Fermoy GC bids farewell to popular men’s club secretary John Mulcahy

The news of the passing of men’s club secretary and president of 2013, John Mulcahy, was greeted with shock and sadness as it spread through the club on Sunday last.

John was a member longer than most of us can remember and has contributed hugely to the club over the years. He held his current role for the past four years, but also held the position on previous occasions such was his outstanding commitment to Fermoy GC. His good humour and infectious laughter endeared him to everyone in the club and he will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

It wasn’t only golf that drew John to Fermoy, he was born here but moved to Cork while quite young and it was there that he and his wife Eileen reared their family. He still had strong family ties to town as our members John and Patsy Lonergan are his first cousins.

John loved to attend the senior gents Thursday scramble and his loss will be felt considerably there. On the evenings of club presentations John was always on hand helping to get everything in order prior to the arrival of sponsors and prize-winners, and his knowledge of the running of the club was immense. John was a lovely gentleman and his passing has sadly left an enormous void in our club.

President Niall Cremen said that the club has lost a fine golfer, an able administrator, a greater than life character but most of all a true clubman who was never found wanting. We will not see his like again. He, along with lady captain Oonagh and men’s captain Gerry on behalf of all the members extend their deepest sympathies to John’s wife Eileen, daughter Michelle, son Graham and the extended Mulcahy family. Leaba í measc na naomh go raibh aige.

EXCELLENT SCORING IN MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP OPEN LADIES THREEBALL

Our open threeball competition held on Sunday 5th and Monday, September 6 was very kindly sponsored by McCarthy Insurance Group and we thank Charles McCarthy and his family most sincerely for their wonderful support for Fermoy Golf Club.

There was a wonderful turnout of both members and players alike. The weather over the two days varied considerably, Sunday was a little misty for a time and the rough was quite tough as a result. Monday on the other hand was glorious, we did get the good weather and high temperatures promised by Met Eireann. The scoring overall was excellent, in first place were Lourdes McCarthy (23) playing with her sister Pam Hickey (27) and visitor Catherine McSweeney (29) a member of Youghal Golf Club who had a wonderful 73 points.

Catherine was originally from Fermoy, a school friend of Lourdes and Pam and a sister of local solicitor Jim Baylor. The format was one score to count on the front nine and two on the back. Speaking with Pam later she said they had a most enjoyable round as all the team were in form on the day.

In second position was a team comprised of three hard working committee members which included our treasurer Clare Coughlan (16) and our Get into Golf co-ordinators, Martha Brennan (14) and Annette Twomey (25) who playing on Sunday produced a great 72 points to come in ahead, on count back, of Monday players Yvonne Stephenson (19), Lisa McLoughlin (20) and Emma Comyn (23) in third. Well done to all the prize winners.

COMPETITIONS

On Wednesday, September 15 we held a voucher competition as a result of the closure of the course on Monday 13th due to very heavy rainfall. Despite it not being our regular competition day quite a good number played, the two ladies in the winners enclosure produced very good cards. In first place was Margaret O’Flynn (22) just pipping ladies club secretary Elaine Murphy (19) also on 3up on countback.

The competition kindly sponsored by Lyon’s Pharmacy due to be held that week has been deferred to a later date. Once the new date is arranged members will be notified by WhatsApp and it will also be posted on the notice board in ladies locker room.

There was a very good turnout for the competition held last Sunday/Monday, September 19/20 which was sponsored by Synergy Credit Union and we thank them for their very generous sponsorship. Results to follow.

UP-COMING COMPETITIONS

Next week’s competition Sunday 26th and Monday, September 27 is very kindly sponsored by our secretary manager Denis Twomey and we thank Denis most sincerely for his very kind sponsorship.

LADIES ENTRY FOR THE GEORGE RYAN MEMORIAL CLUB MIXED FOURSOMES

The entry sheets for the George Ryan Memorial Mixed Foursomes are on the notice board in the locker room. Those who are interested in entering make sure you put your name down. The draw will take place in early October.

THURSDAY LADIES

Thursday last began as a dull and misty morning, nevertheless seventeen ladies arrived for the weekly scramble, their efforts were rewarded as by the time the first group set foot on the first tee the day had magically cleared. In first place with a score of 30 nett were Josephine McInerney, Eileen O’Neill and Noelle Carroll. Second position went to Mary Wall, Pauline Hyland and Veronica Whyte 31.3 nett and in third were Rita Mulvihill, Liz Geaney and Marie Walsh 31.7 nett.

END OF SEASON FRIDAY MIXED

The end of season mixed will take place on Sunday next, September 26, draws will take place at 1pm and all who attended this summer send their sincere thanks to ex officios Marie and Liam for organising the competition every Friday night.

MEN’S CLUB NOTES

Our Wednesday opens are extremely popular with both members and visitors alike. Thirteen clubs were represented last week which speaks highly of the quality of our course and we are delighted to welcome visiting players to Fermoy. Results Men’s Open Singles, Wednesday 15th September: 1 Michael Hourihan (25) 40pts, 2 Peter Purcell (15, Cobh) 38pts, 3 Tom Moynihan (18) 37pts.

GEORGE RYAN MEMORIAL CLUB MIXED FOURSOMES

Entry sheets have been posted in both the ladies and gents locker rooms for anyone interesting in entering the club mixed foursomes competition, playing for the George Ryan Memorial Trophy. A draw for pairings will take place in two weeks’ time. Full details on the format will be published soon.

COURSE MAINTENANCE

On Friday, September 18 all members received a message via the BRS informing all that Tomas and course staff will commence autumn and winter work on the course starting Monday, September 20 and finishing Friday, October 8 (weather permitting).

This will involve tinning greens, applications of sand to greens, fairways and tee boxes, overseeding of greens and tee boxes. This is going to cause some inconvenience but is essential work that has to be done and thank members in advance for their co-operation.

Timesheets for the winter months will revert to threeballs. Reminder anybody playing golf must have their names on the timesheet at all times.