The lack of golf due to the weather this weekend didn't put a damper on the Ladies Christmas Social on Sunday. The social was held as usual in the clubhouse. The proceedings began with lady Captain Marie Keane welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming.She then presented all outstanding prizes including Golfer of the year which was won by Ella Grennan. The Elvery Trophy was presented to Sinead Power with Mary Horan getting the runners up prize. The Golf Ireland medals were presented, with lady vice captain Veronica Mc Cormack getting the silver medal, Mary Horan the bronze and Ella Grennan the junior. The presentation was followed by a lovely meal served by Siobhain Foxe with the help of her daughter Lauren. All present were in great form and there was plenty of chat.

The Winter league and Turkey competitions continue depending on the weather. 

The ladies club AGM is on Tuesday 5th December at 7pm in the clubhouse.

The only action shot we have this weekend is greenkeeper Shane Nugent doing his best to open up on Sunday. Unfortunately the frost won!

RESULTS - Turkeys Week 5 (13 hole stableford) 3/12/2023: 1^st Bernard Browne (21) 31pts.

COMPETITIONS – Turkeys Week 6 over 13 holes runs from Monday 4^th to Sunday 10^th December. Please note each time you win a category -2 comes off your next score with category runners up deducted -1. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap.  

SEERY’S CASH & CARRY 2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League scores continue to come in and we now have 31 teams. We might also have another team, if we can find 3 more to go along with new member Martin Hogan who thought he had a team but actually hasn’t. Let Anna know if you want to join him on Team 32. Team 8 (Mike Hiney) stay top after a quiet week of activity due to the cold snap on 440pts with Team 13 (Sean Bohan), moving up to 2^nd with 434pts and Team 11 (Sean Dunne) on 417pts now 3rd. Noel Ryan (Team 19) are this weeks top climbers going up 4 spots to 5^th but Team 21 (Philip Dalton) have a slight setback slipping down 3 to 24^th.

AGM’S 2023 – The Mens AGM is on Monday 11^th December at 7pm and the Management AGM is on Sunday 17^th at 3pm. Further details will follow in due course.

COURSE CORNER – With the very cold and wet conditions it is more important than ever to take care of the course when we do get to play. Please continue to take your sand bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Also it would be great if you can sprinkle the available sand and seed on the temporary tee boxes. Finally please remove your footprints from the bunkers.

MATCHPLAYS – Unfortunately the weather played havoc this week with the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays. The pairs final and singles semifinals were all on the timesheet but had to be postponed. Due to holiday and of course Christmas commitments it is now likely to be early New Year before we get those played off.  

MIDLANDS INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE – The alliance Christmas outing is being held at Mullingar GC on Sunday 10^th December with tee times from 10-12. We look forward to seeing some of you there.  

ANDY’S ARCHIVE – This week my random selection comes from a Westmeath Independent dated 9/8/1902, a Leinster Reporter dated 2/12/1905 & then we leap forward to an Offaly Independent from 14/6/1952.

1902 – Lawn Tennis. The Garden Vale (Athlone) Open Tournament will be held on the Club Grounds on Monday, August 18^th, and following days. There will be the usual Handicap Events, and also Championship Singles for the Longworth Cup, at present held by Rev. R. M. Gilbert. Entries Close on Friday, August 15^th, with J.P. Hodson, Twyford, Athlone.

(Rev. R.M. Gilbert was obviously a keen sportsman as he was also an active member of Moate Golf Club in its early days and served on the Committee.)

1905 – (segment only) A concert was given under the patronage of the Clara Town Improvement Association. It was up to date, well arranged and with one or two exceptions, very high class. Part one was a selection of Irish airs on the Irish Union pipes by Master Tommy Russell who was loudly applauded and encored. The inimitable Mr. A.H. Harrington was as mirth provoking as ever, his debut as Sandy Macpherson being a fine effort. He was very ably assisted by the Misses Flossie and Kitty Handy.

(Arthur Henry Harrington, born 1841 was retired from H.M. Civil Service in India and lived in the Ballycumber area. He served on Committee at Moate Golf Club in 1900.)

1952 – Tullamore Open Golf meeting. From Monaghan, the county of the little hills, to Wicklow, the county of Towering Peaks; from the Shannon and the Suir, the Blackwater and the Bann; from the Donegal Highlands to Cork’s own town beside the lovely Lee, in fact from every county in the Republic and the North, including the very exclusive clubs of Dublin, 600 enthusiastic golfers came to Tullamore for the great Whit open meeting. Selected results: Men’s 4 Ball v. Bogey – Rev. Fr. Callan (14) Portmarnock and J. MacCann (12) Headford, 10 up; W. Boulger (20) Moate and T. Griffin (18) Moate, 7 up; P.A. Wrafter (12) and J.F. Wrafter (12) 7 up; W. Conroy (6) The Heath and J. Moriarty (13) The Heath 7 up.

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

RESULTS - Turkeys Week 4 (13 hole stableford) 26/11/2023: 1^st Cat 1: David Digan (4) 31pts, 2^nd Cat 1: Adrian Hiney (0) 28pts, 1^st Cat 2: Sam Moran (13) 33pts, 2^nd Cat 2 : Eoin Ryan (11) 32pts, 1^st Cat 3: Robert Ryan (17) 34pts, 2^nd Cat 3: Willie Colgan (15) 34pts, 1^st Cat 4: Danny Conlon (19) 33pts, 2^nd Cat 4: Johnny Mullally (21) 31pts.

COMPETITIONS – Turkeys Week 5 over 13 holes runs from Monday 27^th November to Sunday 3^rd December. Please note each time you win a category -2 comes off your next score with category runners up deducted -1. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap.

SEERY’S CASH & CARRY 2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League scores continue to come in and we now have 30 teams with rounds commenced and we’ve had rounds from people who aren’t even on teams! Maybe we’ll get them to form a team between them. Outgoing Mens Captain Mike Hiney (Team 8) stay top on 440pts and Sean Dunne (Team 11) have 417pts in 2nd. Sean Bohan (Team 13) move up 3 positions to take 3^rd.  Last weeks rocket boosters Vinny McCormack (Team 24) stall the engines and fall 7 places to 17^th on 204pts. If they are not careful the weeks high climbers led by the departing President Dom Fitzpatrick (Team 26) will catch them. Dom’s side are now 19^th on 157pts.  

AGM’S 2023 – The Mens AGM has been moved to Monday 11^th December at 7pm and the Management AGM is on Sunday 17^th at 3pm. Further details will follow in due course.

COURSE CORNER – With the very wet conditions it is more important than ever to take care of the course. Please continue to take your sand bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Also it would be no harm for a few to sprinkle the available sand and seed on the temporary tee boxes. Finally if you wouldn’t mind raking your footprints after you’ve been in the bunker that would also be much appreciated.

MATCHPLAYS – We are nearly there in the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays for 2023. I’m not sure when Vivian Lynam & Noel Mulligan have arranged their singles semi-final for but I do know that Callum Dunne and  Sean Egan have pencilled in next Friday. In the Scotch Foursomes Mike Slevin & Kevin Mitchell bowed out to Vinny McCormack & Donie Glynn on Sunday. Bert Burke & Liam Galvin are next up for the Ballymore men in the final.

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

(Photos courtesy of Noel Ryan)

RESULTS - Captains Drive Out Scramble (Mike Hiney & Marie Keane) 19/11/2023: 1^st Jimmy Bradley, Ted Cleary, Johnny Mullally, Carmel Carroll (6.4) 57.6 nett, 2^nd Sean C. Connell, Willie Colgan, Theresa Cleary, Liam Reynolds (8.3) 57.7 nett, 3^rd Adrian Hiney, Kevin Fogarty, Paul Browne, Carmel Coughlan (6.8) 58.2 nett.

Turkeys Week 3 (13 hole stableford) 18/11/2023: 1^st Cat 1: Tommy Digan (5) 27pts, 1^st Cat 2: George Digan (10) 30pts, 1^st Cat 3: Kevin Fogarty (17) 34pts, 1^st Cat 4: Kevin Duffy (23) 33-2 = 31pts.

COMPETITIONS – Turkeys Week 4 over 13 holes runs from Monday 20^th to Sunday 26^th. Please note category winners are -2 and category runners up -1. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap. There are still a few of you not adhering to this.  

DRIVE OUT GALLERY (1)  

SEERY’S CASH & CARRY 2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League scores continue to come in as all 27 teams are up and running. In the early jostling for the top spot Mike Hiney (Team 8) are on 322pts and have leapfrogged Sean Dunne (Team 11) who have 300pts. Brian Costello (Team 14) also does a swap with Mossy Collins (Team 9) for 3^rd & 4^th spot and they are on 281pts and 271pts respectively. This weeks rocket boosters are Vinny McCormack (Team 24) who are up 12 to 10^th while slipping down the greasy pole to 12^th from 6^th are Ron Beattie (Team 20). Padraig Keenan will have the full table up on the website in due course. Teams of 4 play a minimum of 5 rounds per player. You can play as many rounds as you like and all 4 team members’ best 5 rounds will count to the overall total. The top 15 teams will qualify for the final along with 1 wildcard team which will be drawn from all teams 16^th and upwards who have 4 players with 5 rounds each as a minimum. All rounds cost €5. It’s not too late to form a team and join in.

2023 CAPTAINS DRIVE OUT – The Captains Drive Out (Mike Hiney & Marie Keane) on Sunday 19^th November was a fantastic success and given the conditions we had a great turnout with 24 teams. As always we had a couple of late withdrawals which was unfortunate but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment as we said thank you to our Captains. Well done to Mike & Marie on a great year.  We are all looking forward to our new full time catering  team arriving next March, but in the meantime it was great to see the clubhouse hopping and our thanks to Siobhain Foxe who provided todays catering services.

COURSE CORNER – With the very wet conditions it is more important than ever to take care of the course. Please continue to take your sand bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Finally if you can also rake your footprints after you’ve been in the bunker that would also be much appreciated.

MATCHPLAYS – We’ve had a little more progress in the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays as we attempt to have them completed in 2023. In the singles Vivian Lynam is to play Noel Mulligan in one semifinal and in the other one Callum Dunne meets Sean Egan who has knocked out Eoin Ryan. In the Scotch Foursomes Mike Slevin & Kevin Mitchell are still to play Vinny McCormack & Donie Glynn with Bert Burke & Liam Galvin waiting for the winners in the final.

DRIVE OUT GALLERY (2)

ANDY’S ARCHIVE – This week I have two more pieces from the newspaper archives and they were sourced from an Irish Press dated 28/7/1967 and a Westmeath Examiner of 29/6/2002 showing some Moate members in the prizes at Athlone GC.

1967 - “For the first time the South of Ireland golf championship will begin at Lahinch in July. A switch has been made with the Interprovincial Championships and the handicap limit has been reduced to seven. The result has been a drop of 42 compared with last year’s record entry of 240, which called for an almost dawn to dusk play. The qualifying round will be played on Monday, from which Joe Carr (Sutton), the holder, and current internationals Vincent Nevin (Limerick) and E. Higgins (Cork) are exempt. (Draw excerpt) 1.01 – J. McCluskey (Castletroy), T. P. O’Brien (Moate) T. O’Brien (New Ross)”

2002 - “18 Hole Fourball Stableford Thurs 30/5/02: 1^st nett Eddie Miley (Roscommon GC) (8) and Gay Sheeran (15) (Carrick-on-Shannon) 41pts; 2^nd nett: Ger O’Kennedy (5) and bill Kennedy (12) 40pts (last 9); 3^rd nett Eamonn Kelly (11) and David Kelly (6) 40pts (last 9) 4^th nett: B. O’Meara (Moate GC) (14) and M. Sheridan (Moate GC) (19) 40pts. Open Week Singles Stroke 1/6/02: CSS = 74. 1^st nett: Michael Carroll (Moate GC) (22) 69 nett (on back 9) 2^nd nett; Marc Butler (4) 69 nett; Gross: James Joyce (3) 76; 3^rd nett: Tom McEnroe (17) 70 nett; Class A: J D Joyce (5) 73 nett; Class B: Des Rushe 72 nett: Class C: M. Keogh (19) (Moate GC) 75 nett. ”

CAPTAINS DRIVE OUT GALLERY (3) 

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

Photos courtesy of - Mike Hiney, Sean Egan, David Delaney, Andy Dunne, Martin Horan

Please let Andy Dunne (086 055 6336) know if you are unavailable - or if you want to play - as we have 1 team of 3 now. Check in by 10.30 with shotgun start at 11am. (Updated 18/11 @ 19.20)

RESULTS Turkeys Week 2 (13 hole stableford) 12/11/2023: 1^st Cat 1: Jimmy Bradley (6) 29pts, 2^nd Cat 1: Bert Burke (7) 29pts, 1^st Cat 2: Micheal Kelly (9) 30pts, 2^nd Cat 2: George Garvey (11) 29pts, 1^st Cat 3: Mossy Collins (15) 33pts, 2^nd Cat 3: Jimmy Dolan (15) 33pts, 1^st Cat 4: Kevin Duffy (23) 37pts, 2^nd Cat 4: Miceal Fox (19) 33pts.

Sadly, this nasty piece of damage to the 2nd green was the only photo I was sent from the weeks play. Suffice to say any one caught damaging a green like this will face disciplinary action. 

COMPETITIONS – Turkeys Week 3 over 13 holes runs from Monday 6^th to Saturday 18^th as the Captains Drive Out Scramble is on Sunday 19^th. please note category winners are -2 and category runners up -1. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap. There are still a few of you not adhering to this.  

SEERY’S CASH & CARRY 2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League is absolutely flying with 27 teams now entered. All those teams have registered scores already. The new leaders are Team 11 Sean Dunne 244pts, closely followed by Team 8 Mike Hiney 241pts, and Team 9 Mossy Collins 219pts. Biggest upward movers are Team 2 JJ Guinan from 20^th to 7^th while Team 3 Declan Murphy in 19^th slips 11 spots. Teams of 4 play a minimum of 5 rounds per player. You can play as many rounds as you like and all 4 team members’ best 5 rounds will count to the overall total. The top 15 teams will qualify for the final along with 1 wildcard team which will be drawn from all teams 16^th and upwards who have 4 players with 5 rounds each as a minimum. All rounds cost €5. Entry sheets are still available in the shop and we have room for plenty more.  

2023 CAPTAINS DRIVE OUT – The entry sheet for the Captains Drive Out (Mike Hiney & Marie Keane) is in the shop and now has 66 names on it so we still have a few places. The team / tee draw will be published on Friday night so make sure your name is on the list before then. Shotgun start at 11am on Sunday 19^th November.  

COURSE CORNER – Please continue to take your sand bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Finally if you can also rake your footprints after you’ve been in the bunker that would be great.

MIDLANDS INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE – Co. Longford Golf Club was the venue this weekend and the winners were; Cat 1 – 1^st James Kenny (Glasson) 43pts, 2^nd Oran Dunne (Moate) 41pts, 3^rd Michael Mullen (Longford) 40pts. Cat 2 – 1^st Frank Daly (Athlone) 42pts, 2^nd Noel Dunne (Moate) 41pts 3^rd, Eddie King (New Forest) 40pts. The next outing is at Mullingar GC on Sunday December 10^th with tee times from 10-12. New members are welcome and all enquiries should be directed to Ciaran on 086 805 32023 or Paddy at 085 248 5177.

MATCHPLAYS – We’ve had more progress in the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays as we attempt to have them completed in 2023. In the singles Mike Hiney lost to Vivian Lynam in a thriller on the 19^th and Vivian now meets Noel Mulligan in one semifinal and Callum Dunne awaits the winner between Sean Egan and Eoin Ryan. In the Scotch Foursomes Mike Slevin & Kevin Mitchell are to play Vinny McCormack & Donie Glynn with Bert Burke & Liam Galvin waiting for the victors in the final.

ANDY’S ARCHIVE – This week I have two more pieces from the newspaper archives and they were sourced from a Westmeath Independent dated 29/9/1928 and a Westmeath Examiner of 6/8/1988.

1928 - “Guard Fitzpatrick is at present at Miltown Malbay where he is spending a few weeks holidays.” This relates to Guard Francis Fitzpatrick stationed in Moate in the 1920’s and he was a Moate GC member.  

1988 - “On Sunday next, Moate Golf Club hosts its’ Lady Presidents Prize. This is traditionally a very exciting day for Moate’s lady golfers. The Lady President Dorrie Flynn, from Ballymahon will be on hand on Sunday night to present her prize and a large entry and keen competition are expected. On Sunday evening, the male of the species will be allowed back onto the course, but only in the company of a female guardian, for a mixed foursomes competitions. All varieties are, of course, welcome to the presentation of prizes on Sunday night in the clubhouse, and the ceol agus craic which will follow.”

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

John Finerty in action on Sunday. 

RESULTS Turkeys Week 1 (13 hole stableford) 1^st Cat 1: Adrian Hiney (0) 29pts, 2^nd Cat 1: Colm Farrell (8) 29pts, 1^st Cat 2: Paddy Coyne (12) 28pts, 2^nd Cat 2: Brendan Daly (11) 27pts, 1^st Cat 3: Sean Egan (15) 30pts, 2^nd Cat 3: Denis Cronin (17) 29pts, 1^st Cat 4: Mick Behan (20) 35pts, 2^nd Cat 4: Mark Devery (22) 33pts.

Nicky Grennan and David Delaney were out for 13 holes on Sunday.

COMPETITIONS – Turkeys Week 2 over 13 holes runs from Monday 6^th to Sunday 12^th November. Please note category winners are -2 and category runners up -1. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap.  

SEERY’S CASH & CARRY 2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League is off and running with 22 teams entered so far. All but 2 of those teams have registered scores already. The early pacesetters are Team 6 Andy Dunne 124pts, Team 8 Mike Hiney 109pts, Team 11 Sean Dunne 104pts and Team 15 Willie Ganly 100pts.  Teams of 4 play a minimum of 5 rounds each. You can play as many rounds as you like and all 4 team members’ best 5 rounds will count to the overall total. The top 15 teams will qualify for the final along with 1 wildcard team which will be drawn from all teams 16^th and upwards who have 4 players with 5 rounds each as a minimum. All rounds cost €5. Entry sheets are still available in the shop and we have room for plenty more.  

2023 CAPTAINS DRIVE OUT – The entry sheet for the Captains Drive Out (Mike Hiney & Marie Keane) is in the shop with 37 names on it so far. Let’s swell that number by getting your name down. Shotgun start at 11am on Sunday 19^th November.  

The 1st and 7th on Sunday. 

COURSE CORNER – Please continue to take your sand bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Finally if you can also rake your footprints after you’ve been in the bunker that would be great.

How in all conscience could any golfer leave unrepaired divots like this? Especially when seeded sand bags are provided. It only takes 2 seconds to do this. 

MOATE TIDY TOWNS - Moate Tidy Towns have asked us to enquire if any of our members have old golf trolleys, usable but not being used, that could be donated to them to assist in their work while collecting rubbish. If you are able to donate an unwanted but working golf trolley John Galvin is the Tidy Towns Chairman and they have an office now in the town.

INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE – Co. Longford Golf Club is the venue next Sunday (12^th November) and tee times are available from 10-12. New members are welcome and all enquiries should be directed to Ciaran on 086 805 32023 or Paddy at 085 248 5177.

MATCHPLAYS – We’ve had some late progress in the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays as we attempt to have them finished off in 2023. In the singles Mike Hiney will now play Vivian Lynam with the winner meeting Noel Mulligan in one semifinal and at the other end of the draw Sean Egan or Eoin Ryan will play Callum Dunne. In the Scotch Foursomes we now have our semifinalists. Mike Slevin & Kevin Mitchell play Vinny McCormack & Donie Glynn with Bert Burke & Liam Galvin facing Terry Powell & Andrew Rafferty.  

ANDY’S ARCHIVE – This week I have two more nuggets from the newspaper archives and they were sourced from a Westmeath Independent dated 8/3/1969 and an Irish Independent dated 4/12/1972.

1969 - “There was a good attendance at the annual general meeting of the Golf Club on last Wednesday night. The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, Mr. William Lynam; Captain, Mr. Alfred Dodd; captain-elect, Mr. Noel McLoughlin; hon. Sec. Mr. Noel Mcloughlin; assistant hon. Sec. Mr. Sean Mimnagh; hon. treasurer Mr. Joseph McLoughlin; committee, Messrs. S. Manning, A. McLoughlin, T. O’Brien, A. Mitchell, P. M. Brady, J. McLoughlin, P.C. Lynam, P. Ryan and L. Cox. At a committee meeting later, votes of sympathy were passed with the Adamson family on their recent bereavement and with the daughter of the late Mr. William Coogan, who was a loyal member and also trustee of the Club for many years.”

1972 - “Tommy Halpin (Naas) shot a round of 69, one under par, to win the gross prize from an entry of 90 in the Midland Alliance December outing at Tullamore yesterday. In good playing conditions scoring was quite good and Halpin had only one shot on the former Irish boy champion John Carey (Roscrea). In the nett section six finished under the par of 70. Gross – 69 T. Halpin (Naas), 70 J. Carey (Roscrea), 72 L. Dooley (Roscrea), 74 P. O’Connor (Edmondstown). Nett – 64 P. Cloonan (9) Tullamore, 66 M. O’Riordan (5) Athlone, 67 K. O’Halloran (8) Moate, E. Buggy (7) Tullamore, P. Norton (8) Newlands, 69 M. Tallon (8) Athlone. January 14, at Birr.”

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

Photos courtesy of Mike Hiney & Andy Dunne

The 16 hole competition played on Oct 15th sponsored by Patricia Mc Cormack was won by Mary Horan (24) with 39 pts. Carmel Carroll (23) was runner up with 34 pts. On Wednesday 25th Marie O'Donaghue sponsored the competition, Beth Dunne (19) won with 33pts & Esther Hynds (47) was runner up.

The ladies Winter League & Turkey competitions are now being played. Both competitions may be played any day of the week. They may also be played in conjunction with each other & with any other competition.  Entry for the Turkey competition is €3 per round. Entry for the Winter League is €5 for the 1st round & €3 for subsequent rounds. When playin the Winter League, 5 cards must be submitted between now & the 31st December. A draw for teams will then be made.

The ladies Christmas Social is on Sunday 3rd December. The ladies club AGM is on Tuesday 5th December.

RESULTS – Tuesday Club sponsored (Stableford) 29/10/2023: 1^st Overall – Mark Devery (22) 43pts, 1^st Cat 1 – Jimmy Bradley (7) 40pts, 1^st Cat 2 – Brendan Daly (11) 41pts, 1^st Cat 3 – Sean Egan (16) 40pts, 1^st Cat 4 – Thomas Kerrigan (19) 38pts, Ladies 1^st – Claire Varley (29) 40pts.

Bert Burke and Jamal Sabir playing in the Tuesday Club Competition at the weekend. 

13 Hole Weekly (Stableford) 29/10/2023: 1^st – Mark Devery (22) 31pts, 2^nd - Martin Horan (17) 31pts.

Martin Horan, Andy Dunne and Mary Horan also playing in the Tuesday Club Competition at the weekend. 

Nick Linnane & Co. Thursday Open (Stableford) 26/10/20/23: 1^st Sean Egan (16) 41pts.

COMPETITIONS – On Monday 30^th October we have our last 18 hole competition of the season and we thank T Na G Hair Salon for sponsoring the event. From then on its 13 hole Turkeys (Monday 30^th Oct. to Sunday 5^th Nov.) and Seery’s Cash & Carry Winter League rounds which can be played any day too. As we will be playing off the yellow tees for the winter months please ensure you use the correct handicap.  

2024 WINTER LEAGUE – The Winter League will start this week. Teams of 4 play a minimum of 5 rounds each. You can play as many rounds as you like and all 4 team members’ best 5 rounds will count to the overall total. The top 15 teams will qualify for the final along with 1 wildcard team which will be drawn from all teams 16^th and upwards who have 4 players with 5 rounds each as a minimum. All rounds cost €5. Entry sheets are now in the shop and we have just 7 teams so far.

2023 CAPTAINS DRIVE OUT – The entry sheet for the Captains Drive Out (Mike Hiney & Marie Keane) is in the shop. Shotgun start at 11am on Sunday 19^th November.  

COURSE CORNER – Please continue to take your sand Bags for repairing divots and a pitch mark repairer for the greens. Finally if you can also rake your footprints after you’ve been in the bunker that would be great.

MOATE TIDY TOWNS - Moate Tidy Towns have asked us to enquire if any of our members have old golf trolleys, usable but not being used, that could be donated to them to assist in their work while collecting rubbish. If you are able to donate an unwanted but working golf trolley John Galvin is the Tidy Towns Chairman and they have an office now in the town.

2023 GOTY – After an epic battle that went right to the wire it looks like Ciaran Lynam is the 2023 Golfer of the Year with a total of 479pts. Jamal Sabir was just 5pts behind and made a real fight of it. In fact both scored points in the last 7 events on the bounce. Eoin Ryan 413pts, Nicky Grennan 396pts and Tommy Digan 358pts round off the top 5 for the time being**. **Although the Match Play scores are not included no one still involved can catch the top 2.

Jamal Sabir and Ciaran Lynam

MATCHPLAYS – Some long overdue elimination texts went out tonight in one final attempt to get the Keenan Bauer Scotch Foursomes and Shay Murtagh Precast Club Matchplays finished off in 2023. In the singles Mike Hiney will now play Vivian Lynam with the winner meeting Noel Mulligan in one semifinal and at the other end of the draw it looks like Sean Egan or Eoin Ryan will get to play Callum Dunne. I’ll update the Scotch Foursomes by next week. These got away from us this year but the shocking lack of effort in getting some matches played won’t be tolerated in 2024.

ANDY’S ARCHIVE – This week I have three items from the newspaper archives and they were sourced from a Westmeath Independent dated 30/11/1940, an Irish Independent dated 23/7/1960 and a Kilkenny People of 3/7/1998.

1940 - “About 150 members of Moate L.S.F. attended the parade at Athlone on last Sunday. The ‘A’ Group was under the command of Group Leader D. Daly, Adjutant, T.F. Plunkett, Section Leaders, E. Molloy, PJ Heffernan, J. Fielding and J. Nally while the ‘B’ Group was in the charge of T. Langrell, Group Leader; Section Leaders J. Brady, L. Cunningham and K. Yorke. About 55 members of Group A were in uniform. The members intend to hold a Church Parade some Sunday in the future.” Among those named above Mr. L. Cunningham and T. Langrell were prominent members of Moate Golf Club.

1960 - “The engagement is announced and the marriage will take place on August 24 (D.V.) at St. Patrick’s Church, Moate, between Noel, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. O’Connell, Stradbally, Co. Laois and Mona, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Cox, Moate, Co. Westmeath.”

1998 - “Rathdowney Golf Club results: Fourball – 1. N. Kenny, D. McInerney (Castlecomer), 8 up; P. Jacob, E. Byrne (Moate), 6 up, 3. J. Lyng, S. Delaney, 6 up; 4. J. Coady, M. Coady, 6 up.”

Regards,  

Andy Dunne 

Moate Golf Club 

Hon. Secretary & P.R.O 

(Photos courtesy of Mike Hiney, Martin Horan & Andy Dunne)