Over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June Roscommon hosted the Inaugural Irish Mid-Amateur Open Championship and some of the very best of Irish amateur golfers gathered from all parts of Ireland to compete in this prestigious event. The weather was ideal and the course was in shipshape and proved just how challenging it is by the fact that only three of the competitors finished the 36 holes under par. Participants were loud in their praise of the course with one using the expression “Ireland’s hidden gem” to describe the course. Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) was the clear winner with an emphatic 6 shot victory after Rounds of 69, 71 and 69. O’Flaherty led overnight by 4 shots and extended his lead with his second sub-70 round of the weekend. His nearest challengers were Roy Connolly (Palmerstown Stud) and Joe Crangle (Fortwilliam) on -1. Mario Costello and Tommy Grehan were the only Roscommon participants to make it through to the third round on Sunday morning, which was an achievement in itself, as over 30 of the entrants failed to make the cut. The participants in the Connacht Ladies Championship can look forward to an interesting challenge on next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The winner of the Sunday competition, sponsored by Bryan Keogh, was Tom Donohue with 41 points (back 9). Gerard Harlow was in second place with 41 points also. Pat O’Brien was in third place with 40 points and David Hill won the gross prize with 36 points. Holes in one are a rare occurance but this week Roisin Timothy had a hole in one on the 12^th and Gerard Harlow had a hole in one on the 9^th.

Edel Burgoine won the ladies’ Tuesday competition, sponsored by The Comfy Café, with 39 points. Rosemary O’Brien was in second place with 37 points and Yvonne Waldron was in third place with 36 points. The seniors had a very enjoyable outing to Galway Golf Course on Monday and the winner was Willie Weldon. The winner of the Over 55s on Thursday was Seamus Mulherne. Michael Sharkey was in second place and John Neilan was in third place. Mary Mullen won the ladies’ competition. Kate Walshe was in second place and Fen Thompson was in third place. Nuala Costello got the prize for the best 36 handicapper.  The seniors will play on Wednesday this week due to the hosting of the Connacht Ladies’ Championship.

Congratulations to the Pierce Purcell team who defeated  Athlone in the zone final and are through to the Connacht semi-final. Congratulations also to the ladies’ Senior Foursomes team who beat Co. Sligo in Carrick on Shannon.

Next Monday 30^th June the club Open Week begins and we look forward to well supported competitions and to welcoming many visitors to our fine course.