MITCHELSTOWN GOLF CLUB
Last weekend saw the club host this year’s captain’s prize, kindly put up by captain Bernard Caffrey. It was played over two days, last Friday and Saturday. The man above and especially our late friend, Sean O’Brien was looking down on Bernie with good weather on both days, although the people that played Friday may have a different opinion, as the evening golfers got caught in a couple of bad showers. The last few weeks’ bad weather made the course very long and tough and the course manager Michael English had to reduce the course to preferred lies on the fairways and play as it lies everywhere else.
Bernard Caffrey’s Captain’s Prize 2017
On Saturday there were a few movers, noticeably Seanie Buckley, Vincent O’Donnell and John Hennessy all leading the way with 69s. There was a wide mix of handicaps from low to high and also a good representation from the Seanóiri club.
You could not have asked for a more worthy winner than John Hennessy. John is a regular in qualifying in the top twenty seven each year, but has never had the rub of the green until this occasion. Before John started his playoff, he said that he gets very nervous in the playoffs and falls away, but luckily for John all good things come to those who wait.
After an eventful two days of golf, all that was left was the presentation of prizes and the social evening. The overall winner with a superb 102.5 off 17 for 27 holes was John Hennessy. As John was presented with captain Bernie’s 1st place prize, he duly gave a short acceptance speech where he complimented Bernie on the superb prizes on the presentation table, he congratulated the course staff on the magnificent condition the course was in and he thanked his playing partners from the qualifying round, John Martin and Jimmy Drea and in the nine-hole playoff Sean Buckley and Vinny O’Donnell.
RESULTS
Second place went to Sean Buckley with 104.5 off 17 and 3rd to John Maguire with 104.5 off 5. Gross went to Stephen Slattery with 77 off 5, 4th went to Ned Finn 107 off 8, 5th went to Michael Fogarty 107 off 14, with 6th place going to Shane Flemming 108 off 8. Best past captain went to Michéal Hennessy, best qualifier was Vince O’Donnell, best junior Adam Gubbins, best senior Tom Cott and finally, best visitor Pat O’Callaghan.
CAPTAIN'S NIGHT
The proceedings started with secretary, Chris Ablett saying a few words about our captain in front of a very big turnout, which is a true testament to Bernie's likeability. Chris called upon president Kieran to speak and he congratulated Bernie on everything he has done within the club this year. Kieran thanked Bernie for accepting the captaincy, after the passing of his very dear friend Sean O'Brien who was to be this year’s captain.
But I'm sure Seanie would have been very proud of his friend and the way he has handled this new role, and as Bernie would say himself, he had big shoes to fill and he is delighted to have accepted the position of Mitchelstown Golf Club Captain. Kieran lastly said that he looks forward to working with Bernie for the rest of the year.
Chris then called upon lady captain Mairéad Perry to say a few words. Mairéad congratulated captain Bernie on a great weekend so far and wished him and his wife Brenda a great evening ahead. Mairéad thanked Bernie for all his assistance so far this year and said she was delighted to be a club officer in the same year as him. Mairéad went on to congratulate Bernie on being a fantastic captain and complimented him on the tremendous work he has done for the club throughout the year to date.
Captain Bernie was next to say a few words. Bernie addressed all the officers and welcomed the members to the Captain’s Prize presentation evening. He thanked Mairéad and Kieran for their kind words and also thanked his committee for the work that was put in to make this weekend so special. Bernie welcomed Sean O'Brien's sisters to our club to celebrate the evening with him.
Bernie thanked the ladies club and the banoiri club for the work they had done on the clubhouse in preparation for the weekend. He went on to tell the members what a privilege it has been being our club’s captain this year, especially following the list of names up on the past captain's board in the lounge.
He thanked course manager Michael English, Pat Murphy our head greenkeeper and his course staff in presenting the course in such a beautiful condition befitting such an occasion. Bernie thanked the club photographer Billy Murphy for attending the evening with his camera especially as Billy is a former captain himself, he also thanked the following for all their hard work over the weekend – Mike Lyons for keeping the timesheet up to date and sourcing his prizes and also helping behind the bar with both Kathleen and Mary on Saturday evening. Bernie also expressed his gratitude to the junior committee and all the volunteers for their assistance in running and coaching the juniors. Captain Bernie finally thanked Jennifer Hurley and her catering staff for the food on the night.
Bernie’s final words were for his wife Brenda and he thanked her for all her support over the years and then presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Finally, he wished all members and guests a great evening and hoped they would join musician Jimmy Drea as part of Kim's People for a sing-song into the early hours.
BERNARD CAFFREY'S CAPTAIN'S PRIZE TO THE LADIES
Run in conjunction to the men’s timesheet was a separate competition for the ladies. With a super turnout from both ladies club and banoiri club over the two days. This competition was run also in stroke format and from the red championship tee stones. With the course playing extremely long off the reds with preferred lies on the fairways due to the soft course conditions. There was exceptional scoring with Mary Kiely being triumphant in the end with 50 strokes playing off a handicap of 15 narrowly beating Catherine Kavanagh into second with 51 off 11, with gross going to the ever consistent Eithne Bermingham 61 off 15. Third went to Kate Biggane with 52 off 23. Congratulations to all prize winners.
CAPTAIN'S NOTE
As this year's club captain, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members for their very kind words, cards, gifts and for all the fantastic cakes I received over the weekend. To our chef, Jennifer Hurley thank you for your catering. To Pat Murphy and his green keeping staff, with limited staff and the grass growing faster than it was being cut, you set up a tough but fair course for all, and I take all responsibility for the pin positions. Thank you.
To the banoiri and ladies club a huge thank you for decorating the clubhouse and the beautiful flowers on display. To the juniors, thank you for playing the 12 hole competition on Saturday afternoon and congratulations to Adam Gubbins on winning the junior tournament.
To my wife Brenda thank you for being at my side all year and providing a listening ear when needed. To my men’s club committee, I will forever be in your debt for all your help and continued support since I became captain last November. Thank you. A special mention must go to Joanne Hunter for all her help in the office.
To president Kieran Dennehy and lady captain Mairéad Perry, thank you very much for your very kind words.
To all prize winners in all categories, congratulations and well played. Thank you one and all for a very special and memorable weekend. Captain Bernard Caffrey.
CLUB SINGLES MATCHPLAY
List of the semi-finals of this year’s singles matchplay draw to be played as soon as possible. This competition will be run off the blue championship stones. Junior captain Sean Leonard v Clem Leonard and Paul Foley v Shane Flemming or Michael Nevin.
PRESENTATION OF PRIZES
A presentation of all outstanding prizes was held as per club tradition last Friday evening by the incoming captain John O'Brien. After Friday's presentation, I am sure the club is in safe hands as John took to his new duties like a duck to water.
John thanked all our club sponsors and said he looks forward to their continued support for the coming year.
If you were unable to attend the presentation please contact Mike Lyons to collect your prize as soon as possible. All uncollected prizes will be reused if not collected.
CLUB MIXED MATCHPLAY
Matches to be played as soon as possible. Marcella and Gary Luddy or Geraldine Tarrant and Ger Harte. Deirdre and Clem Leonard await winners in this year’s finals.
CLUB FOURBALL MATCHPLAY
Matches to be played as soon as possible and off the blue championship stones. Stephen Slattery and Frank Murphy v John Courtney and Seamus Walsh, Tom Russell and Tristan Nolan v Oliver Walsh and Leonard Dowling.
CLUB FOURSOMES MATCHPLAY
Matches to be played as soon as possible and off the blue championship stones. Ned Finn and Adam Boland v Dave O'Connor and Michael Walsh winners meet Tommy Maher and Adam Luddy in the semi-finals, and Junior Captain Sean Leonard and Adam Gubbins await in this year’s final.
MEN'S CLUB RESULTS
Bernard Caffrey’s Captain’s Prize 2017: Gents Winner John Hennessy (17) 102.5; 2nd Sean Buckley (17) 104.5; 3rd John Maguire (5) 104.5; Gross Stephen Slattery (5) 77; 4th Ned Finn (8) 107; 5th Michael Fogarty (14) 107; 6th Shane Fleming (8) 108; Best Past Captain Michéal Hennessy (14) 70; Best Junior Adam Gubbins; Best Visitor Pat O’Callaghan; Best Seanoiri Tom Cott (18) 72; Best Qualifier Vince O’Donnell (17) 69; Ladies Winner Mary Kiely (15) 50; 2nd Catherine Kavanagh (11) 51; Gross Eithne Bermingham (15) 61 and 3rd Kate Biggane (23) 52.
Congratulations to all prize winners.
Sunday, August 27 Open Singles: 1st Morgan O’Sullivan (Ballyneety) (6) 38pts.
Result Wednesday, August 23 Open Qualifier sponsored by Walsh’s Pharmacy: 1st Jerry Ryan (Lisselan) (18) 41pts.
Results Tuesday Competition August 22, sponsored by Clem Leonard and Mike Lyons: 1st Michael Fogarty (14) 25pts.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
18 Hole Open Singles 1st – 3rd September.
Members are reminded that on this Friday and Saturday our normal weekend timesheet is only open from 7.30am to 10am. This is due to MBA Classic which takes place Friday and Saturday.
PRIZES
All those with prizes to collect please contact Mike Lyons (087-9118477) asap. Thank you.
JUNIOR CLUB
Sean Leonard's Junior Captain's Prize to the juniors will be held on the September 10th at 2.30pm. More details to follow.
The Fred Daly Munster Plate semi-finals opposition have been confirmed, and we will play Bandon GC at a time and venue to be decided at a later date.
Congratulations to Tristan Nolan who represented North Cork on a team of seven last Saturday in Cahir GC where they finished third overall.
The junior matchplay finalist have now been confirmed and should be a great game between Adam Gubbins and Adam Luddy. Best of luck to ye both in the final. Mitchelstown Golf Club wish all our juniors the best of luck upon returning to school this week and we hope you all enjoyed playing golf over the Summer.
SEANOIRI CLUB
Results of our Seanóiri outing on Thursday, August 24 are as follows: Winners – Eamonn McGrath, Maurice Bermingham and Denis Keane with 54.4 net; Second – Johnnie McCarthy, Tom Dwane and Pat McGrath with 54.4 net and third – Kieran Casey, John Seymour and Tomas O'Beara with 54.6 net.
Congratulations to John Hennessy on his great Captain's Prize win, Sean Buckley's close second and to Tom Cott for winning best senior on this occasion.
LADIES CLUB
Last weekend saw our men's captain Bernard Caffrey present his prize, congratulations to Bernard, his wife Brenda and all who contributed to make the weekend the success that it was. There was a very high standard of golf played over the 2 days so congratulations not just to the prize winners but to all who participated. The stresses and strains of the golf course were certainly danced away on Saturday night.
Presentation of prizes took place on Friday night which incorporated the presentation of the David O'Sullivan Memorial Cup. The club would like to extend a huge thank you to Deirdre and family for continuing to support this event so generously.
RESULTS
David O'Sullivan Memorial Cup – Ladies: 1st Monica McCormack (21) 33 points; 2nd Imelda Hyland (24) 33 points and Gross Siobhán O'Mahony (11) 20 gross points.
Men's Captain's Prize – Ladies: 1st Mary Kiely (15) 50; 2nd Catherine Kavanagh (11) 51; Gross Eithne Bermingham (15) 61 and 3rd Kate Biggane (23) 52.
MEMBERSHIP
Annual golf club membership is available both adult and juvenile. Please check club website for various rates. www.mitchelstown-golf.com Feel free to contact Joanne Hunter on 025-24072 between office hours of 9.30am-1.30pm Monday to Friday, if you have any questions.
SOCIETY & GOLF CLASSICS
Please note that for any golf society or golf classic, bookings and catering is available upon request. Call Joanne for further details on 025-24072 between 9.30am-1.30pm Monday to Friday. Catering will be provided if required by Jennifer Hurley.
