COMPETITIONS ROUND-UP

MEN'S SECTION
John McLaughlin was the winner of the latest round of the Cathedral Finance Autumn Series which was played over the weekend of October 21 and 22.
He shot 40pts along with John McGeady (24) and Austin Shaw (10) but took the overall honours thanks to a spectacular back nine of 24pts having got out of jail on the seventh.
McLaughlin, who was playing off 23, had a mere nine points from his first six holes when he arrived on the seventh tee after blanking the par five sixth. The situation looked ominous when his ball ended up in the trees on the seventh but it was found within the three minutes allowed by one of his playing partners.
McLaughlin took full advantage of that break to bogey the hole for three points and it sparked a sensation run that saw him collected a massive 31pts over 11 holes.
The sizzling run included three-point pars at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 18th as well as three-point bogeys at the seventh, 11th and 16th and McLaughlin needed every point as he edged out McGeady by one on countback with Shaw four points back.
Having scored 10 points over the first six holes, McGeady almost matched McLaughlin point for point over the final 11 holes but he came up one short despite his haul including a four pointer for a par on the 16th.
McGeady took second overall while Shaw was the Division 1 winner with the in-form Andrew Shekelton (16) and Paul Culligan (30) winning the other two divisions. Conal Mullin claimed the gross prize with 32pts.
Eoin Murphy finished fifth in last week’s Inter-Varsity Championship which was held at Laytown & Bettystown. Playing for Maynooth University, the Harrington Scholar, went into the final round tied for the lead on six under with fellow Maynooth student Liam Abom after rounds of 69 and 67. However, things didn’t go so well in the final round as the Dundalk man shot a four over par 75 to finish on two under while Abom took the title after shooting 67.
Last Wednesday’s McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford was won by Gerry Farrell (30) who shot 41pts to finished two ahead of his nearest challenger, Gerry Campbell (27).
The Precision Cables Winter League is due to kick-off on the weekend of November 18 and 19 with registration open from November 1 to 13 in both the Bar and Pro Shop. Entry fee is €5 and the six round League will be run in conjunction with the normal weekly competition. Teams to be picked based on handicap categories to ensure fair spread.
Saturday, 21 October 2023 and Sunday, 22 October 2023 - Cathedral Financial Autumn Series Singles Stableford – Overall: John McLaughlin (23) 40/24pts, John McGeady (24) 40/23. Division 1: Austin Shaw (10) 40/20pts. Conall Mullins (6) 38pts. Division 2: Andrew Shekleton (16) 39pts, Kieran Reidy (19) 38pts. Division 3: Paul Culligan (30) 37pts. John McEneaney (25) 36pts. Gross Recognition: Conall Mullins 32pts.
Wednesday, October 25 - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Gerry Farrell (30) 41pts, Gerry Campbell (27) 39pts.
 
LADIES SECTION
The first of the six week Winter League was played on Saturday, October 21. The Tuesday competition was cancelled due to course closure.
Played over 14 holes, the winner, on countback, was Maura Coyle, with 26 points. Grainne Mullins was runner up.
The annual ladies committee outing with our neighbours and friends from Greenore took place on Sunday October 22nd. A lovely afternoon of golf in perfect conditions was followed by dinner in the clubhouse.
Incoming Lady Captain Mags Coburn has selected Noeleen Gernon as Lady President for 2024. Katie Rowland will be the Junior Girls Captain and Sally McDonnell is Lady Vice-Captain. Congratulations to all on their appointments.
Saturday, October 21 Winter League Week 1 - Maura Coyle (23) 26pts, Grainne Mullins (17) 26pts.