The Purest Form of Golf

Stableford has it’s place, but this weekend saw members return to golf in its purest form. No points. No safety nets. Just every shot counting. The Castle Steel-sponsored Stroke Competition produced some excellent scoring despite conditions remaining far from straightforward with strong, gusting winds keeping it interesting. Cormac Lane emerged victorious with an excellent nett 66 to claim top spot and continue his fine run of form. Behind him, Conor Finnegan edged out Sean Malone on countback after both players returned impressive scores to feature prominently on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, the best gross score of the day belonged to Ciaran (CJ) Johnston, whose excellent 74 from the Gold Tees took the honours.

Congratulations to all the prize winners.

The Prandy Duffy Cup Returns
Next weekend sees the return of one of the most anticipated and storied events in the Concra Wood golfing calendar; the Prandy Duffy Cup.Few competitions carry quite the same history, tradition and friendly rivalry.

As always, our American visitors will join forces with their Irish counterparts for a Ryder Cup-style contest where pride, bragging rights and local legends are all very much on the line.

While the golf itself will undoubtedly be fiercely competitive, experience tells us that the stories, friendships and occasional questionable decisions made afterwards are every bit as important.
As ever, the presentation on Sunday evening promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Club Matchplay Competitions
The entry window for the Club Singles Matchplay competitions has been extended until Sunday 21st June. For those still undecided, matchplay remains one of the most enjoyable formats in golf. There are few better ways to spend a summer evening than battling your way around the course one hole at a time, with every putt carrying just that little bit more significance.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet and play with members you might not ordinarily find yourself drawn against in a weekly competition. And for anyone harbouring ambitions of one day wearing the club colours in inter-club competition, matchplay is one of the finest teachers the game has to offer. Learning when to attack, when to play conservatively and, perhaps most importantly, how to handle pressure are skills that serve players well long after the final putt drops. So, if you’ve been thinking about entering, consider this your gentle nudge.

For those single figure golfers, the club is running Senior Cup and Junior Cup Opens take place on Friday 03rd July. For those who spend most Saturdays admiring the prize table from a distance while someone with 17 shots returns 42 points, this could be your day.

Inter-Club Update
There is plenty of good news to report from the inter-club scene this week. Charlie McDonnell’s Barton Shield team embarked on what can only be described as a character-building day of golf.
Having overcome Portadown in Tandragee during the morning session, their reward was an afternoon showdown with reigning All-Ireland champions Warrenpoint. Rather than simply making up the numbers, the Concra men produced an outstanding performance to claim a notable scalp and continue their campaign. This is one of Golf Ireland’s blue ribbon competitions so we are wishing Charlie, Jack, CJ and Darragh continued success in their campaign. We’re all behind you. Alan Bolger’s All-Ireland Mixed side were involved in an equally dramatic affair against a spirited Downpatrick team. With two points available both home and away, the tie hung in the balance throughout the afternoon.

Jack McDonnell and Margie Carville secured a crucial away point, while Garreth Woods and Cathryna Craig delivered at home to leave the contest finely poised.

All eyes then turned to the final away match, where Rory Kelly and Mona Metcalfe walked off the 17th 1-up. That half point secured the tie and sent Concra through to the last 32 where County Cavan await.

Rumour has it Rory and Mona insisted on playing the 18th despite the overall match being won in search of that “W”. Once a match-player, always a match-player! Unfortunately, the golfing gods give with one hand and take away with the other. Frank McDonnell’s Sam Rutherford side came up against a very strong Tandragee team and bowed out of the competition despite a determined effort. Attention now turns to another important fixture as Garreth Woods’ Junior Cup side take on County Cavan G.C in Portadown this Saturday afternoon in the Ulster South quarter-final.

Ladies Club News

Winners of this week’s 18-hole competition, kindly sponsored by Culloville House, were:
Michelle McConville – 37 pts
Donna Adams – 36 pts
Dorren Quinn – 34 pts
Congratulations ladies — excellent scoring in testing conditions
Next week’s 18-hole and 9-hole Stroke Competition is kindly sponsored by The Crayon Box and may be played on Saturday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Please note that Sunday is almost fully booked.

Ladies Inter-Club Update
Sandra McEvoy’s Revive Active team were in action against Tandragee yesterday. Having left themselves with a mountain to climb after the first leg, Concra knew they needed to win all four matches to progress. While the result ultimately didn’t go our way, nobody could question the commitment or determination shown by the team.
Every player put their heart and soul into the match and represented the club with great pride throughout. Inter-club golf can be a cruel game at times, but the effort, camaraderie and willingness to wear the club colours never go unnoticed. Well done to Sandra and all involved for flying the Concra flag so admirably.

With inter-club campaigns gathering momentum, one of the club’s great traditional weekends just around the corner and summer golf finally beginning to feel like summer golf, there is plenty to look forward to at Concra Wood.