Brian Fox’s Captain’s Prize
Captain’s Prize week is one of the highlights of every golf club’s calendar, and this year West Waterford Golf Club celebrates its Captain, Brian Fox, in style. A proud ‘Norrie’ Brian made the move across the border more than 36 years ago and has well and truly made the Valley his home. In the decades since, he has quietly and consistently woven himself into the fabric of this community: contributing to local schools, supporting the West Waterford Food Festival, giving his time to Brickey Rangers GAA Club, and more recently bringing that same energy and commitment to West Waterford Golf Club.
Whether it is organising men’s golf, lending his carpentry skills in an emergency, putting in hours on the golf course as a volunteer, or cheering on our inter-club teams, Brian approaches every task with equal enthusiasm and vigour. He is exactly the kind of person every club is fortunate to have.
To Brian, we say a sincere thank you — for your contribution to this club and to this community. We hope you, Lorraine, and your family enjoy a wonderful and memorable weekend. And we have no doubt that a good number of Rebels will be making the journey across the border to cheer you on and participate in the festivities — you are very welcome, every one of you. As for the weather, we will leave that to the man above — and we trust there will be no need for the squeegee on Sunday morning!
The Weekend Schedule
Brian’s Captain’s Prize weekend gets under way on Thursday evening with a fun 9-hole mixed scramble, with finger food in the bar afterwards — a great way to start the celebrations in good company.
Qualifying for the Captain’s Prize itself begins on Friday afternoon and continues through Saturday, with all members encouraged to take part in what is one of the most prestigious competitions of the club year. On Sunday morning, the ladies & gents who don’t qualify will take to the course for their own 9-hole competition, before the leading qualifiers contest the final round of the Captain’s Prize, shotgun start at 1pm. Best of luck to all who compete, and above all, best of luck to our Captain Brian. We hope it is a weekend to remember.
Brian’s Captain’s prize details – Men
- 25th Brian’s Captains Prize 9-hole mixed scramble (shotgun start at 6pm), followed by finger food, wine & beer. Make sure your names are booked on BRS before Thursday lunchtime.
- 26th / 27th Brian’s Captain’s Prize qualifying (Blue tees,/ stableford) Names on BRS by Thursday, for partners draw on Thursday evening.
- 28th Brian’s Captains prize final round (Shotgun start, 1pm), followed by BBQ.at 6pm.
- 28th Brian’s Captains prize, 9-hole for gents not up to qualifying for main event ladies (9am – 10:30am).
Brian’s Captains prize details – Ladies
- 25th Brian’s Captains Prize 9-hole mixed scramble (shotgun start at 6pm), followed by finger food
- 28th Brian’s Captains prize, 9-hole for ladies (9am – 10:30am).
Heartbreak in Cork for Our Mixed Fourball Team
Sunday evening brought heartbreak for West Waterford Golf Club’s Mixed Fourball team, who were narrowly eliminated in a dramatic playoff at Cork Golf Club, ending what had been a fantastic run in the competition.
After a closely fought contest, the teams could not be separated at the end of regulation, finishing level at 2–2. It went to a playoff, and it was local knowledge that ultimately proved decisive, as the home side claimed the extra hole and with it, a place in the next round.
It was desperately hard luck on a team that gave everything on the day — David and Mary Lou, David and Ciara, Denise and Conor, and Mark and Una. Sincere thanks also to Aisling, Mary, Lauren, Paul and Mark, who all made valuable contributions throughout the run in this competition. A special word of appreciation to team manager Bridget, whose organisation and dedication ensured the team arrived at every fixture prepared and ready to perform.
However, the Inter-Club competitions continue, with our Senior Cup team playing Faithlegg at home next Saturday evening at 4:30pm. Sop please come along and support the lads.
Munster Under-16 Boys’ Championship
On Friday 19th June, West Waterford Golf Club had the honour of hosting the Golf Ireland Munster Under-16 Boys’ Amateur Open Championship, welcoming 120 of Ireland’s finest young golfers to the course. The championship has a proud history of producing top talent — past competitors include Tom McKibben, who has since gone on to compete on the DP World Tour and LIV Tour — and the standard on display on Friday was a reminder of just how bright the future of Irish golf looks.
The morning brought challenging conditions, with torrential overnight rain prompting a two-hour delay to the start. Our own Anthony O’Donnell had the distinction of leading the field off the tee, doing so in the most difficult conditions of the day. The final scores reflected the split in conditions — those who played in the morning rain faced a considerably tougher test, and it was the players from the second half of the draw, who benefited from improving weather as the sun broke through and the wind eased, who dominated the leaderboard.
Congratulations to winner Justin Dennehy of Douglas Golf Club, who carded a superb two-under-par 71 to claim the title. Sean Sheeran of Kilkenny Golf Club finished in second place with a one-under-par 72, and Nazar Buhera of Kinsale Golf Club took third with an even-par 73. Hard luck also to Rory McKeown of Dungarvan Golf Club, who also shot an excellent 73 and just missed out on a podium place on countback.
Finally, a very special word of thanks to our greenkeeping staff and all the volunteers who worked so hard in the weeks leading up to the event to prepare the club and course to the highest standard. The feedback received from Golf Ireland officials was extremely positive, and it is a credit to everyone involved that West Waterford Golf Club was so warmly praised for both its preparation and its hospitality on the day.
In the meantime, the inter-club’s action continues next weekend, with the Senior Cup team taking on Faithlegg GC at 4:30pm at home. We wish the lads the best of luck.
Competition Results
Al Eile Open Qualifier — 18-Hole Stableford
17th June: Cat1 — Luke O’Rourke 36pts Cat2 — Cian Culloo, 40 pts; Cat3 — Rita Eivers (Co. Meath GC), 41pts; Gross — Philip Spratt, 33 pts.
Men’s Tuesday Treats 9-Hole Open
16th June: 1st: Sean Cotter, 24 pts. 2nd: John Corbett 23pts.
Men’s Monthly Medal
20th / 21st June 1st: Conor Morrissey (1) 72net 2nd: Ronan Foley 74net. Gross Timmy Murphy, 75
Ladies 18-hole Stroke GoY / Medal Sponsored by The interlude
1st: Ann Hogan 64net. 2nd Jean Conway 70net. 3rd Margaret O’Sullivan 73net.
Ladies 9-hole Qualifier
18th – 21st June: 1st: Bridget Blackwell 23pts
Ladies 18-hole Stableford GoY sponsored by the Park Hotel
17th – 21st June: 1st Mary Lou Carroll, 41pts; 2nd Nora Flynn 37pts; 3rd Margaret O’Sullivan 36pts
The Seanóirí
The popular Monday morning fun scramble continues at 10:30am each week, with entry just €5, including tea and coffee in the clubhouse afterwards. All members are warmly encouraged to take part.
Men’s Fixtures
- 23rd June Tuesday Treats Open 9-hole competition
- 24th Al Eile Qualifier – 18-hole Stableford Open
- 25th – 28th Brian’s Captains Prize (details above)
Ladies Fixtures
- 25th – 27th 18-hole Stableford GoY, Sponsored by Centra Youghal Road
- 25th – 28th 9-hole qualifier (limited tee times on Sunday)
- 25th – 28th Brian’s Captains Prize (details above)
- June ongoing 9 hole, sponsored by Mary Herlihy
Buy a Brick — Youth Academy & Driving Range Appeal
The club’s “Buy a Brick” fundraising campaign continues, supporting the development of a new Youth Academy and Driving Range facility. Full details are available at the clubhouse notice board, the pro shop, the club website, or through any member of the management committee. This is a project that will benefit members, families, and the wider West Waterford community for years to come. The club encourages all members and supporters to get involved. West Waterford Golf Club also continues its Play & Stay partnership with the 4-Star Park Hotel Dungarvan. For details, contact the hotel on 058 42899. Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and fixtures.
