Sunday 3 October 2021

Mens

Fred Perry Trophy win for Nenagh: In the shadow of Knocknarea hill, with Ben Bulben in the distance and the Atlantic Ocean waves crashing on the shore Strandhill Golf Club is in a spectacular location. Nenagh Golf Club Fred Perry Trophy team was at the club on Thursday last to contest the semi-final against Connemara Isles. The Fred Perry Trophy is a Golf Ireland fourball betterball competition for golfers over the age of 55. Nenagh had to fight to the very last hole to overcome this gallant Galway side but they were up for the challenge and eventually won by 3.5-1.5. After six holes of this semi-final Nenagh were down in all five matches but birdies at vital stages turned the matches around. Westmanstown defeated The Hermitage 3.5 to 1.5 in the other semi-final.

The final, against Westmanstown on Friday morning in cold and windy conditions proved to be as competitive as Thursday's but Nenagh went up early in some of the matches and maintained this advantage to the end.

Dinny Ryan and PJ Hogan were first out and they got off to a flying start, were up early and maintained the lead to eventually win 6/4. Jim Gleeson and Billy Burke were next out but they were two down through the first nine but rallied to win in the 17th green. Paul Moloney and Gary Howard went two up through 5 holes and went on to win 4/3. Both Mike Ryan & Willie Harty and Sean Minogue & George Hayes were up in their respective matches when called in. The final score was 4-1 to Nenagh.

The Nenagh team for both days was: Billy Burke & Jim Gleeson, PJ Hogan & Dinny Ryan, Paul Moloney & Gary Howard, Mike Ryan & Willie Harty, Sean Minogue & George Hayes. Others team members were Michael Gough, Jimmy Ryan, Kevin Stritch and Michael Hegarty.

The team manager Billy Morgan and his selector Bernard Delahunty managed the team through seven rounds starting in June at Rathbane in the first round followed by Limerick, Ennis, Killarney, Esker Hill, Connemara Isles and finally the All-Ireland final win over Westmanstown in Strandhill. The managers received great co-operation from the team who were willing to travel long distance for practice and matches.

This is a great achievement for the club to have another All-Ireland title to complement the Pierce Purcell Shield win in September. Indeed three members Paul Moloney, Mike Ryan and PJ Hogan were involved with both winning teams. At the presentation of the trophy club captain Sean McLoughlin and team manager Billy Morgan both thanked Golf Ireland for their great organisation of the competition and Strandhill Golf Club for their hospitality and course conditions over the three days.

Results: Tuesday and Wednesday September 28 and 29, Open Singles Stableford: 1st Gerard Carroll (10) 43 pts; 2nd Michael Scroope (9) 41 pts; 3rd Sean O'Donnell (18) 38 pts (back 9); gross Robert Ward 31 pts; senior: Nicky Flannery (150 38 pts; senior plus: Malachy Hoolan (23) 36 pts.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 1, 2 and 3 Irish Kidney Association Champagne Scramble.: 1st Joe Ryan (27), Denis Collins (28), Adrian Kenneally (17), Mick Kayes, Portumna (16) 108 pts; 2nd Ray Hurley (7), Eamon O'Brien (12), Thomas Slattery (13), Dom O'Brien (16) 101 pts; 3rd Desmond Bayly (21), Brian Hanly (24), Peter Baker (7), John Hanly (20) 98 pts; ladies: Cathy McLoughlin (36), Kay Murphy (38), Patricia Finn (45), Rita Quinn (44) 90 pts.

Fixtures: Tuesday and Wednesday October 5 and 6: Open Singles Stableford

Saturday and Sunday October 9 and 10 : Open Singles Stableford

Tuesday and Wednesday October 12 and 13: Open Singles Stableford.

50/50 Members' Draw: The fortnightly 50/50 Members' Draw in aid of the club development fund is ongoing. In the last draw held on Friday September 24th Matt Hanly won €130 with the total pot at €255.To enter simply put €5 in the envelope supplied and place it in draw box outside the pro shop. The winner will receive 50% of the pot. The draw will take place every second Friday. The prize grows with every ticket sold. Please support. The next draw will take place on this Friday October 8. Thanks to everybody who supported this club fundraiser.

Club Fourball: The club fourball is down to the final: Paddy Heffernan & Cian Heffernan v Liam Maher & Dominic Ryan.

Munster Junior Boys: The Munster Junior Boys Strokeplay event will take place at Nenagh Golf Club on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 27, 28 and 29 October. They will have practice on Tuesday 26 October from 10am to 1pm and the course will be closed for maintenance after that. The qualifier will take place on Wednesday and Thursday with the top 45 players competing on Friday 29th October.