Narin & Portnoo Golf Club Notes 2nd August 2011

The 95 golfers who participated in the July Medal competition sponsored by the Dolmen Centre enjoyed excellent golfing conditions and the scoring reflected the quality of the course at present. Michael Naughton has always inferred that his fourball colleagues are a millstone around his golf game and he proved a point when, in their absence, he recorded a fine round of three under net par 70. News of the loss of a shot on his handicap as a result was on CNN within minutes of him signing his card! His score and worse has won many a medal but afternoon-finisher, Patrick P. Gallagher went one better, finishing on 69. It wasn’t to be for the Glenties golfer, however, for Paul McCloskey followed up on his two victories in June by capturing the medal with 68 nett off 17 handicap. His nett four under par back nine made the difference, with a birdie on 15 the highlight. Paul will now participate in the Golfer of the Year tournament to be played in the autumn and if he maintains this form, he will be hard to stop.

Gary McHugh won last Wednesday’s Open with an excellent score of 43 points, comprising nines of 23 and 20 points respectively. Birdies galore at 2, 7, 11 and 16 showed how hot his golf was on the day and he could even afford a blank on the last to win by a single point from fast-finishing James P. Byrne.

Please make a note in your diary that a presentation of prizes will take place in the clubhouse on Sunday 7th August at 8.30p.m. sharp. A mixed tournament takes place every Friday evening at 6p.m.

Last Saturday’s Inter District Classic was cancelled. The result of the three-club challenge is not to hand at present but will feature next week.

We wish the Ulster Cup team well this Sunday as they attempt to prevail at home to Foyle in the quarter final. Seven matches may be required to win out, but they’ve proved their durability in previous rounds, so don’t write them off just yet!

Harold Reid’s Junior Donegal team reached the semi-final, defeating Cruit Island on a play-off.  Both teams won 4-3 at home, so Aaron Bennett had to go out again to decide the overall tie. He had already won his own match on the 22nd hole, but he needed just one to defeat his gallant Cruit opponent. The first leg of the semi-final has already been played, with Narin and Portnoo losing all seven matches away from home in Gaoth Dobhair, two being decided on play-offs. We wish them well in the return leg.

The club sympathises with Tony McCormack, his family and friends on the recent sad passing of Sheena. May she rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Finally, I would like to thank the erudite captain, Brian McGonagle for covering the notes for me these past three weeks. It was much appreciated.

Results:

July 31: Dolmen Centre Medal
1. Paul McCloskey (17) 68; 2. Patrick P. Gallagher (15) 69; 3. Michael Naughton (15) 70; Cat A Jim Harley (9) 72 b.o.t.; Cat B John Bán Gallagher (12) 72 b.o.t.; Cat C Patrick A. Gallagher (19) 73; Nines: Ronnie Hill (19) 31; Donie McCole (9) 35; CSS 72; Twos: 4 balls July 27: Wednesday Open 1. Gary McHugh (14) 43; 2. James Byrne (14) 42; 3. Margaret Parkinson (36) 41 b.o.t.; CSS 72; Twos: 4 balls July 26: Hole-in-one in Cruit Island by Briege Boyle on 17th hole.

Fixtures:

Open Week begins on August 7th with a single stableford on Sunday (sponsored by the Killybegs Golf Society), a single stableford on Monday 8th (LYIT Society), scotch foursomes on Tuesday 9th (Dunkineely Golf Society), single stableford on Wednesday 10th (Ardara GAA), single stroke on Thursday 11th (Aer Arann), fourball betterball stableford on Friday 12th (Killybegs GAA) and a single stableford on Saturday 13th (Elliott Home Improvements).