The Gents ‘Better The Score’ running competition commenced last weekend and is an event sponsored and run by the club’s very popular PGA Golf Professional, Kevin Grealy.
The competition will take place until March 16 with the grand final being held on St Patrick’s Day. This year’s competition is a 15 holes stableford competition playing from the yellow markers. Entry fee is €8 and re-entry is €5.
Players play off their current handicap with 95 percent of course handicap. The magical score needed this year to qualify is 32 points.
One of the early competitors on the first day of competition was Glenbeigh native, Denis O’Sullivan, who left the field trailing with a magnificent score of 37 points. Crossing the road with 27 points and needing just another five from the last three holes to qualify, the fearless Kerryman carded a great ten points.
What odds now for Kerry bringing Sam home this year and Denis bringing the Captain’s prize to Montree? Partnering Denis was Offaly stalwart, Eddie Kelly, whose 22 points crossing to the 16th looked a lost cause. However, in typical dogged Offaly fashion, he had seven points on the 16th and 17th holes and needing to par the last, came up short with a bogey to miss out by one point. Hard luck Eddie but there will be another day.
Members are reminded to make sure they sign in on the BRS timesheet before playing so as to ensure there is contact tracing for Covid if it is required.
The restaurant also requires each visitor to supply their contact numbers for tracing purposes at the restaurant entrance.
Fore!
This is a warning cry to players ahead that they are in danger of being hit by a golf ball. The Oxford dictionary gives the derivation as ‘probably for Before’ which was a shortened version ‘Beware before’.
The more likely derivation of the word is from the Forecaddies who were used long ago. Forecaddies went ahead to watch and mark the place when the balls of the golfers landed in the rough. If the ball was heading straight for a Forecaddie, the warning cry ‘Fore’ would be emitted.
Bob Hope on Golf
• I’d give up golf if I didn’t have so many sweaters.
• President Eisenhower has given up golf for painting. It takes fewer strokes.
• I didn’t realise how long some of these seniors had been around. Yesterday, I saw a guy signing his scorecard with a feather.
Condolences
Athlone Golf Club wishes to convey its deepest sympathy to Frank O’Regan, a member for many years and to Niamh, a current member and Celeste, a former member and to the family, on the passing of Kay, who was also a member for many many years.
Condolences also to Kiltoom native Barney Kenna on the passing of his brother, Dominic. May they rest in peace.
