New Ross Golf Club

17 January

“When the going gets tough-the tough get going”. That was the story from last Thursdays outing when we were treated to mixed weather conditions. From early mist to sunshine, then on to sleety rain accompanied by a bitter south easterly wind meant an unpleasant finish for most of the 15 teams. But as usual all enjoyed their fun game without which the week would not be the same. The exemplary spirit and organisation of our outings is second to none and when you have an 88 year golfer in the person of Michael Martin being one of the first to book in each Thursday that says it all about the seniors group. Win, lose, or draw it makes no difference-it is the taking part that counts among your friends and colleagues.
The going was certainly tough last Thursday with heavy underfoot conditions after all the recent rains. Even with preferred lies in operation on the fairways and in the rough scores were extremely hard to come by. For the first time in many weeks no team reached the magical figure of 90 points deemed necessary to be in the winners enclosure. However, Joe O Farrell (14), Luke Power (18), Johnny Vereker (23) and Tony Sexton (24) made a valiant effort to emerge the day’s victors with a score of 88 points. Pipped at the post, only a point behind on 87, were John Roche (16), Willie Whitty (16), Dick Cahill (16) and Jamesie Wallace (19). The third spot went to Sean Murphy (13), Tommy Tyler (14), Pat Traynor (18) and Martin Burke (23) with 86 points. Nearest the pin prizes were won by Noel Kehoe (9 Hole) and Tommy Tyler on the 11. A warm welcome was extended to Mick Malone who joined us for the first time last Thursday-there was no signing on fee involved. Our usual outing next Thursday Jan 24 with the draw at 10-40 sharp-no late comers will be accommodated in future.

10 January

“From the little acorn grows the mighty oak” and the very same sentiment could be applied to the New Ross Seniors group. From the time it was started way back in 1996 by Kevin Treacy, Luke Power, John Delaney and a few others it has grown rapidly in numbers down the years. The social aspect of the weekly outings cannot be over emphasised as it gives great enjoyment to so many retired people able to play golf in the autumn of their life.
As the great Sam Snead once said, “Golf is a game that be enjoyed from 8 to 88”-and how right he was. For over 15 years our group of veterans gather every Thursday to enjoy to the full the unique camaraderie, loyalty, and a sense of being welcome among the ranks. Their tee shots may have shortened, and their iron play as well but this not take one whit away from the enjoyment the group gets from their game of golf each week. We play our competition simply for fun and nobody is worried whether they are on a winning team or not-it’s the participation among friends that counts. Each week there is never only a point or two between teams-so it shows the fairness of team selection. A player may only come in a couple of times on the score card and yet could still be on a winning team-that is the beauty of our Thursday game and long may it continue that way.
The weather outlook looked bleak as we gathered last Thursday morning with the rain pelting down. But once again the Gods were on our side as the rain cleared and the sun appeared to give us a lovely day for golf. The underfoot conditions were heavy but with placing everywhere and playing off the forward tees scoring was once again quite good. Taking the honours in first place on 92 points were Jim “Ross” Ryan (16), Richie Aylward (17), Tom Murphy (18), and Jim “Dublin” Ryan (20). In the runners-up spot on 90 points came Jimmy Furlong (9), Bob Dwyer (18), Michael Vaughan (22) and Tony Sexton (24). The 88 points carded by Willie Kelly (16), Luke Power (17) Jamesie Murphy (22) and John Vereker (23) whose 88 points was sufficient to claim third place. Nearest the pin prizes went to Seamus Bradley (9 Hole) and Jim “Dublin” Ryan on the 11. Usual outing next Thursday (Jan 17) with the draw at 10-40 sharp.

3 January

Our first outing of 2013 was held in spring like conditions last Thursday with temperatures way above normal for the time of year. All the cobwebs hanging over from the Christmas period were brushed away as 13 teams got back into the swing of things and high scoring was once again the feature of the day. With new handicaps pertaining to the Seniors group in operation for the first time they seemed to work rather well too. Our handicapping system means there is never only a point or two between the first three teams in the winners enclosure. Organisation and co-operation between all our players means that we are a very well organised group enjoying to the full the friendly camaraderie and our game of golf each Thursday. Full marks to all who facilitated the green fee golfers who were on the course last Thursday by not impinging on their rights of enjoyment-that’s as it should be.
With placing everywhere on the course the 90 point target was again surpassed by the first three teams home. Taking the honours with a fine score of 94 points were Pat Whelan (16), Patsy Farrell (17), Michael Brennan (19) and Larry Doyle (19). Pipped at the post carding 93 points came John Kennedy (13), Willie Naddy (18), Martin Burke (23) and Tony Sexton (27), that team winning the Titleist balls. It was a dead heat for third place but a count back over the last six holes meant that Joe O Farrell, (14)Fr Ger O Brien (17), Peter Goggin (17) and Mick Martin (32) were officially given the nod for the third prize. Nearest the pin prizes went to Pat Whelan (9) and Willie Byrne (11 Hole).
A warm welcome was given to the aforementioned Michael Martin and all were delighted to see him back with us again. Also, we welcomed an addition to our ever expanding ranks when Jim Kehoe joined us for the first time. We have our usual outing next week with the draw at the usual time of 10-40 a. m. sharp.
New Year greetings and many thanks go to all the golf writers both local and national for the excellent coverage they gave to all our activities throughout 2012-it was much appreciated by the New Ross Seniors group.