All competitions went ahead this week with much improved if not surreal conditions at the club. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic it was good to see members getting out and adhering to the measures put in place by the club to limit any risk of infection to everyone looking to get out and enjoy a round. We would like to thank all members and visitors for this as this could be the difference between the course staying open and closing.
Kicking off the week in style was the eagerly anticipated Shamrock Open which took on St Patrick's Day kindly sponsored by Hegarty's Home Interiors. Seventy competitors took part and it was the early risers who got the best of the day with heavy rain putting a bit of a dampener on things in the afternoon. While conditions were tough two golfers stepped forward and rose to the challenge with gusto. It was Cathal Mullan who won out going out in 46 and coming back in 44 with 5 pars beating Karl Scanlon in a card play off scoring a fantastic net score of 68. Well Done Cathal and Karl.
The gross prize went to Niall Campbell with a fantastic score of 77 off the stick. Making up third place was Sean Lamberton with a net score of 70 while the back nine prize was won by Liam Doherty having gone 14 shots better than his front nine of 52 with 38 shots registered on the home straight. Great shooting from all the prize winners.
Cathal Mullan 90 - 22c = 68
Karl Scanlon 88 - 20c = 68
Sean Lamberton 86 - 16c = 70
Gross. Niall Campbell
Back 9. Liam Doherty
The Thursday Society was got a good day weather wise. Played over 14 holes it was Keith Shiels who yet again galloped home with 31 points. A break of tie was needed to separate second from third with Tom Crossan edging out Eugene O'Connell on a count back.
Keith Shiels 31
Tom Crossan 28
Eugene O'Connell 28
The second big event of St Patrick's week at North West was the St Patrick's Open kindly sponsored by PD Plumbing Supplies which took place on Saturday. Another good showing saw 87 competitors take to the links in what was a strong field playing in much colder and windier conditions than the rest of the week.
One man stood out though and it was Competition Secretary Damian Griffin who took home the prize with a score of 38 points. Despite having three blanks on the card Damian managed 1 birdie and 10 pars to beat low handicapper Mathew Stainsby by 1 point despite a fantastic round from Mathew including 1 birdie and 12 pars. Fantastic shooting from both players.
With 8 players tied on 35 points for third place four pars and a birdie was enough for David Robb to squeeze through on a break of tie to take the last spot. The Gross prize went to Garrett Mallon with a cool 74 shots registered on his way around and the Visitor prize went to Francis Stainsby With a neat score of 78 shots and 35 points registered.
Damien Griffin 38 points
Matthew Stainsby 37 points
David Robb 35 points
Gross. Garrett Mallon
Visitor. Francis Stainsby
Rounding out the week on Sunday we had a confined stableford competition played in tricky conditions. Another good showing for this competition with 61 taking part. School was in session it seems, as it took 10 pars and 1 birdie from Kevin Cooley to win, teaching his playing partners a serious lesson in the process with a winning score of 41 points. Three points back on 38 Gerard Conaty took second place from John McConlogue on a count back. A score that could have won on any other day given the conditions. In the prizes for the second time this week was Mathew Stainsby hitting 14 pars to take the gross prize with 74 strokes. Looks like the Stainsby boys mean business.
Kevin Cooley 41 points
Gerard Conaty 38 points
John McConalogue 38 points
Gross. Mathew Stainsby
We would like to thank all who took part this week in what has been trying times. Remember social distancing does not mean you have to be anti social and if we all work together we will come out the other end.
Cathal Mullan receiving his Shamrock Open winners prize from Mathew Gleeson, Managing Director of Hegarty's Home Interiors, Buncrana.