The club is reviving the old Am-Am this year after an absence of four years and there is much interest in the individual/team event which takes place this weekend over two days. The competition is open to both ladies and gents and the entry fee is 30 euro for members and 40 for visitors. The prize-giving will take place at 9p.m. on Sunday night.

All outstanding matches in the Spring Foursomes, Clements Mixed Foursomes and Dr. McCloskey Perpetual Cup must be played by the 4th of September. The finals of these events will take place on September 11th.

Donie McCole won the most recent Wednesday Open by the skin of his ProV1, pipping John Molloy and John McCole by virtue of a better back nine. A steady front nine was the foundation for the good score, but it was the fine birdie at the last which sealed his success.

I seem to be recording the name of Aaron Bennett a lot these times, with the young golfer picking up prizes on a frequent basis. His latest success came in the Kilcar G.A.A. event played last Sunday when he combined nines of 22 and 21 points respectively to win by three points. Twelve pars and a birdie on 14 illustrate how well he played and there will doubtless be more to come from the teenager whose handicap is descending rapidly.

Results:
August 22: Kilcar G.A.A. 1. Aaron Bennett (11) 43; 2. P.J. Gallagher (11) 40; 3. Kevin Gilgunn (19) 39 b.o.t.; Cat A Finn McCrory (7) 38; Cat B Seamus McDonagh (13) 39 b.o.t.; Cat C Pat Connaghan (21) 39 b.o.t.; Nines: Ciaran Whelan (19) 24; Martin Sweeney (26) 23; CSS 73; Twos: 4 balls

August 18: Wednesday Open 1. Donie McCole (10) 38 b.o.t.; 2. John Molloy (8) 38 b.o.t.; 3. John McCole (13) 38; CSS 73; Twos: 3 balls

Fixtures:
Wednesday, September 1: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;

Saturday/Sunday September 4/5: Am-Am, 36 holes, teams of four, team and individual prizes, ladies and gents, open.

Stephen McKelvey was presented with the Narin and Portnoo Golf Club Captain’s Prize by Seamus McDonagh following his stunning performance at the weekend

Jimmy and Goretti Cunningham were the proud winners of Seamus McDonagh’s Captain’s Mixed Foursomes event at Narin and Portnoo Golf Club

Lisa Patton of Strabane won the Captain’s Prize to the Juniors competition held recently at Narin and Portnoo Golf Club. She is pictured receiving her prize from the club captain, Seamus McDonagh

Beatrice McDevitt won Seamus McDonagh’s Prize to the Ladies during Captain’s Week at Narin

I don’t know how he did it (he credits a heavenly intercessor!) but Seamus McDonagh managed to enjoy a sun-kissed weekend on the occasion of his Captain’s Prize. The form was mighty, the smiles omnipresent, the nectar flowed and all was well with the world.

A busy week’s events began with the prize to the ladies, won in some style by Beatrice McDevitt with 39 points. Willie Quinn won the Past Captains’ Prize on Wednesday and would double up on this success on Sunday. The junior members thronged the place on Thursday with over 90 golfers present. The winner, Lisa Patton impressed as much with her eloquent acceptance speech as with the excellence of her golf game. The keen duo of Mark Patton (just released from a leg cast!) and Paul Ryan were the winners of the other categories. Friday saw Goretti and Jimmy Cunningham saunter to success in the Captain’s Mixed Foursomes and there have rarely been more popular winners of the event.

Jimmy had a good run at the main prize too, firing a huge 44 points on day one, matched only by the eventual winner, Stephen McKelvey. The latter returned 42 points on Sunday, accumulating 26 of them on his front nine alone! A couple of blanks at 15 and 16 tested his mettle somewhat but a steady finish ensured that with 86 points, he kept ahead of the fast-finishing Finnian O’Doherty, who went around in one under par for a total of 81 points off a 4 handicap. Mickey Campbell pipped Willie Quinn to third with 79 points, while the latter settled for the prestigious gross prize. John Bán Gallagher made a great fist of his title defence, finishing sixth with 75 points.

Many contributed to the success of the week and Seamus was quick to pay sincere tribute to all and sundry. In particular, he acknowledged the help and support of his family and friends during the year to date and reminisced fondly about Frank, his late father, who introduced him to the club many moons ago. Those of us whom he took under his wing continue to celebrate his memory and it must be said that the young fellow fills the big man’s shoes with dedication, affability and aplomb. We wish Seamus every success for the remainder of his term in office.

John McBride won the latest Wednesday Open with 39 points. He played the harder back nine in 22 points, book-ending the nine with birdies at 10 and 18.
Chris Olson of Aurora, Illnois enjoyed his first round of golf in Ireland on July 19th, acing the 7th hole at Narin and Portnoo with a crisply struck 9 iron. Chris was playing with club member, Bill Thomas who was as proud of the young man’s achievement as any father-in-law should be. We congratulate Chris on his great achievement and hope that he returns to attempt to replicate the feat!
The club wishes a return to good health to members who are indisposed at this time. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.

This Saturday features the Captain’s Prize of the Ardara Society. Donie McCole is this year’s honouree and his competition will kick off at 8.30a.m. It is also the final qualifier for the Rider Cup team.

The professionals are running a junior camp on the 23rd and 24th of August. Juniors must be in the 6 to 15 age category. For further details, please ring the Pro Shop at 0749545107.

Results:
August 14/15: Captain’s Prize 1. Stephen McKelvey (18) 44/42 86; 2. Finnian O’Doherty (4) 81; 3. Mickey Campbell (11) 79 b.o.t.; Gross: Willie Quinn (8) 63; 4. John Thompson (9) 76; 5. Paul McGinley (19) 75 b.o.t.; 6. John Bán Gallagher (11) 75 b.o.t.; Cat A Manus Boyle Jnr. 74; Cat B Cathal Donoghue 75 b.o.t.; Cat C Martin Sweeney 73 b.o.t.; 1st Sat: Jimmy Cunningham 44; 1st Sun: Anthony Thompson 39 b.o.t.; 2nd Sat: Michael Doyle 41; 2nd Sun: Mark Diver 39; Best Past Captain: Seamus McGarvey (11) 72; 1st Guest: Ann Hayden (34) 39; 2nd Guest: Margaret Roarty (11) 30; CSS Sat/Sun: 73 August 13: Captain’s Mixed Foursomes 1. Goretti & Jimmy Cunningham 69; 2. Adare & Rab Brady 74; August 12: Captain’s Prize to the Juniors 1. Lisa Patton (21) 38; 10 holes: Paul Ryan; 5 holes: Mark Roarty August 11: Past Captains’ Prize 1. Willie Quinn 39; August 11: Wednesday Open 1. John McBride (11) 39; 2. Chris McGonagle, Cruit Island (3) 37 b.o.t.; 3. Harold Reid (6) 37 b.o.t.; CSS 75; Twos: 6 balls each August 10: Captain’s Prize to the Ladies 1. Beatrice McDevitt (33) 69; 2. Eileen Kennedy (18) 70; 3. Grainne Cafferty (18) 72;
Fixtures:
Wednesday, August 25: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;

Rena Boyle won this year’s Lady Captain’s Prize and she was presented with her award by Margaret Roarty at Narin and Portnoo Golf Club

Seamus McDonagh is hosting the events this week and we wish the Captain the very best. The big tussle will be for the Captain’s Prize itself on Saturday and Sunday and many are eyeing the biggest prize of the season. I do know that the Dungloe golfer will have everyone laughing, both at him and with him!

Hugh Smith won the Clock Tower Medal on Sunday, finishing head of a large field by virtue of a break-off-tie. The experienced Killybegs golfer overcame a number of setbacks during his round to get over the line, the attainment of several important pars the secret to his success.

The Bank Holiday scramble was won by the group of Finnian O’Doherty, Donie McCole, Kevin Patton and Frankie Quinn. An amazing twelve birdies were recorded during the round, with every hole on the back nine yielding to a score of one under par. I have never before come across such a nine and the lads deserve all the plaudits!
Andrew McGovern demonstrated more of his great potential on Wednesday with a fine success in the Wednesday Open. Over 160 golfers took part, yet scoring was difficult. Andrew came closest to breaking par, his 35 points consisting of two nines of 20 and 15 respectively.
The Junior team tried valiantly to win their Fred Daly plate match but Letterkenny proved just too strong. The boys won 4-3 at home but lost 5 matches away. The Senior men also came unstuck, this time against Bundoran, losing 3-2 at home and not being able to repair the damage in the away leg. On a positive note, Finnian O’Doherty won the Donegal Boys’ Championship in Narin last Thursday with a 77 and we congratulate him on his continued good form. Connor Mallon also had a good week, finishing runner-up in the prestigious Ulster PGA at Lough Erne after losing a play-off. There’s more to come yet from the engaging pro this summer.

The professionals are running a junior camp on the 23rd and 24th of August. Juniors must be in the 6 to 15 age category. For further details, please ring the Pro Shop at 0749545107.

Results:
August 8: Clock Tower Bar & Bistro Medal 1. Hugh Smith (22) 71 b.o.t.; 2. Gerard Feeney (15) 71; 3. Maurice Crotty (14) 72 b.o.t.; Cat A Rab Brady (11) 73 b.o.t.; Cat B Lyle Taggart (14) 72; Cat C Pat Connaghan (21) 74 b.o.t.; Nines: Pat O’Gorman (18) 30.5; Shane O’Neill (13) 36.5; CSS 73; Twos: 6 balls August 5: Donegal Boys Championship 1. Finnian O’Doherty 77 August 4: Wednesday Open 1. Andrew McGovern )10) 35; 2. Paddy Boyle (18) 34 b.o.t.; 3. Brian McGovern (21) 34 b.o.t.; CSS 72; Twos: 32 balls August 2: Scramble 1. Finnian O’Doherty, Donie McCole, Kevin Patton, Frankie Quinn 56.7; 2. Margaret Roarty, Martin Roarty, Annette McGettigan, Kevin Doherty 58.2; 3. Richard Shepherd, Helen Shepherd, Mark Shepherd, Gail Park 59.2;

Fixtures:
Thursday, August 12: Captain’s Prize to the Juniors Friday, August 13: Captain’s Mixed Foursomes Saturday/Sunday, August 14/15: Mr. Seamus McDonagh’s Captain’s Prize Wednesday, August 18: Wednesday Open, ladies and gents, single stableford, 20 euro entry for G.U.I. visitors, including green fee;