Our Junior side under the management of Martin and Margaret Roarty has progressed to the final of the Under 16 County Cup following a hard-earned victory over a fine Strabane side last weekend. The margin of victory was a slim one, with two of the pairings winning and one finding their opponents too hot to handle on the day. The six lads should be proud of their efforts thus far and we look forward to their tussle with Ballybofey and Stranorlar in the near future. This will be a repeat of the 2007 final which ultimately brought silverware to Narin and Portnoo for the first time in many years. The team which won the semi-final included Aaron Bennett, Jamie McGroary, Patrick Roarty, Ciaran Roarty, Ciaran Thompson and Paul Gallagher, with the substitute on this occasion being Conall Boomer. Martin himself is to be congratulated on the part he played in helping Strabane win the Ulster Mixed Foursomes title last week and we wish him every success in the All-Ireland finals.

Paddy Beag Gillespie resembles the Bionic Man at present, with bits of metal here, there and everywhere. The left arm has been re-constructed with leftover materials from the space shuttle, so it is just as well that he only uses the other arm while swinging. The surgery hasn’t affected his golf, however, and on Monday last, the popular Glen man aced the short sixteenth for his first hole-in-one. According to not-so-neutral observers, he utilised his rescue wood shot to perfection, despite the perfect lie. The wallet might have been drained afterwards, but Paddy couldn’t take the smile off his face. Well done, young man!

The Committee urges the holders of those tickets not yet sold to make a special effort to try and generate as much revenue as they can for their club. The prizes are lucrative, with a 20-year membership or alternatively a cash prize of 5,000 euro as the first prize. The draw will be held on September 26th and tickets cost 10 euro.

Names have been given to the golf holes and these may be viewed on the club website. Any inputs in this regard are welcome. They will be added soon to the new scorecards.

Results:
August 20: Juniors. 67 played. Result: 6 holes: 1. Declan McDonagh 12 pts.; 2. Zach Gallagher 11 b.o.t.; 3. Fergal Moore 11 b.o.t.; 10 holes: 1. Kevin McGettigan 24; 2. Thomas Boyle 22; 3. Killian Doherty 21 b.o.t.; 18 holes: 1. Ciaran Roarty (18) 33 b.o.t.; 2. Conall Boomer (18) 33; 3. Paul Gallagher (18) 32;

The results of the most recent competitions will appear in next week’s notes.

Fixtures:
August 28: Mixed Foursomes, Draw at 6p.m., shortened course

August 30: D.P. Barry, Fourball betterball stableford, open

September 2: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;

John Lennon can add the Glenties Cup and August Medal to his list of ‘Major’ victories following his superb round of 65 in last Sunday’s competition sponsored by Glenside Bacon. The 1997 Captain’s Prize winner was in a class of his own, achieving six pars on his front nine and then matching his par tally from the first nine on the way home. But for a couple of double bogeys, the score would have been threatening the 60 mark! The sponsor, John Molloy grabbed a share of the spoils in winning his category, while Hugh Boyle’s front nine of four over gross augurs well for his assault on Michael Glynn’s Captain’s Prize this coming weekend. On that note, I wish the imperturbable, debonair and self-deprecating Glenties honouree the best of weather and pray that his speech is as short as his backswing.

Joseph McLoone just can’t stop winning at present and on Wednesday last he defeated a huge field of 184 golfers to win the weekly mid-week open competition. His handicap is now in single figures, a remarkable turnaround from the start of the year and one wonders how much lower he can go. A little birdie at 7 was duplicated on 16. A further eight pars were scored in the challenging conditions and the eventual score of 39 points was one better than Connie McGinley in second.

The Friday Mixed Greensomes are proving very successful and will resume on August 21st following Captain’s Week. The latest victors in the open draw format were Frankie Kennedy and Ann Hayden, with the latter winning for the second week in succession, with a different partner each time.

The Committee thanks those who have already sold tickets in the fundraising draw and urge the holders of those tickets not yet sold to make a special effort to try and generate as much revenue as they can for their club. The prizes are lucrative, with a 20-year membership or alternatively a cash prize of 5,000 euro as the first prize. The draw will be held on September 26th and tickets cost 10 euro.

Our professional, Connor Mallon is to be congratulated on his fine performance at the Ulster P.G.A. last week where he finished on a high note at two under par on the fabulous new Lough Erne course in Enniskillen. His recent intonations may have fallen on deaf ears, but despite feeling under the weather throughout, the aspiring troubadour impressed his novice caddy with the accuracy of his mathematical calculations and course management. The result leaves him currently 17th on Srixon Order of Merit.

Results:
August 5: Wednesday Open;
1. Joseph McLoone (10) 39; 2. Connie McGinley (12) 38; 3. Anthony Thompson (18) 37; 4. Eamonn McGuinness (19) 36 b.o.t.; Twos: 6 balls each; C.S.S. Home: 73; Away: 76.
August 7: Friday Mixed Greensomes Results, 13 holes:
1. Frankie Kennedy & Ann Hayden 31 b.o.t.; 2. Donie McCole & Bernie Tonry 31; 3. Rab Brady & Mary Fitzpatrick 30;
August 9:
Glenside Bacon & Glenties Cup:
1. John Lennon (16) 65; 2. Patrick Gallagher (18) 67; 3. Frank Dohan (19) 68; Cat A John Molloy (7) 70; Cat B Barry McCrea (11) 69; Cat C Tony Boner (18) 72 b.o.t.; Nines: Hugh Boyle (21) 28.5; Edward Sparshott (17) 31.5; CSS 73; Twos: 3 balls each

Fixtures:
August 14: Captain’s Mixed Foursomes, closed
August 15/16: Mr. Michael Glynn’s Captain’s Prize, Stableford, Closed
August 19: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 25 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;

Narin and Portnoo Golf Club and the Dunmore Caravan Society supported an Alzheimer’s Fundraiser in July and the event proved a great success, with 7,761 euros raised for the Donegal Alzheimer Associaiton. Pictured are event organiser, Nan Quinn, Eileen Kennedy, Lady Captain, Michael Glynn, Captain and Mary Connaghan, Treasurer of the Association.

It was a very good week for Mickey Campbell! His second hole-in-one at the 16th on Friday was followed by a two-shot win in the Diver’s Centra Filling Station competition played on Sunday. His gross score of 80 was matched only by Willie Quinn and Harold Reid, such was the quality of the 13 handicapper’s ball-striking. Birdies at the 2nd and 5th put a nice gloss on his otherwise perfunctory front nine, but the back nine was a different story. Five pars and another birdie at the 14th enabled a two over par return on the inward nine and the total of 67 nett kept Martin Arnold at bay, despite his own fast finish.

Finnian O’Doherty continued his progress up the golfing charts with a comfortable victory in the Senior Scratch Cup on Monday. He kept a six off his card in a two over par gross round of 75, completing the back nine in two under 36. Kieran Cunnea had the best nett score of the day (a 70) and it was sufficient to win him the best nett in his category. John B. Kelly shot the best gross in the Intermediate category, while Sean Callaghan did likewise in the Junior event.

Anthony Thompson won the ever-popular Wednesday Open by a single point from a trio of golfers on 38 stableford points. Two little twos at 7 and 16 helped the cause considerably, especially as both counted as four-pointers. Five other three –pointers further adorned the card.

We had three male club teams in action during the week and two of them came out on top. The Minor League side had three matches in hand from the first leg of their semi-final with Northwest and despite a positive start, it just wasn’t to be and the Buncrana men won comfortably on their own patch. Patsy and his men are to be congratulated on their fine run and the team captain wishes to thank his squad for all their effort and support during the four-round run. The team which got so close were: Hugh F. Shovlin & Manus Boyle Snr.; Eamonn McNelis & Adrian Maguire; Frank McGinley & Paul McGinley; Anthony Harkin & Patsy Harkin; Connell Gavigan & Patrick Gallagher.

Martin and Margaret Roarty’s juniors had a more rewarding experience in Buncrana, winning three nil on the Municipal course. They now face the prospect of a semi-final tussle and will be hoping to emulate the Narin and Portnoo side which won this title in 2007.

Pat Connaghan’s oul’ fellas are not letting the kids outshine them in the slightest and his proud team enjoyed a narrow victory over Ballybofey and Stranorlar last week to reach the final for the first time. Willie Quinn and Eddie Gregg were the heroes in the away leg, grabbing a three and two win to get the point required following the strong home result.

Results:
August 3: Narin & Portnoo Scratch Cups: Senior Scratch Cup 1st Gross: Finnian O’Doherty 75; 1st Nett: Kieran McWilliams (5) 72 b.o.t.; Intermediate Scratch Cup 1st Gross: John B. Kelly 85; 1st Nett: Kieran Cunnea (17) 70; Junior Scratch Cup 1st Gross: Sean Callaghan 92; 1st Nett: Hugh Smith (21) 72; C.S.S. 73

August 2: Diver’s Centra Filling Station: 1. Mickey Campbell (13) 67; 2. Martin Arnold (14) 69 b.o.t.; 3. Connor Taggart (16) 69; Cat A Willie Quinn (8) 72; Cat B Andrew McGovern (11) 71; Cat C Hugh Smith (22) 71; Nines: Jimmy Cunningham (15) 29.5; John Lennon (16) 34; CSS 73; Twos: 3 balls each

August 1: Saturday Open: Competition cancelled due to poor weather

July 31: Killybegs Church Classic Results: 1. Conal Keeney, Pat Cunningham and Leonard McGill 84; 2. Joe McLoone, Dermot McHugh and Pat Gallagher 81; 3. Sean Rodgers, Denis Carbery and Tom O’Keeffe 78; 4. John Molloy, Seamus Given and Michael Glynn 76; 5. Hugh Smith, Fred Sweeney and Bart Whelan 74; 6. Declan O’Donnell, Kevin Gilgunn and Jimmy Kennedy 72 b.o.t.; 7. Claire Boner, Maureen Gildea and Eithne O’Boyle 72; Nearest the Pin on 16: Michael Campbell with a hole-in-one; Nearest the Pin in Two at 18: Brian McGonagle; Draw Winners: Michael Naughton, Frankie Quinn x 2, Jimmy Cunningham, Goretti Cunningham.

July 30: Juniors 18 holes: 1. John Moore; 2. Colm Flood; 3. Finnian O’Doherty; 10 holes: 1. Jack Doyle; 2. Rory Carr; 3. Paul Ryan; 6 holes: 1. Declan McDonagh; 2. Ciaran Henry; 3. Patrick McAdam

July 29: Wednesday Open: 1. Anthony Thompson (19) 39; 2. John Molloy (8) 38 b.o.t.; 3. Susan Thompson (12) 38 b.o.t.; 4. Andrew McGovern (11) 38; C.S.S. 74; Twos: 3 balls each

Fixtures:
August 7: Weekly Mixed Foursomes at 6p.m.; Draw for partners; Open

August 9: Glenties Cup sponsored by Glenside Bacon, Medal, Open except for first prize;
August 12: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;

August 11: Captain’s Prize to the Ladies, closed

August 12: Past Captains 3p.m. to 4p.m.,

August 13: Captain’s Prize to the Juniors, closed
August 14: Captain’s Mixed Foursomes, closed
August 15/16: Mr. Michael Glynn’s Captain’s Prize, Stableford, Closed