Castleblayney Mens Club Notes 14th June 2010

 Johnny Wins AIB Prize

This season has seen many new members among the prizewinners in our club. But in last weekend’s AIB sponsored singles event, the winners were all long standing stalwarts of our club. The winner Johnny Redmond has been golfing in Blayney for more years than he cares to remember. On Saturday morning in very windy conditions Johnny hit no less than 26 points on the front nine. A mere 16 on the way home was enough to give him a feour shot margin of victory over his regular fourball partner Martin Allen. Martin had a very admirable 38 points a week ago in our “Black Tee” event, so off the Greens 38 was a piece of cake. Third prize was won by Patsy Boyle. Patsy has had some struggles off the tee of late, so his 37 points will have put a smile back on his face.

Our inter-club season is in full swing at present. James King’s Junior Cowdy Cup side managed to win a match at Portadown Golf Club, with PJ Harte and Martin Malone picking up a point. 3 – 1 down is not an insurmountable challenge in their second leg at Concra. However, a similar 3 – 1 loss for   Rossmore Cup side at home to Lisburn surely sounds the death knell for our participation in 2010.

The best result of the weekend was achieved by Martin Carville’s Pierce Purcell Shield team. Regular readers will know that Martin’s side have been hotly tipped for greatness in this column. Well, Nairn and Portnoo G.C. took them all the way to the final green before succumbing to Mick Fee and - that man again – PJ Harte to lose out by 3 matches to 2. Special mention must also go to Mickey Quinn. A last minute replacement for Gerry Mc Caul who failed a late fitness test, Mickey accompanied Team Captain Martin to a resounding 7 and 5 victory. Not bad for an ould fella! A quarter final against Portsalon G.C. is up next.

A final reminder this week to all members to enter the Hi-Lo competition as the draw takes place on Sunday evening.

And I’m sure all our members are delighted to welcome our new Pro, Conor Mc Kenna, to Castleblayney. We wish him many happy days ahead in Concra Wood.

And finally for this week, the announcement many of you have been looking forward to. Placing is over! From this weekend on, it’s play the ball as it lies – and an opportunity for some lucky golfer to set a new course record in our competition next Saturday and Sunday. This event will be sponsored by Shane Tyre - a very magnanimous gesture, as the new road is sure to hit their profits in the months ahead.