Ballinascorney Golf Club

August Medal - Men

Medal number five arrived on Friday last, only one left for 2026, it must be nearly Christmas!!!!

It was maestro Peter Boate who set the pace early on Friday. A sparkling drive down the first set up a brilliant opening par but it was the back nine where Peter really floated his vessel. Another superb drive on 10 and another superb par. He split the fairway on 11 and a majestic approach set up a two putt par. Home in a nett 33 and the target was posted at 70. On a dramatic day for the Club Steven Maxwell almost took out half the Powerscourt Best Cup team as he flew his eight iron approach through the car park! No harm done though and all the Powerscourt team made it to the first tee. Nice try though Steven!

As the rain subsided overnight and Saturday dawned bright and dry Peter enjoyed a calm breakfast, probably accepting that 70 was unlikely to keep him at the top of the leaderboard through the day. And so it proved. It was the traditional early birds that charged first. Denis Rigney fired a brilliant 72, this after playing a starring role in the Best Cup tie on Friday evening/night. Incredible Denis, Dave Rooney another Best Cup panellist matched Denis while Niall McDonnell edged them out on 71.
A newcomer to this blog, Trevor Dobbyn was the first to prove Peter correct. Again, an opening par, which he consolidated with back to back pars on 3 and 4. A birdie just escaped him on 3 when the difficult pin placement saw a lip out and a par. Trevor bookended his outward nine with a further par on nine after a smooth drive set up a sand wedge to the centre of the green and two putts for a four. Out in 34 a more sedate back nine produced a nett 35 home and Trevor was topping the pile as Saturday afternoon approached.

But there were still two powerhouses out on the course. Shane Mallen, who had come close in almost every major this season, started modestly but a typical Mallen drive on three paved the way for a par. In true Silky Shane style another par followed on 4 but a drive to within twenty yards of the bunker on 5 set up a sublime lob wedge for a tap in birdie. With his driver now imitating a JK Rowling fashioned wand Shane literally powered his way to two more pars on 8 and 9. Out in a nett 32 and the field was gasping behind him. The par fest continued on the homeward stretch and Silky Shane signed for a nett 68 and Trevors medal dream died!

But who was that other powerhouse? Well Hugh Stafford of course, who else! Hugh also waited until the third hole to start his strike for glory. Pars on 3 and 4 highlighted his outward nine but this was a slow burn. Out in 36 he had a lot of ground to make up on both Trevor and Silky Shane. His tee shot on 10 found the back of the green and two putts brought his par and the momentum was back! He reduced the new 12th to a faded drive well up the fairway, a sublime wedge and a lipped birdie putt, but another par. The dog leg was putty in his hands and yet another par emerged. A wedge on 15 found the centre of the green and another par, the leaderboard was trembling. Standing on 18 a par was needed to tie. His drive was less JK Rowling and more Arnold Scharzenegger as he almost bypassed the fairway to the end of the tree line. Another soft handed lob wedge to twelve feet brought a final hole par and Hugh was home in nett 68, beating Silky Shane on countback.

As Sunday dawned Shane and Hugh led the field but 39 men were determined to have a go. In the end it was John Fitzgerald who presented the best challenge and seven pars left him also on a nett 68. As it proved though not quite enough.

August is a funny month, strange things happen, or don’t happen depending on your viewpoint. For example, the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was first recorded in August 565, Oxygen was discovered in August 1774, the first around the World Telegram was sent in August 1911, electric Traffic Lights were first switched on in London in August 1926 and now 100 years later Hugh Stafford has won his first Ballinascorney Medal. A funny but wonderful month indeed, well done Hugh and congratulations. Tough luck Shane and John.

A special tribute is due to the members of the Best Cup team who finished the first leg of their final tie against Powersourt late on Friday evening and still turned in some brilliant scores on Saturday and Sunday. Well done lads and good luck on the 6th September.

July Medal - Ladies

The Ladies July Medal kicked off on Friday 24th last. I believe that only one of the Ladies on Friday was from Mayo, Teresa Flynn, long suffering spouse of David Kobe Flynn and forever now to be known as Mrs Kobe! However, the excitement of the coming weekend was overwhelming and Mrs Kobe could not break onto the leaderboard this time. The weekend would get better though!!

Instead, it was Vice Captain Val Carrigan who set the pace on Friday, I don’t think she is from Mayo. An early par on 3 seemed to set the tone but 7 and 8 were setbacks and Val had a lot to do at the turn. However, pars on 12, 16 and 18 brought Val home in nett 32 for a 73 overall and the early lead.
As Saturday dawned the country was awash with expectation, well Mayo was at least! Step forward Rosaleen McGarry-Lynch! Despite a difficult start Rosaleen battled to a nett 38 at the turn and took over the leaderboard. A smashing tee shot on 12 and a lob wedge to the centre left of the green set up a two putt par. Home in nett 34 and Rosaleen was the nightwatchwoman on 72.

Tuesday morning and Mayo was coming out of the biggest hangover since Cromwell contracted septicemia. It was early morning as Ladies Medal legend Therese McDonnell strode onto the first tee. A par on 2 set the scene, another on 6 and Therese was out in 35. The home journey commenced with a spectacular eight iron to the back tier of the green. Her birdie putt just settled on the lip but it was a walk off par to set her challenge in motion. As Therese’s putter went into overdrive a twenty footer across the green was drained on 16 and the leaderboard now had a McDonnell flavour. A lay up on 18 and a perfect chip brought Therese into the clubhouse with a nett 68 and the Division 1 lead ahead of Rosaleen.

However, Marian Molloy was lurking! I don’t think Marian is from Mayo. Pars on 1, 3 and 5 brought her out in a nett 33. A repeat on the way home would have clinched the medal, but Ballinascorney is not like that, of course. A difficult 11th provided a setback. With Marian’s short irons smoking hot her nine iron on 15 found the green to the right. Two putts and Therese was getting nervous. As Marian hit the ninth tee a par was needed for a nett 67. A brave drive left a long approach from the right which finished just shy of the bunker. A chip and two putts for 68 saw Therese win Division 1 on countback. Tough luck Marian.

Meanwhile, Anne Kerr was scorching around in Division 2. Pars on 6 and 9 brought Anne through the first nine in nett 34. A superb putt on 10 for a nett birdie set the tone for the back nine. A brilliant run from 15 to 17 clinched a back nine of nett 33 and an 18 hole 67.

So, the Ladies medals went to Therese and Anne, and by Tuesday evening Mrs Kobe absolutely didn’t care!
Well done Therese and Anne and congratulations to all of the Ladies that participated!

Here’s hoping the Mayo hangover is improving!!

July Medal - Men

Picture the scene in the car park at midday last Friday (24th July). As the first competitors are unpacking their kit from their cars, or are on the practice green or in the net. There were just twelve Men on the Friday sheet and there was a definite Green and Red hue around the course! I wondered why!! No sign of any Green and Gold. It seemed every group had someone from Mayo on the tee.

Clearly, the weekend diaries were being cleared. As a portent of things to come perhaps, it was David Kobe Flynn (sporting a shockingly ungolf like Green and Red cap) who attacked first and set out his expectations for the weekend.

After a tentative opening two holes his round burst into life with a brilliant tap in par on three. Kobe wanted a birdie but he calmed down eventually! A fairway splitting drive down 7 set up another par as his approach shot finished twelve feet to the right but held the green. Two putts and Kobe was smokin’! Out in nett 34 and leading the medal on the course. Another superb approach shot on 13 owed much to the prayers on Croagh Patrick on Tuesday. Two putts and another par. However, the 15th suggested that it was benediction on Tuesday. A majestic gap wedge to the back of the green left Kobe with an uphill putt, duly despatched for a superb birdie. So, home in nett 34 and the weekend target of 68 was set! Kobe was euphoric!!

As Saturday morning arrived the Green and Red hue had disappeared, I wonder where? Lots more Novenas no doubt. But it was a Jackeen that burned up the already burnt up course. Ger Redmond, veteran of many Medal and Major battles, and victories, demonstrated once again that his recent birthday was just a number! The gauntlet was thrown down early with a par on the first and on the third. A smashing drive on four with a lob wedge to the second fairway set up his approach to perfection. A superb wedge to ten feet and he drained the birdie putt. Yet another par followed on five and Ger was out in a nett 31. The home nine was a little less dramatic but an eight iron on 15 to fifteen feet almost brought another birdie but the laws of gravity didn’t work and it was a tap in par. Another brilliant drive down 16 and a seven iron to the green brought yet another par. A nett 67 for Ger and the Mayo man was put back in his place.

If Friday and Saturday were dramatic well Sunday was extra special. Definitely no Green and Red around on the Sabbath. They were either on their way to the GAA’s Mecca, squirreling some spaces at the big screens in Castlebar or Ballina or launching into more Novenas!! The scoring on Sunday was spectacular right through the field. But two men stood out, neither of them from Mayo. Vincent O’Keeffe, a man from a different golfing planet than most of us, produced yet another masterclass. Birdies on 4 and 5 together with four pars brought Vincent out in a nett 32, 36 gross. Yet another birdie followed on 11, he then reeled off six pars in succession. Vincent signed for a nett 66, a 73 gross.

But then there was Woods, Matt Woods. Also not from Mayo, as far as I know!. Matt stormed to a nett 32 on the way out. His drive on 5 found the right of the fairway. A soft wedge to the front of the green and two putts for par and now it was Matt that was smokin’. Another par on 7 and Matt was out in a nett 32. Over in Ballina Kobe hadn’t been so excited since he attended the 1951 final. Meanwhile, Matt could smell the medal. Golf perfection on 12 and 13 brought two more pars. Perfection off the 12th tee as he eased his fade around the corner. Another green found in regulation. The dogleg presented little challenge. His drive almost reached the corner and the green accepted his approach, almost with thanks. However, standing on the 18th tee a par was needed to secure the medal. Yet another fairway splitting drive and another green in regulation. Two putts needed and two putts achieved. The medal was won. At this stage Kobe couldn’t care less!!

A brilliant medal competition over the three days, some marvellous golf. In total, eighteen men scored nett level par or better.

Congratulations to Matt Woods, a brilliant round and a superb performance to clinch your first medal.

Well done to everyone who participated! A special congratulations to all of our Mayo members, enjoy the celebrations.

Ballinsacorney Trophy - Ladies

So what of the Ladies? Well they were likely watching Rory on Sky Sports on Friday because the key action in their Trophy challenge happened on Saturday. Doreen Dempsey and Val Carrigan had set the pace on Friday with 38 and 37 respectively. Walking off the 15th following yet another par Doreen was dreaming of 40+ points and another major title. Val could have had similar dreams but the 16th proved to be her Waterloo.

The challenge on Saturday morning was “hit the 40’s Ladies”. A casual observer around the car park would have spotted the signs of real preparation. Monica Flood was working hard on her soft wedge shots, Annabelle Simons was in the net driving like Leona Maguire but ominously Maureen Coughlan was stroking putts around the practice green with the putter going like a metronome fired on jet fuel.

Annabelle struck first with two three pointers on 1 and 2 and a total of 12 points coming off the 4th green. A wondrous drive down 6 was just right of the bunker but a majestic wedge and two putts brought a par and four points. The 7th proved difficult but nevertheless Annabelle found herself out in 21 points. Monica was thriving and coming on to the 8th tee at least 20 points were within her grasp. But the 8th can be unforgiving and Monica had to settle for an outward 9 of 18 points. Remember I said Maureen’s practice putting was ominous? Well, she had only one glitch on the way out on 5 and reached the turn with 19 points. The putter was on fire with nothing missed and points were being covertly gathered.

So, at the turn Annabelle was edging it from Maureen with Monica in third and still battling. Monica though turned with purpose. A brilliant six iron to 10 found the front fringe of the green. A sparkling putt across the green ascended to the second tier from the left and settled agonsingly on the lip, a tap in par it was and the race was well and truly on. Eight points were amassed through 12. Another three pointer on 15 and a blemish free run for home produced a homeward nine of 21 for a 39 point total. The target was snatched from Doreen. But Annabelle wasn’t finished either. She had settled into Nick Faldo mode and was keeping the errors off the card. A marvellous drive on 15 set up another three pointer. Annabelle glided onto the 18th with just one error on the way home and an opportunity to get to 40 points. A perfect draw down the right found the centre of the fairway. A lay up just short of the bunker lay the foundation for a brilliant three points and the outright lead. But then of course there was Maureen’s putter! Remember the car park observations? Well, that metronome was eating jet fuel. With her irons working overtime Maureen time and again found herself perfectly placed on green after green. Three pointers emerged on 12, 14, 16 and brilliantly on 17 and Maureen found herself a point clear on the last tee. Major winning nerves set in however and the trek down the last fairway was as tension filled as the English World Cup team with a 1-0 lead! Thankfully though, Maureen found herself on the green with two putts for the overnight lead, albeit on countback. The metronome duly delivered and Maureen hit 40 points, ahead due to her back nine of 21 points.

On to Sunday then. The new target was set. Who would make a run? Well, the sun was splitting the stones, yet again. AND it wasn’t raining, so Joan Keegan had a real cut as the morning evolved. A blistering start saw three points on the first hole. Further three pointers on 5, 6, 8 and 9 followed for 20 points with Joan ruing the 7th which may have cost her the title. A smashing drive down 15 left her with a long birdie putt which just lipped out. But a tap in par earned her four points and possibly a strike for glory. A hooked approach on 16 cost her a point and in the end she came home in 19 points and an overall 39.

The title was Maureen’s! A super win Maureen, well done. Runner up spot for Annabelle and Monica finished in third on countback. The gross prize went to Mary Fetherston. Well done all.

The Class prizes were won by Doreen Dempsey, Joan Keegan and Teresa Flynn (thankfully still ignoring David’s golfing advice!).

The prizes for the nines went to Rose English and Ita Ryan.

Congratulations and well done to all that participated!

Ballinascorney Trophy - Men

On Friday afternoon last in Scotland Rory McIlroy was taming the Renaissance Club and heading to -9 and a tie for the lead. However, across the Irish Sea Gerry McLawlor was completing a renaissance of his own as he tamed the Ballinascorney fairways and greens with a display that could have been written in the real Hollywood. I’m not sure Kevin Costner would have played Gerry though………too tall!

One of the first out in the first major since the Captains Prize Gerry powered to a brilliant 22 points for the outward nine. Pars on 4 and 7 and three pointers on 8 and 9 saw Gerry establish an early commanding position at the top of the leaderboard. His iron play was exceptional, clearly honed through sessions of warm weather training in Spain while his putting would not have been out of place in Scotland over the weekend. Nine points were gathered through 10, 11 and 12 and McLawlor was really staking his claim. Home in another 22 points and the lead was set at 44 for the eighteen.

He didn’t quite have it all his own way though as Brian McKelleher was also staking an early claim. A brilliant par on 2 following a fairway splitting drive and a 6 iron to the left of the green. Two putts and a simple tap in for four. But out in 19 Brian had a little ground to make up. But pars were earned on 10 and 12 and Brian also picked up nine points through 10 to 12. The 13th proved difficult but a thundering drive down 16 was followed by a pitching wedge to the back of the green. His putt for birdie lipped out but a par brought four points and the charge was on again. Two three pointers on 17 and 18, the 17th notable for a raking 15 foot putt down the green which Scotland would have been proud of. Alas it was not quite enough to manage the 25 points needed to eclipse McLawlor but he slotted into second position overnight just one point behind.

Saturday morning dawned with yet another scorching day in prospect. So where would the challenge come from? Who would make the drive to overhaul the Mc’s? Well, no one actually. Hugh Stafford gave it a decent crack although he still had a big gap to make up after an outward nine of 17. Pars on 3 and 5 were spoiled by a difficult dog leg. But the real Hugh emerged after the turn. A brilliant nine iron to 10 left the opportunity for birdie but it was a difficult putt and in the end although it was tap in par. Another par followed on 12. As he stood on the tee for the dog leg his mind raced back to the issues on the fourth hole. But this time a smashing drive left him with a pitching wedge to the green. With the green duly found his eagle putt was just a little shy but he walked off with a birdie and four points. Another par followed on 14 but more were needed and the putts just wouldn’t drop on the way in. Nevertheless, 22 points home for a total of 39 proved to be the best score of the day. So now it was over to the Sunday heathens!

Another scorching day dawned on Sunday! By this time Rory McIlroy had foundered in the Renaissance Club, but Ballinascorney’s Gerry McLawlor was still hanging in there. If Gerry was anxious over his breakfast he needn’t have been. The golf channel was not reporting any serious charges through the morning, with the notable exception of Captain Alan. Early pars on 1 and 4 promised a glory day and the Captain could be forgiven for thinking that a major was within his grasp as he walked off the fifth green. A big drive left a wedge to the green, a bit over cooked to the back of the dance floor. Whoever made ‘Arry Potters wands obviously created Alan’s putter. A super putt down the green found the centre of the hole and Alan had a four point birdie. Out in 22 points Gerry McLawlor was now in clear sight, but had to do it all over again on the way home. Pars on 10, 11 and 12 brought the leader into clear sight, the Captain was now just one point behind. Unfortunately, the Captains wagon lost all of it’s wheels on 15 and 16 and Gerry’s afternoon was looking exceedingly better, like Mr Kiplings cakes.

So Gerry’s renaissance was complete as he added yet another major to his roll of honours. To prove that Friday was the day to play Brian Kelleher took second place with Captain Alan just two points adrift in third.

Our four Class winners were Hugh Stafford, Thomas Duffy, Tommy Hamill and Paul Gallagher. Sean Moynihan and Robbie Kelly took the best front and back nine respectively with 22 and 21 points.

Welcome back to the winners enclosure Gerry, not often anyone can say that they had a better golfing weekend that Rory from Holywood!

Congratulations to all who participated!

Captains Prize - Ladies

Well the results are out but the story of the Captains Prize to the Ladies has yet to be told!

We left the story with Rosaleen Treacy out in front on nett 68 with five shots in hand on Teresa Flynn and six ahead of Bernie Roche.

If you think the Men are experts at bursting from the pack well the Ladies are past masters ( couldn’t decide if past mistresses was PC or not so I didn’t use it) at upsetting the odds from distance. So we all knew Rosaleen would have to be on her game if she was to prevail.

On the few days in the year that Doreen Dempsey is in the country she certainly makes the best of them. Starting Day 2 on nett 79 our 2025 Captain immediately had Rosaleen in her sights! With her putter operating like Frankie Warners Odyssey on speed the diminutive Doreen was out in 36 and showing real intent. Long putts on 12, 13,15 and 16 maintained the momentum and Doreen came home in nett 71 and a two day total of 150. Coming off the 18th she was happy, but she was sure it wouldn’t be enough, she was right! But Rosaleen was on notice.

After Day 1 the writer (me) challenged Marian Molloy to make a run from 77, and her response was “you cheeky rip I’ll show you”. A brilliant drive on 2 split the fairway. The second was laid up leaving a tricky pitch to the green. A little too much on a slick green left a long putt for par, which just slid past. Nevertheless, a really good start and the hunt was on! With Marian out in 37 Rosaleen’s elevenses were not going so well. Unfortunately for Marian a difficult 11th hole proved to be a setback and she had to settle for a nett 37 on the way home for 74 and a 151 finish. Not quite enough but the challenge was accepted in true Marian style.

Marie Byrne sat just one shot ahead of Marian at the start of the day, on 76. She had a steady outward nine reaching the turn in nett 38. Not really making inroads but the back nine would be explosive. Word on the course was that Rosaleen might be feeling the nerves and that was Marie’s cue to strike. A brilliant drive on ten to the fringe of the green, a gentle chip and two putts and the chase was on. Shots were saved to handicap on 10, 11, 15 and 17. Every aspect of her game clicked into place on the way home to an inward 34 and a two day total of 148. Rosaleen now knew her target score!

As Wyndham Clark will tell you, it takes a special talent to win wire to wire and real character to protect a big lead. Rosaleen has both talent and character in abundance as many inter club opponents have found. The first few holes were tense though and it took until the 6th for a “settle me down” par to emerge. Out in 39 Marie was becoming a feature in her rear view mirror.

Rosaleen battled hard for every shot on the way home. As she teed off on 18 it was clear that bogey was needed to clinch the title. Her approach came up a little short but a dainty chip over the bunker trundled about twelve feet past. Two uphill putts needed and when you have two to win………you take them! Exactly as Rosaleen intended, the first was rolled up to the lip of the hole and the Captains Prize was won with the simplest of tap ins. A superb win Rosaleen and fully deserved over the two days in true Wyndham style. Congratulations!!

Well done to the Class winners Marian Molloy, Miriam Duffy and Linda Sweeney, great performances Ladies!

The first and second day 18 hole prizes went to Teresa Flynn and President Catherine Plunkett. Well done both!

Prizes for the respective nines fell to Bernie Roche, Ashling O’Neill, Mary Fitzgerald and Catriona Plunkett.

Finally, the nearest the line prize went to Rosaleen McGarry-Lynch, neatly bookending the Prize winners list.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Thank you again Captain Alan for hosting a superb week of fun and some special golf. With some brilliant inter club performances thrown in for good measure. It truly was a special time for all the members and we hope you enjoyed it too!!

Captains Prize - Men

The Captains Prize never fails to provide exceptional golf and more drama than you’d find in Fair City on Christmas Day. Captain Alan’s prize was no different, as you’d expect.

We left the story with Frankie Warner and Declan O’Leary out in front on nett 68 and just ahead of Silky Shane Mallen. As the week evolved we began to wonder who the sun would affect the most? Who would cope with the cool down on Sunday. Would Declan get his grass cut? Would Silky Shane bring a ribbon for the trophy? Or, was Frankie’s odyssey more Ulysses (all done in a day) or Wyndham Clark?

Of course, we knew the dark horses, cavalli nascosti, would emerge. This year from the early starters it was Eddie McNally that entered the great pantheon of cavalli nascosti (alongside luminaries such as E.S.B. (Barry McCall will know), Leicester City, the Irish Cricket team and Vinnie Byrne plus as we would learn Paddy McGrath). Eddie teed off at 8.40 after a first day 77. He lit the fuse early with shots picked up against his handicap on 6, 7, 8 and 9 to be out in 33. On the back nine it was holes 10, 15, 17 and 18 that saw him home in 33 and posting the clubhouse target at 143. With the leaders just heading off as Eddie sugared his coffee, suddenly high sixties looked like the target for a wire to wire win! By the time the lads came off the third green Eddie didn’t need so much sugar in his coffee!

Of course, the other famous cavallo oscuro, aka Vinnie Byrne, was making his traditional Captains Prize charge. Teeing off 30 minutes behind Eddie and two shots lighter from Day 1, Vinnie matched him on the outward journey and but for the 4th and 9th he might well have been kissing the Captain! However, perhaps he was distracted on the way home as his beloved Dubs engaged the Tribesmen, albeit on a lesser stage, but his momentum dissipated on 13 and 14 and this cavallo oscuro was forced to settle for the minor placings.

Around the same time, another man on a charge was the lovable Mick O’Boyle! He had the golf channel all a quiver on the third. Playing his trademark canny game his left an iron in the middle of the fairway. Mick’s lob wedge is his golfing comfort blanket, and so from approximately 150 yards out he flew the pin with just enough backspin to trickle back into the hole. Very Roryesque! Just as well though because he hates his putter! Pars on 4, 5 and 9 brought him out in nett 32. Suddenly Eddie needed more sugar. Unfortunately, Mick could only manage one par on the back nine and he was back in nett 38. Not enough to threaten the lead.

So the afternoon emerged. Paddy McGrath, the third cavallo oscuro, was out at 11.40, with leader hunting on his mind! Pars on 3, 5 and 6 brought him out in nett 30. A brilliant drive on 12 left him with the Mick O’Boyle approach and while his lob wedge found the green his birdie putt from 20 feet just slid past. A valuable par though. A nine iron from the tee on 15 copper fastened yet another par and Paddy was heading for a nett 63 and the outright lead.

The front nine was not treating our leaders well. Declan did produce a late flurry of pars through 11, 15 and 17 but it was not enough and Declan had to settle for the Class two title. By this time Frankie and Silky Shane were wishing they were cutting the grass as the golfing gods had spread their largesse elsewhere. Nevertheless, Frankie picked up a prize in Class 2 while Silky Shane picked up the prize for the best 18 on Day 1.

The moves were beginning to come from the middle of the afternoon pack. The ever dangerous Niall McDonnell made par on 1, then a brilliant drive on the par five dogleg laid the ground for a game changing birdie from above the hole. It looked like game on, particularly when another par followed in 5. The putter went a bit cold for the rest of the journey out but a nett 33 left him in the mix. Despite pars on 10, 12 and 15 he couldn’t quite close the gap on Paddy.

Derek Wynne landed up from Wicklow with fire in his belly and a par on the 1st was a perfect launching pad. A birdie fest followed on 3 and 4 and the lead was in sight. Out in 32 he could have been playing in the Travellers Championship! Another birdie followed on 13 but he couldn’t quite convert enough pars to make the podium. Nevertheless, Derek clinched the Best Gross prize with a two round total of 164.

Just ahead of him Ger Gilroy and the man with the sash, Chris Boyd, were quietly goading each other on! Pars on 1, 3, 4 and 6 saw Ger out in 31. Chris was just behind him on 33 having suffered a little wobble on 4. But his back nine was a picture! With Bridie Gallagher echoing in his head Chris pitched to 12 feet on 10, made his par. On 12 he caressed his drive around the trees to the middle of the fairway. Still caressing, like the newly wed that he is, he found the middle of the green. Two putts and Paddy was now under threat. A dreamy nine iron to fifteen and another par it was. His putter was now burning the greens, sorry Roy, as he converted a 100 yard pitching wedge to 16. A par eluded him on seventeen but Bridie was inspiring him on 18 as he smacked his Titleist down the middle. A slightly aggressive nine iron found the back of the green, two putts and Chris was home on 140 for the competition.

But what of Ger? With less of the caressing Ger powered his drive off twelve to set up a 90 yard pitch. A brilliant stroke almost emulated Micks eagle but a tap in birdie wasn’t bad! Another brilliant par on 15 and he and the Sash man were neck and neck. Unfortunately, trouble was discovered on 18 and Ger was also on the 140 mark, finishing 3rd on countback behind Chris.

And so it was! Paddy’s strike for victory in the early afternoon proved decisive and yet another name is added to the Captains Prize roll of honour! Congratulations Paddy!

Well done also to Class winners Niall McDonnell, Declan O’Leary, Eamonn Clifford and Eddie Mc Nally. Class 3 featured a top three of Eddie, Vinnie Byrne and Martin Morris. That combined age is worth at least two Presidents cheques!!!

Vincent O’Keeffe took nearest the pin, Silky Shane the longest drive and Stephen Maxwell the straightest drive.

The man from Donegal, no not that one, I mean Martin McGlynn, won the Past Captains prize after a brilliant 72 on day 1 and a 76 on Sunday.

A special mention for the venerable Jimmy Fitzachary. Jimmy played a starring role in the Irish Mixed Fourball win over Coolattin on Friday last. Jimmy being Jimmy he then had the audacity to tee up in the Rathfarnham GC Captains Prize on Saturday and run away with the Prize. Many congratulations Jimmy!!

Next up will be the Ladies report. Brace yourselves Ladies, it might take a few hours!

Congratulations Captain, we hope you enjoyed the Men’s efforts and the quality of golf. Enjoy the rest of your year.