COURTOWN: Thank God, it is great to be back. That was the general feeling in Courtown last weekend, with the course reopened after a spell of some three weeks. It was surprising to see the track in such good condition after all that had been thrown at us over the last few weeks, and even though the course had to be closed for an hour or so on Sunday morning following a heavy frost on Saturday night, we were able to proceed with the Winter League as planned.

There were grown men waiting during the week, like expectant children, to see if we could get out on the fairways again. Some of these people were having withdrawal symptoms, not having hit a ball for almost a month. Well, the short break did no harm at all to some of the members who turned out to take part in the twelve-hole gents' fourball over Saturday and Sunday.

Some of the scores that were returned off three-quarter handicap would suggest that a short break would do us all some good every now and then. When the course was opened, it was decided to play the tenth, 11th, 18th and then one through to nine. This gave the sun a chance to clear the last of the frost from areas like the third green.

Results: 1, Jim Hughes (14) and Matty Forde (12), 31 points; 2, Kieran Murphy (11) and Donal Wafer (15), 30 points (last nine); 3, Mick Morrissey (6) and Noel Ivanoff (10), 30 points (last six).

BALLYMONEY

Thankfully the utterly relentless horrible weather finally abated on Sunday to at last allow some golf to be played. Heavy rain on Friday night resulted in the closure of the course on Saturday, but subsequently conditions on Sunday were as good as could be expected. Many thanks to the hard-working ground staff.

A stableford competition was played on Sunday. While the turn-out was slightly lower than usual, it was a keenly-contested affair with some excellent scores returned.

The ever-consistent Sammy Walker (11) won with an outstanding 40 points. Brian Delaney (12) was second with 39 points which would probably be a winning score on most days at this time of year!

New member Owen Devlin (15), playing his first competition at the club, signed for a most impressive 38 points with a birdie and loads of pars on his card. The handicap committee, including new member David Murphy, will be holding the first meeting of the year soon to review all handicaps.

Hopefully the weather will allow next Sunday's stableford to go ahead in more sunshine and perhaps an appearance of some of the more reclusive members! The golf classic that was postponed on Saturday due to the wet conditions is hopefully going ahead next Saturday, so members are probably better off planning their regular game for Sunday anyway.

The club would like to extend condolences and deepest sympathy to Tony Dempsey and family on their recent bereavement.

WEXFORD

The snows of Kilimanjaro have been replaced by the green, green grass of home, and competitive golf resumed in Mulgannon last weekend. On Saturday Jim Doyle (20) was the winner on a countback with 25 points. David Sherlock (16) came second, also with 25 points. This singles sweepstake competition was the first one to use the online booking system and it posed no fears to technophobes or Luddites.

Sunday's competition was a fourball v. par and had very tight scoring. The successful sheperds who collected the lambs were Paddy Kearney and Nicky 'Scooper' Murphy with a score of 5 up. Seán Crosbie and Dave O'Keeffe came second with the same score, but lost out on a countback. In third place with 4 up were Davy Farrell and Billy Dodd.

The online booking system will be operational for all future competitions, and members are urged to register to facilitate the organisers.

ROSSLARE

After the bad spell of weather, competitions came back to normal last weekend with two 14-hole competitions.

Saturday, January 16, 14-hole fourball: 1, Tom Murphy (10) and Charlie O'Gorman (16), 36; 2, Paud (2) and Micheál O'Brien (9), 35; 3, Aedan Jameson (8) and Larry Ennis (18), 35.

Sunday, January 17, four-man team, 14 holes: 1, Pat Rossiter (11), Nick Rossiter (17), Robert Rowe (18), John Murphy (19), 77 points; 2, Gerry Reeves (4), Dan Cash (5), Ken Maher (12), Dick Hehir (14), 72 points (back seven); 3, Syl Farrell (16), P. Wright (18), S. Rossiter (14), P. McDonald (18), 72 points.

Our Fred Daly team were unsuccessful in their defence of the Home Internationsl title in La Torre recently. All matches were close with Rosslare losing two 3.5 to 2.5 and halving one 3-3. The team was Conor Kelly, Gary Collins, Eamon Kelly, Ger MacNamara, Ian Cuddihy, Ross Young, Mark Holohan and Ted Collins. The manager was Tommy Tierney. The next big step for this team is to win the Fred Daly title for the third year in a row and, with only Conor over-age, they stand a great chance.

Today (Wednesday) there is an open singles (visitors ¤25), and on Thursday, January 28, there is an open Seniors, Over-50 (visitors ¤25).

Not for the first time, the club suffered a sad loss with the death of John Gaynor on Monday, December 28. John, who was a few days short of his 91st birthday, was one of the longest-serving members in the club and was very active both on and off the course.

He was Captain in 1966, President 1989-'90, Hon. Secretary 1992-1998 and a committee member for many years, and was an active member of club teams. In his retirement he took a keen interest in the club grounds and for many years tended to the flowers and shrubs. To his daughter, Ann, and son, Brendan, sincere sympathy is extended.