Dear Member.

The top score at the Portmarnock Links last week-end was a modest enough 36 points resulting in George Corrigan winning the O’Flaherty/Mooney sponsored outing. George won with a handsome margin of five points separating him from second placed Kieran O Connell on 31 points and Kevin Maher with 30 points securing third place.

The scoring looks pretty average when compared to the results for this seasons outings. However when you take into account that the Portmarnock Links teamed up with the wildest weather conditions that we have experienced in many years it amazes me that anyone managed to return a card that reflected a score .

Putting, driving even staying upright was an achievement. If this had been a professional outing I have no doubt they would have stayed in the clubhouse and refused to come out.

Playing in George Corrigans fourball, I witnessed at first hand how he actually made light work of the front nine with a superb 22 points. He had to work a lot harder on the back nine to produce a further 14 points to eventually give him the winning score. His ability to drive the ball into storm force winds and get both distance and accuracy was a pleasure to watch.

Our thanks to Stephen and Joe for their sponsorship at the Links and for the great prizes that were hard fought for by all of the winners.

THE RESULTS.

Winner      George Corrigan      36 points
Second       Kieran O’Connell     31 points
Third          Kevin Maher             30 points

Class 1      Conor Dalglish          29 points
Class 2     Jim Dalton                 29 points
Class 3     Derek Emerson         24 points

Front 9    Stephen Ward            15 points
Back 9     Louis O’Carroll            14 points

NTP         Sean Guirke

Two’s   Kieran O Connell and Philip McGowan

THE PLAYER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. Sponsored by Sean Guirke and Murphy & Gunn.

This years winner Sean Guirke should have stayed in bed and let the elements beat off the opposition. The conditions made it virtually impossible for anyone to post a score that could challenge Sean Guirkes combined total for the season which saw him win by a comfortable margin of seven points over Shay Fleming and Philip McGowan. Sean has waited fifteen years to reclaim this trophy having won it in the 10th. Anniversary year. He has been runner up in the intervening years no less than four times.

Murphy & Gunn and Sean Guirke are now the sponsors for this event. Sean has crossed the river to join Murphy & Gunn and can now be found at the Rathgar branch extolling the virtues of driving off the forecourt in one of the magnificent Hyundai range of cars available at Irelands foremost Hyundai dealership.

SINGLES MATCHPLAY COMPETITION. Sponsored by Plunkett-Kirwan Solicitors.

Winner            Tony Judge
Runner up       David Cassidy (RD)

THE FOUR-BALL MATCHPLAY COMPETITION. Sponsored by Plunkett-Kirwan Solicitors.

The final has been delayed due to one of the combatants being temporarily indisposed.

Andy Flynn & Philip O Donoghue  V.  Vincent Clarke & David Cassidy (SC)

Our thanks to Plunkett-Kirwan Solicitors who are the sponsors for the Match-play competitions.

THE HOLE IN ONE TROPHY. Sponsored by Clarke & Co
Our thanks to Vincent for his continued sponsorship of this event that has managed to elude all but three members over the past 25 years.

THE GALLERY
Check out Philips pictures from the Links. Not surprisingly they are all indoors. I wonder why?

THE COMMITTEE.

On behalf of the members I wish to thank the committee for a great effort in making this year one of the most successful in the history of the society. In particular I would like to thank Philip McGowan who has been a long serving committee member and has filled many roles with distinction during his time on committee. Gabriel Pollard who has served for the past three years and has worked tirelessly at outings to ensure their success. Derek Erskine past captain and another long standing committee member who has worked on your behalf over the years. Regretably they will not be seeking re-election at the end of the current season.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE?
This is now your opportunity to make a positive contribution to Clontarf Castle golf society. Please contact me if you are interested in filling one of the positions that will become available on the resignation of the aforementioned. Please contact a member of the committee if you are interested in contributing to this great society.

A NIGHT AT THE INDIGO

We have a great night planned for Friday the 6th December at the Indigo Bar for you and your partner. Kick off at 7.30pm. Food will be served at 8.30pm. Billed as a swing and dance night we will have live music and song featuring the hits of Frank Sinatra. We would like to indicate numbers attending to the catering team at Clontarf Castle please RSVP to Hon Sec ASAP!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM will take place on Thursday the 16th. January 2014 at 8.00pm sharp

Yours sincerely

Michael Brennan
Honorary secretary.