Mourne Golf Club News

By Paul Gallagher

28/09/2022

The annual Past Captains versus Council match took place last Saturday and if bragging rights were to be attributed, then the latter held sway in what is an important fixture and a tip of the hat to tradition at Mourne Golf Club.

Truth be told, the match outcome was neither here nor there, but the camaraderie, “yarns and oul lies” told during the post-match dinner was the real winner. Last Saturday was a “lovely day” said one participant where matches took place on the Annesley Links at Royal County Down, before said tales came to the fore during dinner.

It was great to see some non-playing past captains, such as Brian O’Boyle and John Murphy, join the teams for dinner.

As for the match outcome, Council and guests prevailed 2.5 to 1.5 with Council wins by Mark Guinness Jnr and Mark Lindsey, Paddy Keenan and Hugh Smyth, while Past Captains Michael Keane and Emlyn Williamson halved their match with Pat Keown and John D Murray. Mark Guinness Snr and the ageless Sam Harrison carried the flag for the Past Captains as they defeated Paddy Curran and Gareth Malley.

The Past Captains Turkey prize was won by Mark Guinness Snr with 41 points with Sam Harrison (37) second and Michael Keane (35) third.

The previous weekend saw the prizegiving of the season’s main trophies and monthly medals, and there was one standout performer as Eugene Jennings received multiple trophies and deservedly picked up the Golfer of the Year 2022 accolade.

Jennings’ was in flying form all season and such was his haul, he was almost in need of a wheelbarrow to take home all the silverware. The seven-handicapper won two of the big matchplay titles, including the Speedy Cup and the Club Matchplay Championship. He also secured the McEvoy Cup and teamed up with Anthony King to land the Wadsworth Trophy.

It really was a sensational season for the Property Directions owner, who unsurprisingly was named Golfer of the Year 2022.

Last Sunday’s competition was a four-man classic where Brendan Brown, John Hanna, Dermot Hawkins and Colm Kearney teamed up to win with a great score of 90 points. The winning quartet finished two ahead of Michael Keane, Donal O’Rourke, Kieran Polly and Billy Newsam. Ryan O’Higgins, Rory McNiff, Fintan Canavan and Gerry Vaughan took third on a countback with 87 points.

(Pics courtesy of Danny Hillen and Harry Thompson)

-ENDS

RESULTS

Past Captains 1.5 Council 2.5
(Past Captains names first)

• Lenny Murray & Gerry Boden lost to Mark Guinness Jnr & Mark Lindsey
• Marty Greene & Theo Gallagher lost to Paddy Keenan & Hugh Smyth Snr
• Michael Keane & Emlyn Williamson halved with Pat Keown & John D Murray
• Mark Guinness Snr & Sam Harrison defeated Paddy Curran & Gareth Malley

Past Captains Turkey Results

1 Mark Guinness Snr 41 points
2 Sam Harrison 37
3 Michael Keane 35

Annual Trophy Winners

• Annesley Cup – Jack Keenan
• Council Prize – Shaun Killough
• Junior Scratch Cup – Sean O’Higgins
• McEvoy Cup – Eugene Jennings
• McManus Cup – Brendan Crawford (pic Eamonn Crawford)
• Marshall Foursomes – Gerard Toner & Kevin Flynn
• Mourne Trophy – Michael McLaughlin
• Senior Scratch Cup – Noel Crawford
• Speedy Cup – Eugene Jennings
• Wadsworth Trophy – Eugene Jennings & Anthony King
• Spring Medal – Jerome Keenan
• May Medal – Connor Pimm
• July Medal – Michael Nugent
• August Medal – Jerome Keenan

Golfer of the Year 2022: Eugene Jennings

Main Pic Past Captain  v Council

Members of the Mourne Golf Club Council team and Past Captains team. L-R Lenny Murray, Emlyn Williamson, Martin Greene Michael Keane, Gareth Malley, Theo Gallagher, Mark Guinness Jnr, Paddy Curran, Mark Guinness Snr, Sam Harrison, John D Murray, Mark Lindsey, Paddy Keenan, Pat Keown and Hugh Smyth Snr.