Jack Friel was the star performer over Open Week at Portsalon Golf Club, with the 14-handicaper rewarded for his consistent play as he coasted home clear of the chasing pack to take the prestigious ‘Golfer Of The Week’ award.
Having featured inside the top-ten on four occasions throughout Open Week, Jack was in pole position to take the award going into the final day’s play on Sunday in the Pat O’Neill-sponsored gents open and he showed a liking for the big occasions by recording a podium finish to ensure his lead was an unassailable one.
Sunday marked the end of ten-day of Open Week competitions, capping an excellent run across two weekends. The new format and date change, instigated as a result of the Irish Open taking place in Ballyliffin, appeared to have a positive impact this year.
More than 1150 golfers took to the course across Open Week, with a fantastic tally of 361 visiting players from more than 50 clubs amongst them.
These are very positive number and the club would like to thank everyone that turned out and helped make the event such a success.
A huge debt of gratitude to our loyal and valued sponsors, without whose support Open Week could not happen. We encourage all our members to show support for our sponsors, where possible.
The Captain Mick McGlynn and Lady Captain Karen McGlinchey paid their thanks to everyone that made Open Week such a success during the Presentations on Sunday evening in the clubhouse.
Their gratitude also to the hard-working competition secretaries, who work tirelessly during the week to get the all-important results out there so quickly.
Patrick McDevitt, with assistance from Joe Hensey, looked after the mens cards while Marie Gilligan dutifully took care of the ladies competitions.
Results
Wednesday 18th July – Open Singles Stableford – sponsored by Joe’s Butchers
Winner: Turlough Giles (22) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Diarmaid Loney (21) 39 pts BOT
Gross: Darragh McMenamin (3) – 34 gross pts
Third: Jack Friel (15) – 39 pts BOT
First Nine: Paul Armstrong (17) – 23 pts
Second Nine: Jackie Barrett (32) – 21 pts
Visitor: Aidan O’Neill (Dungannon, 11) – 36 pts
Lady Winner: Ciara Lynagh (Bearna, 11) – 40 pts
Thursday 19th July – Gents Open VPAR – sponsored by AK Golfing Accessories
Winner: Andrew McGuckin (21) – 4up
Runner-up: Pauric Dunleavy (8) – 3up BOT
Gross: Con Boyce (3) – 5dn
Third: Patrick Shields (18) – 3up
Visitor: Keith Shiels (Letterkenny, 8) – 2up
Friday 20th July – Ladies Open sponsored by Total Golf, Derry
Winner: Mae Blaney (25) – 40pts BOT
Runner-up: Claire Ferry (17) – 40pts
Third: Veronica Dowds (Rosapenna, 25) – 39pts
Gross: Sheila Breen (Rosapenna, 11) 28 gross pts
Visitor: Marion O’Sullivan (Letterkenny, 9) – 36pts
First Nine: Marian Overend (18) – 23pts
Second Nine: Pamela Clinton-McDermott (17) – 20pts
Friday 20th July – Gents Open Stableford – sponsored by Total Golf, Derry
Winner: Donal Callaghan Jnr (12) – 38 pts
Runner-up: James Sandilands (21) – 37 pts
Gross: Gary Trotter (4) – 30 gross pts
Third: Hugh McGinley (19) – 37 pts
First Nine: John J McBride (12) – 19 pts
Second Nine: Dennis Sweeney (16) – 20 pts
Visitor: Paul McGuckin (Letterkenny, 17) – 34 pts
Saturday 21st July 4BBB sponsored by Farren Roarty Accountants, Letterkenny
Winners: Cathal Canning & Sean Quirk – 47 pts
Runners-up: Brendan Roche & Charlie McBride – 46 pts
Gross: Ciaran Gilcreest & David McCormick – 40 gross pts
Third: Heather Rainey & Mairead McCrumb – 45 pts BOT
Sunday 22nd July Ladies Open sponsored by Inishowen Motors
Winner: Roisin McCormick (16) 42 pts
Runner-up: Deirdre Hensey (21) 40 pts BOT
Third: Geraldine Hickland (25) – 40 pts
Fourth: Mae Blaney (24) – 37 pts
First Nine: Nuala McGarrigle (21) – 22 pts
Second Nine: Geraldine Masterson (27) – 19 pts BOT
Visitor: Heather Rainey (27, Portstewart) – 36 pts
Sunday 22nd July Gents Open sponsored by Pat O’Neill
Winner: Rory McDermott (20) – 42 pts BOT
Runner-up: Eamonn McConigley (7) – 42 pts
Gross: Sean Forbes (6) – 33 gross pts
Third: Jack Friel (14) – 40 pts BOT
First Nine: Paddy McGroarty (11) – 23 pts
Second Nine: Noel Nicholl (14) – 22 pts
Visitor: Jaliso Shortt (LK, 22) – 37 pts
CSS: 72
Open Week – Golfer of the Week 2018
This turned into a one-horse race after some stellar playing from Jack Friel (14) across the week. Featuring in the top-ten on no less than four occasions, Jack was in pole position going into the final day’s play and he cemented his win by finishing third in the Pat O’Neill sponsored Gents Open on Sunday.
Also congratulations to James Sandilands who recorded a hole-in-one on the 15th hole in Friday’s Open competition on his way to finishing a close second.
Team News
Huge congrats to Joe Coyle and his Junior Cup team, they defeated Killymoon GC on Saturday at City of Derry and are now into an Ulster Semi-Final where they will face Fortwilliam (date and venue TBC).
This was a superb achievement and team captain Joe has donated his birthday limelight to star performer Pauric Dunleavy, who was a 6&5 winner in Derry on Saturday with some superb golf played.
Eamonn McDermott, Sean Hensey, Seamus Patton and Joe Coyle were the remaining Portsalon players in a 4-1 success. Also thanks to caddies Jack Patton and Diarmad Coll, and to club vice-captain Pat O’Neill who has become the team’s lucky mascot this summer.
Details of the semi-final to follow and it would be fantastic to see a good turnout to support the team in that match.
Our Donegal League team once more saw the dream ended by Bundoran on Sunday last amid a downpour of rain.
The club from the south of the county appears to have an Indian sign over Portsalon in recent times and they had few problems in turning around a 3-2 first leg deficit on home soil, claiming four of the five matches on offer with the final game also leading through 16 holes when called in. Commiserations to team captain Cathal Canning and his players.
Captain’s Day 2018
This Saturday sees the first Major prize of the summer going on offer as Mr Mick McGlynn hosts his Captain’s Day. The recent rain will have been welcomed by the greens staff and already there is plenty colour reappearing on the fairways. It should leave the course in near-perfect condition come Saturday.
The Ladies will be playing for the Captains Prizes on Thursday evening. The timesheet for Saturday is predictably a busy one, so be sure to get your spot reserved.
