Season starts in Mitchelstown with the Sean O’Brien Memorial

Saturday, 27th March saw Funcheon Valley Golf Society start their season off in Mitchelstown, playing for the Sean O’Brien Memorial.

With heavy rainfall during the week the Mitchelstown green staff had taken pity on the golfers with some generous tee boxes and pin positions. With balmy spring sunshine the Mitchelstown Old Course dried out very quickly and the official going was yielding with soft patches by race time!

This resulted in lush receptive greens and excellent scoring, in a Funcheon Valley first, over half of a large field played to their handicap or better. As the cards were coming it looked like a photo finish might have been needed as 1 shot was separating 8 golfers on 2 and 3 under par. However, the judge was not required as a runaway winner emerged from the pack in Fergal Whelton who finished 8 under par, Fergal is a long standing member and was a good friend of Sean so proved a very popular winner. Luckily Mitchelstown handicap secretary Michael Fogarty was on hand to crunch the numbers into the computer and sort out the places.

After the golf, it was back to the clubhouse where Jennifer provided fine cuisine for the golfers. After the food the Funcheon Valley AGM was held, where respects were paid to 3 members who we sadly lost since the last AGM and who will be very sorely missed by the society: Tom Cott, Neilius O’Neil and Michael Leonard. Secretary John Cotter thanked outgoing captain Don Quill and president Billy Walsh for their unexpected 3 years of service.

He also welcomed incoming captain Martin Kelly and president Chris Ablett. Winner Fergal thanked Jennifer for the excellent value meal and the greens staff for having the course in such good condition for the time of year. The prizes were awarded as follows:

1st Fergal Whelton (14) 38 points, 2nd Liam Gamble (25.9) 33 points (Back 8), 3rd Chris Ablett (16.8) 33 points, 4th Tim Doody (21.3) 32 points (Back 8), 5th Michael Fogarty (17.7) 32 points, 6th Eamon McGrath (17.3) 32 points and 7th Dolan Ciaran (24.4) 32 points.

Next outing is Ballyneety on Saturday, 22nd April with first tee booked for 11:28, please let secretary John know if you plan to attend.