Two long hours have passed since I completed my first round of golf with the learned Paddy Beag. I now know that ‘fido’ means faithful in Latin, that the Yankees have a better than evens chance of winning the World Series and that when everything in your favour is against you, belt out a Sinatra classic or two by way of mollification! We were participating along with the big-hitting Patrick Gallagher in the Bank Holiday scramble and while the golf left a lot to be desired at times, there wasn’t a laugh left out on the course!

Sunday morning was a problematic one on many fronts, with the weather stormy and the P.R.O.’s time-keeping exclusively for the birds. Hughie Moore was always the man for the wind and rain and this Conal McLoone Butchers stableford competition proved no exception. While the more timid (such as yours truly) took shelter from the tempest, Hughie set about constructing a score which would beat the course. He was the only one to succeed in this endeavour, amassing 37 superb points. A birdie two at the third was a nice bonus in the tough early holes and when further birdies were added at the 6th and 8th, Hughie’s playing partners knew that he was course for a fine score. Four pars were secured on the way home into the gale and the final tally was two better than the fast-finishing Mícheál McGinley in second.

James Byrne got back to winning ways in the Wednesday Open, massacring the back nine with 24 points to finish on a score of 41 stableford points. Birdies at 12, 13 and 18 were impressive indeed, quality matched only by the performance of our club professional, Connor Mallon in second place after an eight-birdie blitz in the course of his round of 40.

Our over-50s team put up a gallant fight in Ballyliffin in the second leg of the county final, winning the holes battle but coming up short when it came to actual points on the board. The home result had proved too much to carry but Pat Connaghan can feel very proud of his troops. We congratulate the home side on their victory and wish them an enjoyable year as county champions. For the record, the team in Ballyliffin consisted of: Eamonn McGill & Willie Quinn; Eddie Gregg & John Quinn; Francie Cunningham & Seamus McGarvey; Cathal Donoghue & Frankie Kennedy; Bart Whelan & Sean Rodgers.

The entry sheet for the Winter Matchplay has also been posted and names may be given to either Connor or Darragh. The draw will take place this Sunday night (November 1st).

Results:
October 25: Conal McLoone Butchers
1. Hughie Moore (15) 37; 2. Mícheál McGinley (17) 35; 3. Manus Boyle Jnr. (10) 33 b.o.t.; Cat A Kevin Patton (8) 32; Cat B John McBride (10) 32; Cat C Michael Martin (19) 33; Nines: Sean McGinley (17) 21; John McCole (11) 18; C.S.S. 76; Twos: 10 balls each:
October 21: Wednesday Open
1. James P. Byrne (14) 41; 2. Connor Mallon (+2) 40; 3. Michael Glynn (19) 38; C.S.S. 73; Twos: 3 balls each:

Fixtures:
November 1: Charael Catering, single stroke, open

November 4: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;

As an impressionable youngster, I heard stirring tales of sporting derring-do among the golfing fraternity of Narin and Portnoo. One such luminary was that feisty competitor from Dungloe, one Thomas Philbin. He ground down opponents with sparkling iron play and a never-say-die approach to the game. The years have been kind to our Tommy and last Wednesday, he reminded all and sundry of the verve of yesteryear. A front nine of 18 points would have been much better had the blank on four been avoided, but there were no such problems coming home. A six was kept off the card and the end result was a back nine of 22 points for a total score of 40.

The annual Leo Molloy fundraiser was a big success once again and over 100 golfers battled for the honours bestowed on the victors. Sean Whyte was the successful golfer on this occasion, improving on his front nine score of 18 points by five on the return. A birdie on the 11th was the highlight of a solid round’s golf. Emer Duane hails from Pádraig Harrington’s home club and she demonstrated much of the same shot-making skill as she took the ladies’ prize with a fine 39 points.

Kieran Gallagher has been threatening a big score all year and I believe that of all the golfers in the club at present, it is this local lad who can shoot much lower, given the quality of his swing. The Narin Inn is just across the road from Kieran’s workplace and the prize kindly sponsored by that establishment was won courtesy of nines of 40 and 41 strokes respectively. The handicap reduced the score to 68, a tally two shots better than Gerald McDwyer in second.

Finally, the club members wish Hugh and Tiny the best of nights in Glen this weekend as they celebrate fifty blissful years of marriage. I know the youthful Mr. Cunningham will avow that, despite the evidence to the contrary, he was somehow married before he was born, but I have it on good authority from one of his perfidious golfing buddies (he knows which one) that he is indeed a fully-fledged pensioner, plus tax. Never mind Hugh. You have the love of a good woman, and that’s all that matters. Congratulations to the happy couple!

The draw was made for the Golfer of the Year matchplay event sponsored by Connor Mallon, Club PGA Professional, and Bart Whelan has already reached the semi-final. We would urge the competitors to play their matches as soon as possible. Full details can be found on the website or in the clubhouse. The entry sheet for the Winter Matchplay has also been posted and names may be given to either Connor or Darragh.

Results:
October 14: Wednesday Open
1. Tommy Philbin (17) 40 b.o.t.; 2. Tom O’Donnell (15) 40 b.o.t.; 3. Mícheál McGinley (18) 40; C.S.S. 72; Twos: 3 balls each:

October 17: Leo Molloy Fundraiser
Gents: 1. Sean Whyte (15) 41; 2.Thomas Hughes (18) 40; 3. John Malone (13) 39 b.o.t.; 4. John Molloy (7) 39; 5. Conal Keeney (14) 38 b.o.t.; 6. Pauric McHugh (11) 38; 7. Kevin Patton (8) 37 b.o.t.; 8. Gerald McDwyer (12) 37;
Ladies: 1. Emer Duane, Stackstown (32) 39; 2. Celia McGee (17) 37; 3. Mary Nicholson (14) 34;
Nearest the Pin on 18: Michael Duddy; C.S.S. 73

October 18: Narin Inn
1. Kieran Gallagher (13) 68; 2. Gerald McDwyer (12) 70 b.o.t.; 3. Kevin Nicholson (19) 70; Cat A James Quinn (9) 71; Cat B Gerry Feeney (15) 71; Cat C Kevin Gilgunn (19) 71; Nines: Anthony Molloy (19) 32.5; Eamonn McNelis (19) 31.5; C.S.S. 73; Twos: 6 balls each

Fixtures:
Sunday October 25: Conal McLoone Butchers, single stableford, open

Monday October 26: Club 3-Ball Scramble, ladies & gents, open

October 28: Wednesday Open, Ladies and gents, Single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;

He may be the wrong side of 21 but Eamonn McGill still has the X factor. On Sunday last, he stepped up to the first tee in Narin, still smarting from the P.R.O.’s mischievous words of a few short weeks before. The competition was sponsored by the Glenties G.A.A. and that possibly added to the Ardara man’s intensity of purpose. He raced out of the blocks, striking the ball with the keenness of old. Years of experience on the pristine Narin greens aided the reading of putting lines and when it came time to turn for home, Eamonn was in the driving seat following 20 points on the outward half. A birdie at the awkward 11th was followed by another at 13 and 22 points was a worthy reward for a splendid round of golf.

Mairtín Ó hIarnáin returned from his summer sojourn down the country to walk away with the latest Wednesday Open. A birdie on the index one fourth promised much and, indeed, a single five was his worst score on the front nine. The 24 points recorded were magnificent and 20 more on the return spoke volumes for his consistency.

Results:
October 7: Wednesday Open

1. Mairtín Ó hIarnáin (12) 44; 2. Eoin Dunleavy (9) 41; 3. John McCole (12) 40; Twos: 3 balls; C.S.S. 73;

October 11: Glenties G.A.A.

1. Eamonn McGill (8) 42; 2. Patrick P. Gallagher (17) 40; 3. Sean McGinley Snr. (18) 39 b.o.t.; Cat A Fr. Adrian Gavigan (9) 37; Cat B James Keeney (15( 39; Cat C Stephen McKelvey (18) 36; Nines: Joseph O’Boyle (24) 21; Kieran Gallagher (12) 21; C.S.S. 74; Twos: 3 balls each.

Fixtures:
October 17: Annual Leo Molloy Fundraiser, single stableford, open

October 18: Narin Inn, single stroke, open

October 21: Wednesday Open, Ladies and gents, Single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors including green fee;