S/F

LADIES NOTES 03/01/09: We kicked off the New Year with the Captains Drive-in, followed by a 9 hole scramble. While the day was dry, it was bitterly cold and a good representation from the ladies club braved the elements – to those who ended up in the winners enclosure, Well Done !! A special thanks to Tom, Chris and staff for the delicious finger food provided after the scramble, and to the Lady Captain Ann and husband Pat treated everybody to a New Years drink from their lotto win, a lovely gesture and much appreciated by all. Thank you both very much.

AWAY ALLIANCES: Junior Alliance – Dungarvan 12/01/09, Kilkenny  19/01/09

WINTER LEAGUE: We will be resuming our Winter League Sat/Sun 31/01-01/02/09 and Tue/Wed 03-04/02/09, to the teams who are lagging behind, this is your chance to bump up your score !!

SIXTY.COM:  Next Competition Weds 7th Jan Scramble at 1.30 p.m    

Progressive 45:  Progressive 45 recommences on the 8th January.

NEW YEARS DAY: The ceremonial drive-in by the club captains, this year including our Junior Captain for the first time, was followed by an excellent scramble over the front nine. When Ann Stack, Conor O’ Dwyer and Noel Brennan had sent three balls booming down the first, to the applause of the large gathering, the sixteen teams braved the cold and worked on an appetite for Tom Daly’s lovely fare in the bar afterwards. The occasion was graced by the inclusion of Fiona Norris from Glasgow, manager of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team, and our three captains had their own gathering of guests from among their extended families.
In wishing the large crowd a Happy New Year, Noel Brennan thanked all for coming out on a ‘brass monkey’ day. He congratulated Peter O’ Neill on his hole-in-one during the Christmas competitions and Pat Stack on winning the club lotto jackpot of €12,700 – and for buying a ‘drink for the house’. He went on to compliment the Junior officers for the great work done with the group, and for the great turnout of juniors on the day. Noel concluded by acknowledging the support of sponsors, and he spoke of the 2009 plans to spread the purchase of prizes to include as many of the sponsors as possible.

The winners of the scramble were Theresa Hayes, Denis O’ Brien, Sean Quilty and Pat Norris with a net 24²/³, followed by Kolette Enright, Ann Morrissey, Pat Terry and Jim Ryan (Kilkenny) with 26½. In third place were Maria Ryan, Gary Morrissey, Kevin Stack and Joe Lavan with 27²/³.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open at Dungarvan Golf Club . The annual subscription is 825 which includes a social levy of 100 euro which can be spent in the bar & restaurant.  Further details can be obtained from the office or an application form can be downloaded from the website.       

DUNGARVAN GOLF CLUB MINI LOTTO: Week ending 04.01.08 : WINNING NUMBERS 8, 9, 20 , 21 Winner: No Winner : 15 euro winners: Pat Fitzgerald, Anthony O’Keefe, Emer O’Kennedy, Ml. Curran, C.L.P Sheehan c/o Finnegan  
NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT  €1, 800. Next Draw  Sun 11th Jan 2009  If you’re not in you can’t win! Thank you for your support.