Mannan Castle Golf Notes: High scores aplenty in 2023 renewal of PJ McArdle Cup

The PJ McArdle Cup took centre at Mannan Castle. PJ was one of the main founder members of the club and is always fondly remembered. It saw a great turn out in changeable weather conditions over both days.

The winner of the PJ McArdle Cup 2023 was Gene McEnroe. He shot a brilliant score of 42pts, with a back nine of 23pts, which included a two on the 12th.

Second place went to Trevor Markey on the count back with a score of 40pts. Trevor is having a fine year so far and he could be the one to watch with the majors just around the corner.

Conor Fegan finished third with a score of 40pts. He showed his consistent side with no less than 11 pars in his round. This competition is open to men and ladies, but no ladies featured in the winner’s enclosure. The presentations will take place at a later date.

PJ McArdle Cup 29th/30th April: 1st Gene McEnroe (PH.17) - 42pts, 2nd Trevor Markey (PH.14) - 40pts c/b, 3rd Conor Fegan (PH.11) - 40pts.

The winner of the open singles on April 27th and 28th was won by young Daire Martin. Taking time out from his studies, Daire played a wonderful round of golf, shooting a score of 41pts which included two 2s.

Runner up was Andrew Clarke who also had a score of 41pts. He should count himself unlucky to have only been beaten on the count back.

Thursday /Friday Open 27th /28th April 2023: 1st Daire Martin (PH.10) - 41pts c/b, 2nd Andrew Clarke (PH.17) - 41pts.

A scramble event took place over the May Bank Holiday. This relatively new format to the club is a favourite for most.

The duo of Luke and James McGeown took home first prize with a score of nett 63. Derek Donnelly and Paul Shannon shot a score of nett 64 to finish second. Third prize went to Val Donoghue and Liam Morrissey with a score of nett 65.

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MANNAN CASTLE SENIORS

Weather and course conditions were very good for the weekly Seniors’ 9-Hole Competition. A large field were anticipating scores to match the conditions, but they failed to materialise. All winners on the day were taken by surprise by the scoring.

Seniors’ secretary/treasurer Joe Mullen was the overall winner on countback with 18 points, thanks in part to a fortuitous par on the first and a birdie 2 on the 17th. This followed a double and triple bogey on the previous holes.

In category one Philip McGovern was the winner, carding 18 points with four excellent pars. In category two, Richard Rountree was victorious thanks in large part to a birdie on the par 5 fourth, followed by a par on the following hole.

Seniors Result Tuesday 2nd May (9-hole handicap): Overall: Joe Mullen (10) 18pts c/b. Category 1: Philip McGovern (5) 18pts. Category 2: Richard Rountree (11) 17pts.

MANNAN CASTLE LADIES

Steady and consistent play produced this week's winning round for Geraldine Finnegan. She scored points on every hole, with three pars in the middle of the round boosting the scorecard.

A strong round came from Loraine Delkos, who got off to a flyer by parring three of the first four, then making a birdie on the difficult par 4 7th hole. Despite a blip on the back nine, Loraine's 34 points earned her 2nd place.

A single point behind, Brianan Kingham displayed some wonderful golf over her round and but for some bad breaks on the back nine she would have been higher up the leaderboard. Congratulation to the winners and well played everyone.

Many thanks and much appreciation to this week's sponsor, our friends in Crock O' Gold Jewellers, Carrickmacross.

18 Hole Stableford (Sponsored by Crock O’ Gold) 3rd May 2023: 1st Geraldine Finnegan (20) 36pts, 2nd Loraine Delkos (15) 34pts, 3rd Brianan Kingham (18) 33pts.

We don’t play too many 9-hole competitions in Mannan Castle, but recently we had the ladies Ulster R&A 9-Hole Qualifier.  

Marie Finnegan was the runaway winner. She played fabulous golf, three bogeys, four pars and a birdie on our third hole before an unfortunate blip on the ninth hole, saw her finishing with 19pts. Marie needn’t have cared, as she finished well ahead of the field.

She now goes forward to represent Mannan Castle with the winner of the corresponding men’s competition in the Ulster R&A 9-Hole Challenge Regional Qualifier (Killymoon) on Monday June 19th.

Ulster R&A 9-Hole Qualifier -5th May 2023Winner: Marie Finnegan (6) 19pts.