GOLF | McCaughey shines in Carolan Cup matchplay at Dundalk Golf Club

The sun wasn’t the only thing to shine at Dundalk on Sunday as Martin McCaughey led home the 16 qualifiers for the matchplay stage of the Carolan Cup,

This was the third Golfer of the Year competition of the season and 168 players teed it up on a beautiful day over the demanding blue course.

Playing off 22, McCaughey produced a solid round that included one birdie, six pars, five bogeys and six double-bogeys as he recorded a nett 67, five under par. The birdie came at the par three fifth, while his six pars were at the fourth, sixth, 10th, 13th, 14th and 17th.

The foundation for McCaughey’s victory came at the par-threes where he had a birdie, two pars and bogey to cover them in gross level par.

McCaughey’s reward for finishing as best qualifier is a meeting with 13 handicapper Seamus Bailey in the first round of the match play while the only two single figure handicap players to make the last 16 were Ultan Gaughran (9) and teenager Sean Laverty (4).

The full first round draw is: Andrew Brodigan (12) v Ken Lynch (12), Ultan Gaughran (9) v Richard Barry (11), Dennis Cunningham (10) v Kevin Keenan (12), Seamus Bailey (13) v Sean Laverty (4), Paddy Duffy (13) v Martin McCaughey (22), Jim Burlingham (28) v Gavin McDonnell (19), Tommy Reneghan (13) v Tadhg O’Sullivan (21), Michael Byrne (21) v Ray Pepper (20).

Open Week takes place from May 14th-21st inclusive and timesheets are now open on the BRS System.

There are still a limited number of places left on the timesheet for this Sunday’s Junior Scratch Cup and entries can be phoned into the Pro Shop on 042–9322102

JB Carr Cup

The JB Carr team are through to the next round of the competition after a 3.5 to 1.5 win over Seapoint in what was a closely fought contest. Next up for the side is a home and away tie against Greenore with the first leg expected to be this Thursday at home.

Husband and Wife Cup

Team managers Paul O’Callaghan and Elaine Ward have begun the search for couples to defend the 2016 Husband and Wife title which Dundalk recently won.

The 2017 event will held on Monday, June 5th in Co Meath Golf Club from 12:30pm. The format is a team of four pairs playing scotch foursomes with the best three cards to count and the fourth card being used in the event of a tie.

Couples interested in representing the club should contact either team manager and interested players are asked to put “Mr & Mrs” on top of any mixed scorecards they return from social mixed competitions for review.

Last week’s results

Sunday, May 7th: Carolan Cup — Leading Qualifier: Martin McCaughey (22) 67. Scores to 73/35/22.33 qualified for Match Play Stage. CSS: 74

Wednesday, May 3rd: Open Singles Stableford — Overall: Dillon Greene (9) 42, Robert Stewart (Ashfield, 18) 40, Anthony McGuinness (22) 39. Category 1 (+1 to13): Fergus O’Callaghan (13) 38. Category 2 (14–19): Sean Taaffe (19) 38. Category 3 (20–28): William Hogg (Mannan Castle, 22) 36/19. Best Gross: Aaron Grant 36. CSS: 35

Monday, May 1st: May Bank Holiday Stableford Competition: Sean McGeough (17) 39. Conor Curran (3) 37/20. Category 1 (0–14): Michael Carr (14) 37/19. Category 2 (15–20): Peter McCaughey (18) 36/20. Category 3 (21–28): Noel Crowe (25) 34. Best Gross: Aaron Grant 35. CSS 72 (36).