Gold Coast Golf Club Notes 27th August 2018:
Mick Ahern R.I.P.
What a shock went thru the Club on Tuesday morning when news of the sudden death of Mick Ahern became known. Mick had had health problems a few months ago but had recovered very well and on Saturday last he played in the President’s Scramble and was in great form. A gentle giant of a man from Kerry he came to Waterford with two All Ireland medals, one in senior and one in minor. A very popular club man here in the Gold Coast, he will be deeply missed by his playing partners, Michael, Nicholas, Darren, Tomas and Pa and all the members of the club. The club was well represented at Mick’s funeral with a very large number of members forming a ‘Guard of Honour’. To Mick’s wife Margaret, daughters Caloline and Rachel and son Michael we offer our deepest sympathy. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam.
President’s Prize:
Brian Dunbar is the winner of the second major of the year following a pulsating contest which saw Brian snatch victory with a single point to spare over Roy Ware. It was close enough going into the second round on Sunday morning and with tough conditions prevailing nobody was willing to predict who the winner would be. Tom White posted a score of 40 points to take an early lead and many thought this would prevail, but Pa Queally and then Royco with a great score of 41 overtook the Dunhill man before another Dunhill resident in the final group on the course added a 39 to his 1st round score of 38 pts to secure the President’s Prize for 2018. The gross was won by Micheal White with Michael Lenihan taking the second gross.
It was a tough weekend for our President, losing his good friend of over 40 years during the week. Both Mick Ahern and President Mick Cronin were members of the Garda Siochana together and became great buddies during two very distinguished careers.
In his address on Sunday night he spoke of the friendships he had built since he joined the Gold Coast and he finished his speech by appealing to the members to ensure that the friendliness that prevails in the club be maintained at all costs. Down the years we have been very lucky here with all the Presidents we have had and we can easily say that Mick is up there with the best of them. Thanks Mick for a great weekend.
Special Prize for Blue Day:
Bob is sponsoring a special piece of Waterford Crystal which will go to the winner of the competition on the Blue Day, a day that we ask all members to wear blue to remind us of all the players who once played with us and who have gone to their eternal reward. The Blue Day will take place on Sunday 9th September.
Club Match-Play Competitions:
Gold Coast Cup Semi-Finals
Seanie Lenihan v John White
Tom White v Dave O’Connor
Matches to be completed by 31st August
Club Mixed Foursomes:
J J Quinn & Esther McGuckian v Darren Power & Patricia Doyle
Freddy McGuckian & Mairead Ryan v Michael Kavanagh & Noirin Darcy
Declan Kiely & Mary Kiely and Tom White and Angela O’Connor are thru to the semi-finals.
Michael White Foursomes Semi-Finals:
Austin Kiely & Darren Power v Ger Bagge & Tomas Wall
Seanie Lenihan & John Walsh are in the final.
Scratch Cup Match-Play:
Alan Harty v winners of Michael Lenihan v Derek Power
Eamonn O’Donnell v winners of Colin McArthur v Barry Power
Fixtures:
Tuesday 28th August: Open Seniors, Ladies & Gents 50+
Friday 31st August: Open Singles.
Saturday 1st Sept: Club Competition.
Sunday 2nd September: Bobby Buckley Memorial
Tuesday 4th Sept: Open Seniors, Ladies & Gents 50+
Results:
Tuesday 21st August: Open Seniors, CSS Gents 39 pts, Ladies 36 pts.
1st: Gerry Calfer (15) 41 pts, Waterford Castle
2nd: Finbarr O’Shea (22) 40 pts. Mahon
3rd: Gerry Morris (20) 40 pts Clonmel.
1st Lady: Mary Clancy (12) 36 pts
2nd Lady: Aisling Kiely (23) 34 pts.
Friday 24th August: Open Singles CSS 36 pts.
1st: Aidan Fox (9) 36 pts Clonmel
Fri 24th – Sunday 26th August: President’s Prize 2018, CSS Fri 36 pts, Sat 36 pts, Sun 36 pts.
1st: Brian Dunbar (15) 77 pts
2nd: Roy Ware (10) 76 pts.
Gross: Micheal White (2) 67 pts
3rd: Patrick Queally (17) 73 pts.
4th: Tom White (6) 72 pts.
2nd Gross: Michael Lenihan (2) 63 pts.
Best 1st Day: Kieran McCarthy (10) 40 pts.
Best 2nd Day: Colin McArthur (7) 39 pts.
Past President: Nicholas Fitzgerald (26) 68 pts.
High Handicap: Des O’Brien (20) 68 pts.
5th: Peter McArdle (16) 72 pts.
6th: David O’Connor (6) 71 pts.
2nd First Day: Rafael Alvarez (19) 37 pts.
2nd Second Day: Barry Power (5) 38 pts.
Guest: Mary Power (24) 27 pts Waterford.
Junior: John McArthur (15) 65 pts.
LADIES NOTES
Fixtures
10 hole ongoing
18 holes x 2 card comp sponsored by John Foley Photography starts 6th Aug
Sheila Norris match play, and club foursomes are underway, matches are on sheets in kiosk.
Ladies Club Classic:
3 Person Champagne Scramble.
Monday 10th to Sunday 16th September. Timesheet in operation, phone 058 44055 to book. Visitors €12, Members €8
Lady President’s Prize:
A popular President and a very popular winner added to the enjoyment of this year’s Lady President’s Prize. As always with Mary O’Callaghan everything was organised to perfection and despite an hour’s delay in the starting time all went very smoothly and credit to the ladies who helped out in the kiosk. Also thanks to Teresa and Ruth for their contribution for ensuring that all the results were ready in time and all players notified for the presentation.
Committee meeting Fri 7th September at 8pm
Get into golf: Lady members who participate in the roster please continue to turn up as rostered. Time is moved to 6.15 for 6.30 for light.
Results:
President’s Prize kindly presented by Mary O’Callaghan:
1st: Anne Keane (35 pts 41 pts.
2nd: Rosemary Murphy (12) 40 pts.
Gross: Mary Kiely (13) 27 pts Gross.
3rd: Breda Conway (26) 37 pts.
4th: Patricia Doyle (32) 35 pts.
Cat A: Ger Hallinan (21) 33 pts.
Cat B: Noirin Darcy (25) 33 pts.
Cat C: Joan O’Dea (38) 34 pts.
Back 9: Lorraine Troy (16) 18 pts.
Front 9: Anne McGrath (28) 19 pts.
Past President: Martina Corkery
Get into Golf:
1st: Mary Cusack
2nd: Julie Baker
3rd: Val O’Sullivan