The highlight of the season for all ladies in any club is undoubtedly the Lady Captain’s day and Saturday 27th August was no exception when Mrs. Colette Ewings hosted her day at Otway Golf Club, Rathmullen.
The day dawned bright and breezy after the heavy rains during the night and the course and Clubhouse looked resplendent in the light sunshine as the ladies congregated for morning coffee and refreshments. However, the weather unfortunately took a turn for the worse when the ladies were mid way through playing and sadly it turned out a really dreadful afternoon but in honour of the occasion, all of the players continued undaunted and successfully completed the round. Competition was indeed keen, but the weather kept scores moderate and congratulations to all of the winners and in particular to 13 handicapper, local lady Orla Gallagher who scooped the major prize of the year by winning the Lady Captain’s Prize by one stroke over runner up Therese Farrell (35) last year’s Lady Captain. Margaret Keys (23) won the Gross Section and Patricia McAteer (29) beat several others on a break of tie for third spot with 35 pts. The nines were won by Ann Cullen (32) 19 pts and Mar!
y Hasson (33) with 18 points. This year’s Novice Prize was won by Kate McKay and she was warmly welcomed to the Club for her first Major competition. The Longest Drive was won by big hitting Orla Gallagher and Nearest the Pin was won by Kathleen Deeney who has made a welcome return to the winners’ enclosure.
There were some surprise visitors to the Club mid morning when a Yellow N. Y. Taxi Cab from USA called in to say hi. Team Number 7, the ‘Resevoir Dogs’ were competing in the Annual Scally Rally and decided to visit Otway in the hope of completing one of their daily challenges. We were unable to help them in their quest but they nevertheless enjoyed meeting the ladies and vice versa.
The Lady Captain’s guests took to the course around 3pm and braved the elements but apparently enjoyed the experience nonetheless and Mary Devlin, Lady Captain at Rosapenna GC claimed the prize with 18 pts while Paula Cooley and Maura Toal from Balmoral GC collected the prizes for the Visitors. The Gents Visitors prizes were won by Jim Toal and runner up was the Lady Captain’s Son, Mark Ewings, fresh from his recent ‘hole in one’, also from Balmoral Golf Club. The Club Gents prize was won by Brendan Gallagher (13) with a fantastic 23 pts and runner up was James Lynch (18) with 22 pts.
The ladies were treated to a magnificent buffet evening meal, supplied as usual by Anne in the clubhouse while the gents were entertained to a BBQ on the veranda. Traditionally, Prize Givings in Otway are very lively affairs and last Saturday was no exception when all of the members and guests squeezed into the cosy surroundings and made merry well into the wee small hours ably entertained by the Captain himself, Denis Friel. Well done to all involved for another successful event and a sincere thank you to Lady Captain Colette for her generosity.
Many thanks also to the Club Members and Visitors who generously supported the Lady Captain’s Charity, the St Vincent De Paul Society and to those who supported the Draw in aid of Club Funds. Winner of the first prize for an overnight stay for two with dinner, bed & breakfast at the Ramada Encore, Belfast was Anne Callaghan. The Friel Plant Hire sponsored prize was won by Jim Toal and the other prizewinners were Seamus Gallagher, Dessie Crerand, Anne Callaghan and Damien Gallagher.
The monthly competition continues for the ladies and the next qualifying event takes place on this Saturday 10th, so usual draw times ladies. Congratulations to Chris McGee from the Bridge Bar Golf Society who scored a Hole in One on Friday night during their outing to Otway.
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