WWGC Weekly News May 7th 2023
Condolences – Jim Cooney RIP
It was with great sadness we learned at the weekend of the passing of our dear friend Jim Cooney. For twenty years, Jim cut the rough in West Waterford. A genius as a machine operator, Jim took great pride in maintaining the course to the highest standards. In his own quiet way he got on with his work leaving not a blade of grass out of place. He exchanged a wave as he passed on his tractor and enjoyed the occasional chat with his many friends. Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann. We extend our condolences to his wife Norah, Mark, Darren, James, Edwina and the extended family. May Jim Rest in Peace
Gents Notes and Results
Sat/Sun 6/7th May: Terra Nua 18 hole Singles
1st Gary Smyth (18) 37pts (b9)
2nd Richard Mahony (9) 37pts
Gross Luke Cummins (0) 32pts
3rd Pat Higgins (16) 36pts
Our weekend singles, kindly sponsored by Terra Nua, was a keenly contested affair. Played in difficult course conditions, a good back nine saw Gary Smyth emerge as the winner, just beating the in-form Richard Mahony into second on a countback. Congrats to all winners!
Wed/Fri 3/5th May: FBD Summer Open Qualifier 18 holes
1st Brian Collins (23) 42pts
Qualifiers:
Colm O’Callaghan (8) 36pts
Avril Noonan (35) 36pts
Gross: Gary Manning (6) 30pts
The first week of our FBD sponsored Open Qualifier series was a resounding success. Lapping the field with an outstanding score of 42pts was Brian Collins, taking the first prize. The Qualifiers from week 1 were Colm O’Callaghan, Avril Noonan and Gary Manning. Well done to all!
Tue 2nd May: Dungarvan Transport 9-hole Open
1st Kieran Power (6) 20pts
2nd Jack O’Donnell (5) 19pts
3rd Cathal Reilly (8) 18pts
Dungarvan Transport sponsored this week’s Tuesday 9-hole Open, with Kieran Power taking first prize with a score of 20pts.
Mon 1st May: Pat O’Doherty Manic Monday 9-hole
1st Stephen Walsh (8) 21pts (b3)
2nd Frankie North (9) 21pts (b6)
3rd Denis Looby (9) 21pts
The start of Summer began with the first of our Manic Monday Open 9-hole sponsored by Pat O’Doherty. In a hotly contested competition Stephen Walsh took 1st place with 21pts.
Gents Fixtures for the week ahead
Mon 8th May: Pat O’Doherty Manic Monday Open 9-hole
Tue 9th May: David Hayes Pro Shop Open 9-hole
Wed/Fri 10/12th May: FBD INSURANCE SUMMER SERIES (see below for details)
Fri 12th May: Murray’s Pharmacy Mixed Open 9-hole Scramble
Sat/Sun 13/14th May: May Monthly Medal sponsored by The Old Bank Dungarvan
Ladies Notes
Minor Team Clean Up at Home! On Tuesday afternoon West Waterford hosted Clonmel Golf Club in the second round of the Minor cup. While playing at home is an advantage, sometimes it can put more pressure on the home side! However our ladies were not daunted and the team of Finola Butler, Denise Nugent, Una Mulligan, Ciara Donnelly and Bridget Blackwell played lovely solid golf to record a fine win. Well done ladies. The next round will be against Tramore in Tramore. The visiting team were particularly complimentary about the condition of the course especially the greens and fairways. They were’nt so keen on the rough, just like the rest of us! Well done Morrie and your team and all the volunteers who help out around the course.
Mna Eile Qualifier: The first of the Mna Eile qualifiers kindly sponsored by Michael Dunne Accountants was played on Thursday. Now that we live in an era of Weather alerts some players cried off due to the forecast. However there was no stopping Eithna Ashby who whizzed around the course to return a score of 39 Points playing off 25. Eithna always plays a good round of golf. Closely following her was Mary Lou Carroll with a very nice score of 37 points playing off 18. Other qualifiers included Jean Conway, Mary Donnelly and Phil Kelly. We all have another chance to qualify on Thursday June 1st.
Jean Conway scores in the Renault Waterford 18 Hole competition: Sunday saw the introduction of Summer rules and a little bit of acclimatising was required! Jean Conway has always been a stalwart of West Waterford and in the Renault Waterford sponsored 18 hole stableford competition Jean played lovely golf. Playing off 22 she returned a winning score of 38 points. In second position we had our Handicap Secretary Jean O Donovan who had 34 points playing off 28. Jean has been playing very well of late and is a name to watch for the future. Mary Donnelly was returning after a long layoff but still managed to put a decent round together to take third place with 32 points. Mary plays off 22. Well done and thanks to our sponsors Renault Waterford
Mary Herlihy wins the Marie Curran sponsored ongoing 9 Hole competition: The April 9 hole kindly sponsored by Marie Curran attracted plenty of entries. In the end Mary Herlihy with a 9 hole handicap of 16 emerged a worthy winner with 37 points. Jean Conway again featured, this time with 34 points playing off her 9 hole handicap of 11. Ger Curran is a nine hole specialist and filled the third spot with 30 points playing off her 9 hole handicap of 17. Well done
Golfer of the Year: This year our Golfer of the Year league has a new look! One has to return a minimum of 30 points to even get on the league table! All our 18 hole competitions are counting and the winner will be judged on their 10 best cards. Even at this early stage the tension is building and I must say the co-ordinator is having great fun doing the calculations after every competition!
Challenge Cup Team in Action: On Sunday 14th May the Challenge Cup team enjoy Home advantage when we host Cahir Park golf club in the second round of the competition. Now is the time to get that all important practice in!
Get Into Golf Scramble: On Friday at 6.30pm the first running of a fun scramble for the Get Into Golf players takes place. All lady members are asked to support this competition. Good fun guaranteed.
What’s on this week!
Mon evenings – 6pm Mixed Fun Scramble Simply amazing prizes!
Weds & Fri – FBD Open qualifier for Ladies and Gents
Thurs 11th – Interlude 18 Hole Stableford GOY or 9 Hole Qualifier
Fri 12th – 6.30pm – Get into Golf Fun Scramble
May ongoing 9 hole competition kindly sponsored by Mary Herlihy
Junior Academy News
On Saturday evening 6th May, the sunshine brought our largest number of Juniors and Cadets to the course so far this year. It is wonderful to see our budding stars in action out on the course.
On the competition front, matches are being played in the Adult/Junior Matchplay, with some very impressive performances so far. Round 1 matches are to be completed by Sun 14th May, so a busy week ahead!
Once a few more J3 juniors obtain official handicaps, our Junior Golfer of the Year competitions will begin, probably not until June at this stage. June will also see the beginning of our Junior Matchplay Club Championship for the Pat Murphy Perpetual Trophy.
Seamus and Gary News
Our two touring professionals were in action this week. Seamus competed in the prestigious Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour and finished in a very creditable tie for 18th place. This leaves Seamus comfortably inside the top 30 on the FedEx Cup points list in 14th position. Seamus heads to the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas next week. Gary was back on European soil for the first time this year where he played the Italian Open at the Marco Simone GC, the venue for the Ryder Cup later in the year. Unfortunately, he missed the cut by 2 shots but is happy with where his game is at as he prepares for a run of tournaments in Europe over the coming months. Next week he is in the field for the Soudal Open in Belgium.
FBD Insurance Open Qualifier Series West Waterford are delighted to announce a new collaboration with FBD Insurance as they have generously agreed to sponsor a new competition in West Waterford open to Visitors and Members. It is open to Ladies and Men who hold an WHS golf handicap and will run every Wednesday and Friday. The final takes place on Friday September 15th with a very interesting first prize. You will get to play in Trump Doonbeg, Dromoland Castle and Galway Bay. The prize includes accommodation. West Waterford are very grateful to FBD Insurance for their generous sponsorship.
Calling All Golfers and Sports Fans – Do you want to go to the Ryder Cup? . For a mere €25 you and whoever you wish to bring along can go to the Ryder Cup EVERY day including the Opening Ceremony! The Ryder Cup takes place in Rome from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October. The package includes 5 nights Bed and Breakfast in an NH hotel in Rome, a Season ticket to the Ryder Cup including the Opening Ceremony, transfer to the course each day and a Flight voucher valued €500. Tickets are available on line, in the Clubhouse or from members. The draw will take place on Saturday 8th July. If you are not In, you can’t Win!.
Play and Stay Initiative with the Park Hotel.
West Waterford Golf Club is delighted to announce a new Play and Stay Initiative in collaboration with the Four Star Park Hotel. Ideal for those seeking a short golfing break in Dungarvan all you have to do is phone the Park Hotel or visit their website.to get the details.
West Waterford on Social Media
If you want the latest information on how Seamus and Gary are doing, or want to see the latest on West Waterford in general, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the places to be. Please follow us on social media and tell your friends as well!!
You can contact the office on 058-43216. For the winter months (Nov. – March), office hours will be 9.00am – 2.00pm (Mon. – Sun.)
Email info@westwaterfordgolf.com
For further information and golf bookings visit our website westwaterfordgolf.com
