A busy and mixed weekend for the Portsalon teams in action as the golfing season begins to gather pace.
Joe Hensey and his Donegal Seniors were 4-1 winners away to Nairn & Portnoo on Friday evening, with a healthy 20 holes lead setting them up well for the return at home.
On Sunday, Daniel Shields and the Pierce Purcell team went down 2.5 to 1.5 against Strabane, while on Monday Enda McElhinney's Jimmy Bruen side also bowed out, losing on the second playoff hole against Greencastle after a 2-2 draw.
Better news for Sean Canning and the Ulster Cup hopefuls, with an opening win over Portstewart GC setting them up to face Portnoo in a split-venue encounter this Friday,
May 9th.
Club Results
Wednesday April 30th
Winner: Shane McNamee (17) – 46 pts
Runner-up: Garrett Horkan (30) – 43 pts
Gross: Jamie Foley (Scr) – 36 gross pts
Third: Matthew McLaughlin (21) – 39 pts
Saturday May 3rd
Winner: Enda McElhinney (15) – 45 pts
Runner-up: Thomas Cullen (14) – 40 pts
Gross: Michael Shiel (3) – 33 gross pts
Third: Dave Hughes (19) – 40 pts
Sunday May 4th
Winner: Denis Friel (20) – 42 pts
Runner-up: Denver Kirk (23) – 40 pts
Gross: Ciaran McCormick (6) – 31 gross pts
Third: John Joe McGowan (26) – 38 pts
Ladies News
Aoife equals Ladies Course Record.
The wonderfully talented young golfer Aoife Browne scored an incredible 71, one under, in the Ladies Open in Portsalon Golf Club on Friday 2nd May. A member of the club, Aoife plays off 1. Her amazing round that most of us can only dream about, included 3 birdies, one of which was on the difficult 11th, and 13 pars.
Aoife’s score means she now shares the Ladies Course Record with Claire McGonagle who set it in 2021. We are all behind Aoife as she pursues selection to the Ulster Team. Lady Captain Roisin and all the ladies branch wish her every success in that challenge.
Lady Captain’s Outing to Cruit Island.
Sunday is the last day to sign up for the Lady Captains outing and overnight stay as final numbers are needed for tee times and the hotel. So, save the 17th May for what promises to be an incredible day on one of Donegal’s stunning courses.
Team News
Team Captain Marian Overend and Lady Captain Roisin wishes all team members enjoyable matches as they play Ballybofey and Stranorlar Golf Club in the Intermediate Foursomes on Sunday 11th May. Both Home and Away matches start at 2.30pm.
Ladies Open Results
Friday the 2nd of May produced some fantastic scores in the Ladies Open. As I mentioned above, we had the Ladies Course Record equaled by Aoife Browne, but we also saw some incredible scores coming in from players. It was a packed timesheet and an equally packed scoreboard with very little separating those at the top.
Congratulations to all the winners and in particular Catriona McClafferty with a top score of 43 points.
Winner – Catriona McClafferty hcp 45 – 43pts
Runner-Up Deirdre Hensey hcp 22 – 41pts
Gross – Aoife Browne hcp 1 – 37pts
3rd – Kit Boyce hcp 22 – 40pts
Visitor – Margaret McAteer hcp 30 – 38pts
Front 9 – Josephine Doherty hcp 50 – 21pts
Back 9 – Colette Gallenagh hcp 41 – 22pts
2’s Aoife Browne 2 @10th & 2 @12th
Members Competition
With tongue in cheek, I can honestly say this would have been the headline at the start of the report. But in fairness, when a member equals the Ladies Course Record, the headline is deservedly hers! Having said that, I must report an incredible score from another talented up and coming young golfer. In what were very difficult windy conditions, in fact I would say the worst of the week, she persevered and produced some amazing golf shots, dazzling her playing partners. By all accounts she has an excellent golf career ahead although has ruled herself out of seeking national team selection!
Winner Karen McGlinchey 42pts
Runner-Up – Mary Barrett 37pts