TUSKAR ROCK

The recent A.G.M's of Tuskar Rock Golf Clubs took place at St. Helen's Bay complex, where the huge turnout of ladies and gents heard Managing Director Larry Byrne explain the new starting position for the Tuskar course.

This will bring the members and guests back to the existing clubhouse, which was the original location of the starting hole. This provides the Tuskar members and visitors with all the clubhouse facilities enjoyed by the members of the St. Helen's Bay clubs.

The membership of Tuskar Rock will continue to have their own identity and usual range of competitions, but will now also enjoy a social extension to their golf.

All those attending the A.G.M. had fulsome praise for the immaculate condition of the course, managed by Kevin Carroll and his staff. The move up to their new clubhouse facility was welcomed unanimously by the committees and members, and by the memberships of St. Helen's Bay Golf Clubs.

For 2010, members will pay €420 for the benefits of the new facilities. This is the sub from January, 2010, to December 31, 2010.

There will be a new committee room at the complex, and all social/prizegiving functions will be held in the existing St. Helen's clubhouse.

For more details, contact us on 05391-33234.

ROSSLARE LADIES

January 30, 14-hole Saturday fourball (seven pairs played): 1, Mary Halpenny (18/11) and Marie Garahy (23/14), 32 points.

February 2, 14-hole single stableford (lamb): 1, Mary O'Shaughnessy (20), 29 points; 2, Rita Kelly (33), 28 points; 3, Ann Redmond (27), 27 points (back seven).

A total of 36 ladies played, with the early morning players cancelling due to the rain.

ST. HELEN'S LADIES

Leonie Furlong continues her great form as she won the sweep yet again on Sunday last. Leonie is playing very steady golf and, in fact, seems to excel in the toughest of weather! Bernie Furlong is never too far from the leaders as she came in second, having been just beaten on the countback.

Weatherwise the weekend was one of two halves where Saturday was almost spring-like with very pleasant sunny weather. However, all players were reminded very sharply that the winter is not yet over as the wind chill weather penetrated all those layers of clothes!

Despite that, it was great to be out playing as the winter league heads towards the final rounds. The course is playing really well with the greens being in excellent condition.

Eleven-hole sweep: 1, L. Furlong (16), 22; 2, B. Furlong (23), 22.

BALLYMONEY

Thankfully the weekend weather held up well after the torrential rain of midweek and provided practically perfect conditions for golf on Sunday.

The sunshine from Saturday did not appear but, with very little wind to contend with, scoring was of the highest order.

A smaller than usual field took to the course on Sunday morning for a stableford competition, and some outstanding cards were returned as the day progressed.

Robert Kehoe (11), Sammy Walker (10) and Richard Temple (20) all scored 40 points and finished in that order on countback.

After one short week away from the prizes, Sammy returned to the podium with another excellent card, and Robert had to be at his best to hold on to first place.

Richard showed that higher handicappers can post good scores as well. Special mention must go to Thomas Byrne for his 39 points which probably would have been a winning score on most days.

Saturday next sees a v. par competition and hopefully a big turn-out. This format proved to be very enjoyable last year and should suit the low handicappers.

Spare a thought for the commitee members who will be checking scores while keeping an eye on Ireland's victory in the Stade de France!

COURTOWN

On Saturday evening next we will host our Amore night when there will be fantastic value on offer in the clubhouse, with dinner for two with a bottle of wine for the incredible price of just €60, so why not treat a loved one to a Valentine's night to remember? You will not be disappointed.

Once again we fell victim to some terrible weather during the past week, so the course had to be closed for both the Wednesday sweep and the very popular open Seniors on Thursday. Thankfully, things improved for the weekend so we were able to go ahead with the gents' twelve-hole singles on Saturday and Sunday, while we also completed one more round of the Winter League.

Results: 1, Jim Darcy (17), 29 points (last nine); 2, Tony Kinsella (11), 29 points (last nine); 3, Paddy Donohoe (8), 29 points (last nine); gross, Paul Kavanagh (7), 22 points.

Please check your e-mails etc. for times for this weekend's Winter League fixtures.

COURTOWN LADIES

The yellow team put in another good performance on Sunday last to remain leaders of the ladies' Winter League as they head into the final round on Sunday next. They held on to their good form and notched up another 45 points on Sunday last. They now have 252 points in the bag and are almost certain of a place in the final.

The race is now on for second place. Laura Funge's black team secured 45 points and they are now in a great position to reach the final as they have 228 points.

The red team, however, are just two points behind on 225 and look forward to battling it out for a place in the final.

We look forward to more good golf on Sunday, February 21, as the black and red teams hit the fairways for that place in the Azure-sponsored Winter League final.

ST. HELEN'S

We promised you a new approach to the social life in our clubhouse, and Saturday night last was evidence of this promise - a real variety evening out, where members, residents and locals mixed to enjoy a superb night of entertainment, all for the Haiti earthquake victims.

It started with a table quiz of seven rounds, broken up into two halves by the beautiful sounds of Megan and Callum O'Riordan. The table quiz had 14 tables where five or six teams contested and, with almost equal points all the way, a result was determined in the end by a tie-break round.

Sisters Joan Walsh and Carol O'Brien, assisted by staff member Nashir, conducted the 'brain teasing' part of the evening with uncontested efficiency.

The relaxing interludes provided by the music and singing of the O'Riordans brought us to the lively part of the programme. The line dancing troupe of eight dancers led by President John Codd and his wife, Mags, showed us how it is done for nearly 30 minutes, and then it was the turn of everyone in the audience.

It seems that the attraction of line dancing is far from dead, as an enthusiastic 40 or so men and women practiced their steps from a very capable teacher.

As it was so popular, special line dancing nights are now going to be organised over the forthcoming months.

Captains Frank and Jean O'Kennedy presented the quiz winners, the O'Riordan family with their prize. In second place was the team of Bernard and Esther Cahill, and Seamus and Mona McCormack who won the day when they kindly presented back to the charity. They thanked all who supported the event as well as those who entertained everyone.

Sunday, February 7, singles sweep stableford (eleven holes): 1, Martin Codd, 28 points; 2, James Morrissey, 27 points.

A great turn-out of 70 members braved the chilly north wind on Sunday last. Underfoot course conditions are improving which is reflected in the good scoring. Well done Martin on your first win this season.

Many thanks to everyone for supporting the Haiti fundraising event on Saturday last which raised €750 for this worthy cause.

Fixtures: Friday, February 12, Wine Friday competition; Saturday, February 13, Winter League round eight and singles stableford; Sunday, February 14, singles stableford.

See the club website - www.sthelensbay.ie

ENNISCORTHY

Last weekend's men's open fourball results over 14 holes with 3/4 handicap: 1, Tom Clince (17) and Pat O'Connor (16), 37 points; 2, Martin Sludds (5) and Dan Jordan (9), 36 points; 3, Maurice Donohoe (3) and James Morrissey (13), 36 points.

Senior gents' open singles takes place tomorrow (Thursday), while next weekend presents a men's singles 14-hole competition.

Pauline's Golf Society enjoyed near-perfect golfing conditions and weather on Saturday last, and we welcome Joe Cashman and the Tagmon Golfing Society this coming Saturday.

NEW ROSS SENIORS

There was a good attendance for the annual general meeting on Thursday last. With no play possible due to the heavy rain, there was plenty of time for discussion on the various rules and regulations pertaining to the Society.

Main points emanating from the meeting concerned the scoring arrangements where a three-person team had to take on the usual fourball. It was decided that the threesome would get an extra six points added to their total score, plus two more if all teams were to register on any given hole.

In inclement weather, the first team out shall have the privilege of limiting the competition to nine or 14 holes, but if any team completes the 18 they shall be declared the winners. Late arrivals (which shouldn't happen) will be catered for by the individual joining the last threeball or alternately if they are an equal number of fourballs, the last two shall split up in order to accommodate the late arrival, making 3 x 3 teams at the end of the list.

Home and away outings have been agreed with Carrick-on-Suir, Waterford and Faithlegg, while the Senior Alliance takes in Dungarvan, Carrick-on-Suir, Callan, Gold Coast, Waterford, New Ross and Clonmel.

The highlight of 2009 was our visit to the magnificent Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, and a return outing is in the offing for 2010. Slow play also got an airing which perhaps was aptly summed up by Kevin Treacy: 'there is no such thing as slow play - there are only slow players'.

WEXFORD

Now that St. Bridget's Day has passed, we are officially into Spring-time and golfers are beginning to pop up on the fairways like snowdrops. It started on Tuesday last when the Senior citizens came out of hibernation.

In the minor category (Under-64), John Walsh (18) waltzed home with 34 points from the 14-hole stableford competition. He set the standard with 23 points on the front nine. Jimmy Dempsey (17) was second, thanks to a birdie on the sixth hole which gave him 29 points.

Tom O'Donnell (20) won the senior wrinklies prize with 32 points, courtesy of four points on the 12th hole. Kevin Quigley (21) was second with 29 points.

Wednesday's single stableford was won by Paddy McGuire (15) with 34 points. A brace of birdies did his cause no harm. John Ffrench (18) was runner up with 33 points.

All 18 holes were in play for the Spring Alliance tournament on Friday. Pat M. Murphy (11) was the victor on a countback with 37 points, closely followed by John Conroy (12), also with 37 points. A rare birdie on the 14th got him the silver medal spot. Mark Goodison (4) came third with 36 points, just pipping F. Thomas on a countback.

Mark was in the winners' enclosure on Saturday. Partnered by Ray Cullinane (12) in the 14-hole fourball, they cruised home with 37 points. Tommy Hynes (12) and Ray Murphy (20) came second with 34 points.

The lambs were hunted again on Sunday in the 14hole v. par competition. Paul Hammond (9) and Mick Nolan (17) were 6 up on the back seven, and finished all square at the turn.

This was enough to deprive John Walsh (18) and Michael Byrne (21) of the top spot as they also finished with 6 up. Tony Pierce (14) and Brendan Martin (19) were in third place with 6 up.

ROSSLARE

Two competitions were played in Rosslare last weekend, and for a change weather conditions were perfect.

On Saturday the 14-hole competition was won with an amazing score of 40 points. The winners were Stan Jackson (12) and Colman Doyle (16). Second on 37 points were Frank Doyle (11, New Ross) and Niall Doyle (9), with Liam McNamara (2) and Jim Kielthy (16) on 36 points.

On Sunday there was a three-man team event with two scores to count at each hole. Again there was a fabulous score of 73 points. Leading the way were Pat Rossiter (11), Michael Rossiter (17) and Robert Rowe (19), with Martin Buggy (14), Francis Cullen (19) and Rich Howlin (18) second on 68 points, two points ahead of Paud O'Brien (2), Micheál O'Brien (9) and Eddie Mahon (12) in third position.

With the season fast approaching, members are looking forward to 18-hole competitions, club matchplay and inter-club matches. On Sunday, March 14, John Kelleher and Eleanor Wardlaw will officially start the season when they drive into office at 5 p.m. This will be in conjunction with an 18-hole competition.

The Pettit, Walsh and Gaynor Cups will start shortly after this and already managers are placing sheets on the noticeboard for anybody wishing to represent the club in inter-club events. All in all, everything augurs well for an exciting golfing year.

On Sunday next, the second round of the Winter League takes place and competitors are asked to make sure of their playing slots.