There was an air of excitement and anticipation around Roscommon Golf Club last week. The ladies were competing in the All-Ireland Finals of the AIG Senior Foursomes Competition 2017 at Malone Golf Course, just outside Belfast. The four provinces were represented in the finals, and Roscommon having won the Connacht title earlier this month, were representing Connacht.

The semi-final took place on Thursday 26th Sept., when they played Lucan Golf Club. The Roscommon ladies, who were playing outstanding golf, won this contest. Having reached the semi-final stage previously, this was Roscommon Ladies’ first time to reach the final of the competition, which was scheduled for the next day, 29th. Their opponents in the final were Killarney Golf Club.

The final was closely contested with little separating both teams. As the competition approached the final stages, there was nothing between both teams. Roscommon and Killarney had won one match each, with the third and final match tied after 18 holes. To decide the winners, the final match went to sudden-death playoff. After two additional holes it was still all square, at which point failing light suspended play for the day, with the match to be resumed the following morning.

The final match was resumed at 10.00 am on Saturday 30th. The third sudden death hole was keenly contested by both teams, however, despite Roscommon’s solid performance, Killarney just pipped the Roscommon team to take the AIG Ladies’ Senior Foursomes title on the 21st hole of the final match

The team comprised of:  Rosemary O’Brien, Ciara Ryan, Paula Quinn, Ruth Lennon, Mary Lalor and Sinead Benedetti, under the stewardship of team mangers Noreen O’Grady and Linda Maxwell.

All the members at Roscommon Golf Club are feeling very proud of the achievements and commitment of the Senior Foursomes team and their managers over the past week, and for reaching the final for the first time. It was encouraging to see large numbers of supporters making the long trip to the ILGU finals in Malone on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the Club acknowledges and appreciates their valued contribution to such competitions.

The men’s competition last week, sponsored by Roscommon Herald, was won by Eamonn Smith with 41 pts; 2nd, Francis Ferguson, 36 pts.

The ladies’ competition, sponsored by John Finn Electrical, was won by Fen Thompson on 70; 2nd, Noreen O’Grady, 72.

The prizewinners of Machinery Fundraising Draw, held on 30th Sept 2017, were: 1st, Tony Robinson; 2nd, Con O’Brien; 3rd, Fergal O’Gara; 4th, Mike Mc Hale; 5th, Grace O’Gara.
Roscommon Golf Club thanks everybody who supported this fundraiser, the organisers, and GolfStyle for part subsidising of the main prize of an electric trolley. The draw has been an immense success and ensures we can replace vital equipment, required to maintain the golf course.