Brian Fox’s Captain’s Prize – A Weekend to Remember
They say nice things happen to nice people, and when Brian Fox stepped up on Sunday evening to announce the winner of his 2026 Captain’s Prize, the room’s reaction said it all. Mark Coles, a man as well known for his generosity to the club as for his tenacity in sticking with golf, was a thoroughly deserved and warmly celebrated champion. As recently as last October, he had come close to walking away from the game entirely. A chance encounter with swing coach Stephen changed everything, and just eight months later, he stood at the pinnacle of his club’s golfing calendar. It’s a reminder, if one were needed, that patience and perseverance are as important as any club in the bag.
Thursday – The Scramble That Started It All
Brian’s Captain’s weekend got off to a flying start on Thursday evening with an impressive turnout for the mixed 9-hole fun scramble, followed by finger food and plenty of good company. The spoils were shared between Colm O’Callaghan, Ann Hogan, and Pat Curran — the latter a late call-up who proved himself a super sub. For Colm, this may have been his Masters Par 3 moment. The curse had been set in motion.
Friday – Sun, Scores, and a Few Raised Eyebrows
The weather gods were generous to the early starters on Friday afternoon, and despite Philip’s best efforts to make life difficult with some testing tee and pin positions, the scoring was anything but disappointing. Young Matthew Henly led the way with a superb 46 points, while fellow newcomer Shane Harnedy was not far behind on a brilliant 42. Colm O’Callaghan, riding the crest of his Thursday form, treated his playing partners to what they could only describe as an exhibition of golf, finishing on 41 points. Sean Tobin, meanwhile, slipped in quietly with a really solid score.
Saturday – Battling the Elements
The weather took a turn on Saturday, but that didn’t stop a few crafty performers from posting decent numbers. Most notably, Mark Coles arrived in rather late in the afternoon — some might say suspiciously late — with a composed 40 points. Perhaps early morning tee times aren’t his natural habitat.
Sunday – The Main Event
Sunday morning opened with a mixed 9-hole for the ladies and for those men who shall remain nameless — the ones who hadn’t quite managed to find their best golf during qualifying. Then, at 1pm sharp, Tony’s shotgun sent the top 50 qualifiers off around the West Waterford fairways, with more than a few hoping the leaders would wobble under pressure.
By around 4:30pm, as scorecards flooded in, the conversation grew lively. Patsy O’Donnell and Shane McCarthy made strong late runs to claim a category prize and the best final day score respectively. Ronan Culloo — no stranger to pressure, as anyone who has watched his Sunday morning fourball can attest — held firm for his category prize. Eoin Conway, who has been playing some of the best golf lately, took the Gross prize. And Diarmuid Horgan, reportedly having torn up his pre-written acceptance speech at the eleventh hour, held off the previous Captains to claim their prize with a smile.
At the top of the leaderboard, it came down to a very tight finish. Mark Coles posted another polished 40 points in tricky, windy conditions to edge out Sean Tobin and Colm O’Callaghan — confirming, once and for all, that there may indeed be a pre-event scramble curse. Matthew Henly backed up his Friday heroics with another excellent second round to claim the runner-up spot.
The evening’s formalities were warm, heartfelt, and — lengthy. Club President Ciara Donnelly paid generous tribute to Brian, acknowledging the commitment and energy he has brought to the role, and the notably positive atmosphere he has helped foster around the club. Brian, for his part, did not disappoint. His address to members — rumoured to have surpassed even his wedding speech in duration — took in the founding giants of the club, the many volunteers and contributors making a difference today, and the support of his committee, fellow Directors, and management team. He also extended a warm welcome to the travelling supporters who crossed the county boundary to cheer him on.
And finally, with characteristic sincerity, Brian thanked his family: wife Lorraine, Róisín, Ogie, and — with a special mention across the miles — Aisling, her husband Sam, and baby Clodagh in Australia.
What a weekend…..
Results:
1st Mark Coles 80pts; 2nd Matthew Henley 83pts, Gross Eoin Conway 70pts, 3rd Sean Tobin 80pts
Cat 1 (0 -12) Colm O’Callaghan 79pts, Cat 2 (12 – 20) Patsy O’Donnell 74pts, Cat 3 (20 – ) Ronan Culloo 77pts.
Best Qualifying: Shane Harnedy 42pts; Best Final Day Shane McCarthy 38pts
Past Captain Diarmuid Horgan 74pts, Junior Keelan Cotter 60pts, Visitor: Mick McCarthy (Gold Coast) 37pts
Mixed 9-hole: 1st Mary Lou Carroll 22pts, 2nd Frances Carroll 21pts, 3rd Una Mulligan 21pts
9-hloe Scramble (Thurs); 1st Colm O’Callaghan, Ann Hogan & Pat Curran. 2nd Joan Nugent, Seamus Lambert & Conor Blackwell
Inter-club competitions: Senior Cup team lose out to Faithlegg
Our Senior Cup team were unfortunately eliminated from this year’s competition on Saturday afternoon, going down 3-2 to Faithlegg. Well done to Eoin, Darragh, Luke, Philip and David for putting in a great effort and proudly representing the club. Attention now turns to the next round of the Barton Shield on July 11th at Tipperary GC.
The Inter-Club competitions continue, however, with our Pierce Purcell team taking on Bandon GC at home next Saturday at 3pm in the Munster East semi-final. It’s a great achievement to reach this stage of the competition, so let’s get out and support them on Saturday afternoon.
Competition Results
Munster Seniors Open 18-hole Stableford
25th June; 1st William Phelan (Cahir Park GC) 41pts; 2nd Owen O’Keeffe (Cahir Park GC) 41pts 3rd Ciaran Bolton (Cahir Park GC) 38pts
Men’s Tuesday Treats 9-Hole Open
23rd June: 1st: Mark Coles, 25pts; 2nd: Craig Flynn 22pts.
Ladies 18-hole Stroke GoY / Medal Sponsored by The interlude
1st: Ann Hogan 64net. 2nd Jean Conway 70net. 3rd Margaret O’Sullivan 73net.
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
- 30th June Tuesday Treats Open 9-hole competition
- 1st & 3rd July Al Eile Qualifier – 18-hole Stableford Open
- 4th / 5th July Club 18-hole competition.
Ladies Fixtures
- 2nd July Mná Eile Qualifier (GoY) Sponsor: The Local
- 5th July: Joan Curran Memorial (GoY) 18-hole Stableford. (Ladies put your names on draw sheet in Ladies locker room)
- 2nd – 5th July 9-hole qualifier
- July ongoing 9 hole, sponsored by Marie T Curran.
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.
Finally, Congratulations to Desmond Curran on winning a Gold Medal in soccer, with Munster, at the Special Olympics competition in Dublin recently.
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.
