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Dunfanaghy Golf Club Captains, Jill McCorkell and Colm Donaghy enjoyed their Captains' Drive-in at the third time of asking due to the dreadful weather we experienced in January. A large crowd gathered braving a cold wet Saturday morning to see the opening tee shots.
Approaching 10.30, the rain ceased, the sky brightened and everyone witnessed two great drives, much to the relief of Jill and Colm. The Captains' Drive-in Scramble was then played in beautiful spring like weather that lasted just long enough to see everyone back in the clubhouse before Mother Nature unleashed another Biblical downpour. Food was served and the odd alcoholic drink was consumed before Sean Quinn revealed the results. Winners of the Captains' Drive-in Scramble were Sean Duffy Jnr, Pat O'Neill, William Hamilton and Pat Bonnar. Runners Up were Deborah Moore, Ger Dalton, Lindsay McCorkell and Ciaran Ferry. We wish Captain Jill and Captain Colm a very successful year and hope that the road back to normality is a smooth one. Gents Club Single Stableford
Sunday 27th February 2022 1st Eamonn McBride (20) 42pts 2nd Michael Dolan (24) 39pts Gross Daniel McColgan (3) 32pts 3rd John McNulty (10) 38pts 1st 9 Patrick Hunter (29) 20pts BOT 2nd 9 Ruari McGlinchey (10) 24pts Gents Open Single Stroke Saturday 26th February 2022 1st Anthony McGrath (18) L'Kenny GC. 61 2nd Brian McGee (17) C'Neely GC 66 Gross Dean Gallagher (7) C'Neely GC 74 3rd Donnie Costigan (12) L'Kenny GC 67 BOT 1st 9 Chris McCallion (7) C'Neely GC 32.5 2nd 9 Ciaran Ward (18) 31 Gents Senior Open Stableford Monday 21st February 2022 1st Trevor Robb (21) 39 pts BOT 2nd John Ryan (19) 39 pts 3rd Joe Rowley (10) 37 pts BOT
BY JONNY McCLINTOCK
Sitting in the bar of Dunfanaghy Golf Club you cannot help but notice the many photographs on the wall. These chart the club’s history from a remote course in north west Ireland, which catered largely for the needs of holiday makers, to a serious contender in Irish and world golfing competitions/circles. One of the most striking photos is undoubtedly the old black and white photograph taken over 70 years ago of the young caddies whose lives are described so evocatively in the 2006 Centenary Book. Nearly three quarters of a century later, another photo shows the same venue, but the cast is quite different. Just like their predecessors, these young boys smile out at us, golf clubs in hand. Like their predecessors they too have been out on the course on a Saturday morning. Unlike their predecessors, however, they have been playing, not caddying – the first “graduates” of James Sweeney and Brian Dolan’s very successful Junior Golf programme. Although separated by decades and backgrounds, it is possible to draw parallels between the two sets of boys? Will Luke Kelly be the next James Brogan? Could Carlos O’Reilly and Andy Clarke emulate Sean Ferriter’s sporting prowess? And here is hoping that Tom McClintock can be as successful not only in business but on the sports field as Mick McGinley. James Brogan’s golfing career is legendary, but was ably summarised recently by Nigel Doherty. “James should be in the Guinness Book of records, as he has won 10 Captain’s Prizes in Dunfanaghy and one All Ireland Captain’s Prize. This was at a time when James played off a handicap of 1, a fantastic achievement in its own right.” In different times and circumstances, James might even have taken the leap of faith needed to move from being one of the leading amateurs on the island of Ireland to entering the professional arena. Although too young to have won a Captain’s prize yet, let alone 10, Luke Kelly, has already been the champion golfer in Ireland at U17 level and at Ulster Under 15 level. The move to further Luke’s golfing career is much less daunting than it would have been for the young James Brogan. Luke’s next steps include a scholarship at top NCAA Division 1 university in the USA (Oakland in Michigan) where he will compete against the leading golf amateurs in the world on a regular basis. Sean Ferriter was a sportsman of some note, who made his senior debut for Donegal in 1957 at the age of 18. He went on to captain the Donegal side in 1963. He won county titles with St. Eunan’s and Railway Cups with Ulster. Carlos O’Reilly and Andy Clarke are only beginning their footballing careers, but already Carlos has helped LYIT to their first Fresher’s All Ireland title, and, playing off a golf handicap of 2, clearly has an exciting sporting future ahead of him. Andy Clark’s soccer journey has also already started promisingly. Having made his senior debut as a 16-year-old for Saintfield United, he moved first to Crusaders before joining Linfield last summer (2021), where he made his Champions’ League debut against Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius. Aside from being the father of professional golfer and Ryder Cup winning captain, Paul McGinley, Mick McGinley has been very successful, not only on the sports field, but also in business. He played football for Donegal, winning McCrory Cups with his school, along with captaining national amateur golf teams. His professional life has been notable for the success of his telecom’s company, Sigma Wireless. Here’s hoping Tom McClintock can use his degree in business as effectively in the future. He has already come a small way to matching Mick’s sporting achievements, with several Ulster and Irish hockey underage caps to his name. On closer study of the Caddy’s photo what is striking and worthy of consideration is the number of that group that went on to bear office as a Committee member. Neil McGinley, Mick McGinley, Sean Ferriter and James Brogan all being examples of people who were either Club Captain, President (or both) and contributed massively to the club that we know. Given the age profile, would it have been possible for these young lads to have shaken hands with someone who shook the hand of Harry Vardon when he was laying out the course in 1906? It’s fascinating to consider how these boys were woven into the fabric and history of the club. The two groups are separated by time and different opportunities. While the caddies can reflect on lives well lived and a huge contribution, not just to Dunfanaghy Golf Club, but to local sporting and business communities in Donegal and further afield, the young lads are preparing to travel in hope and we wish them every success as they set off on their quest to fulfil their dreams. But let us not forget that Dunfanaghy Golf Club is central to both stories and we should all be grateful that we are part of a club and community which has survived for well over a century and continues to allow us to enjoy the game of golf in such beautiful surroundings. Dunfanaghy Spring Cup - Stroke (Golfer of the Year)
Sunday 20th February 2022 1st Ger Dalton (7) 71 BOT 2nd Fergal Callan (10) 71 BOT Gents Open Stableford Saturday 19th February 2022 1st Brendan Kelly (7) 43 pts 2nd Brian Dolan (12) 42 pts Gross: Bill McCallion (8) 32 pts 3rd John Ryan (19) 41 pts Gents Monthly Medal Sunday 13th February 2022 1st Daniel McColgan (2) 34 pts Gents Open Single Stableford Wednesday 9th February 2022 Result 1st Eamon Hunter (16) 36pts 2nd Chris Byrne (36) 35pts Gross Charles Roarty (10) 22pts 3rd Billy Griffin (10) 31pts BOT Gents Senior Open Single Stableford Monday 7th February 2022 Result. 1st Joe McManus (19) LK GC 37pts 2nd Kevin Roche (16) LK GC 33pts BOT Gross Peader Curran (8) 22pts 3rd Bryan Harkin (26) LK GC 31pts 1st 9 Alistair Henderson (21) B&S GC 21pts 2nd 9 Seamus McCauley (10) 14pts Results Week Ending 6th February 2022 Gents Open Single Stableford Wednesday 3rd February 2022 Result 1st Lorcan Farrell (21) B&S GC 42pts 2nd Johnny McGrath (25) B&S GC 39pts Gross Brendan McGrath (1) 33pts 3rd Brendan Kelly (7) 38pts Gents Club Single Stableford Sunday 30th January 2022 1st Billy Griffin (10) 37pts 2nd Kieran McTaggart (14) 36pts Gross Shaun Cannon (5) 34pts 3rd Colm Donaghy (12) 32pts BOT 1st 9 Thomas Reidy (18) 18pts BOT 2nd 9 Declan McBride (23) 18pts Gents Open 4BBB Stableford. Saturday 29th January 2022 1st 43pts Brendan Kelly (6) James Doherty (12) 2nd 42pts Ciaran Ferry (19) Ciaran Ward (16) GENTS OPEN SINGLE STABLEFORD Wednesday 26TH JANUARY 2022 1st CONOR MCGETTIGAN (14) 37 pts 2nd JIM CAREY (38) 36 pts BOT Gross BRENDAN MCGRATH (1) 29 pts 3rd SEAMUS MCCAULEY (10) 36 pts 1st 9 CHRIS BYRNE (37) 21 pts BOT 2nd 9 ANTHONY MCGRATH (19) L'KENNY GC 20 pts
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