Thursday 30th September 2021.
The annual McAnerney’s Open Stableford competition eventually took place after a weather postponement from the original fixture. Overcast skies and scattered heavy showers threatened to put paid to the competition for another week, however 53 ladies, including 6 visitors participated in the 18 hole event which raises funds annually for a variety of Cancer charities.
More important than the recipients of the generously sponsored prizes were the charities which benefitted from the day. These included £300 for the Brain Tumour research and over £900 from a well attended coffee morning which was donated to the Hospice. The proceeds of the coffee morning were augmented by a further £1000, donated by Lily McMullan, whose sale of hair bands, knitted during lockdown, proved to be both inspirational, of which more later, and lucrative.
A further £150 was raised for Breast Cancer research by Ita Devenney who sold home baked pies and crumbles which will no doubt be passed off as the work of some of the purchasers.
The top prize on the day went to Jacqueline Kelly whose 40 points edged Maggie McKee into second spot by the slenderest of margins on countback. Third place laurels went to Gladys Villiers with 37 points. Julie McCarten secured 4th spot with 35 points beating Rene Calvert, Joy Steenson and Breda Naughton on countback.
Ellen Brady won the Gross prize for the second week running with 24 points. Best visitor went to Catie Hanna from Loughgall with 37 points.
The Men’s prize went to Geoffrey McCarten with 37 points.
Winner of the draw was Audrey Kellett.
Category prize winners were as follows :-
Category A winner Geraldine Rafferty with 32 points
Category B winner Rene Calvert with 35 points
Category C winner Breda Naughton with 35 points.
Category D winner Joy Steenson with 35 points.
Front 9 Flo McCall 19 points beating Donna Carolan
Back 9 Pauline McArdle 20 points.
Thirteen ladies played in the 9 Hole competition.
1st place Theresa Campbell with 19 points
2nd place Maria Claire Quinn. 16 points beating Carmel Cassidy on countback.
Birdies were recorded by Ellen Brady 3 @ 1st
Twos were recorded by Anne Kinsella at the 13th and by Helen McLaughlin and Lily McMullan who birdied the 3rd.
Lady Captain welcomed those present and thanked Catherine and her helpers for their unstinting efforts in raising funds for such deserving charities.
She also paid tribute to Maggie McKee who had secured sponsorship of £1000 to defray expenses for the Ladies’ Junior Cup team’s appearance at the All Ireland Finals in Limerick.
The generous sponsor, Catherine McAnerney, representing McAnerney’s Supermarket thanked all who had played and those who had attended or assisted with the coffee morning. Despite the restrictions which Covid has imposed, Catherine expressed gratitude for the continued support of the annual event. She expressed particular thanks to Lily McMullan whose exploits as a golfer were under threat of being eclipsed by her prowess as a knitter and organiser of teams of knitters. She encouraged Ladies to make use of the materials which Lily had supplied to produce additional headbands for sale at Christmas.
The evening concluded with the return of some music to the Club with Lady Captain Anne’s daughter and friends entertaining members to an eclectic mix of music on ukuleles, guitars and drums. For an hour, the appreciative audience were able to listen to the talents of Pauline and friends in what was as close to a “normal” night of entertainment as we have been able to enjoy for a very long time.
Lady Captain Anne McDonald, 1st place winner Jacqueline Kelly, sponsor Mrs Catherine McAnerney & runner up Maggie McKee with other prize winners.
Sponsor Mrs Catherine McAnerney, winner Mrs Jacqueline Kelly & Lady Captain Mrs Anne McDonald.
Sponsor Mrs Catherine McAnerney, winner of 2020 competition Mrs Eilish Grimes & Lady Captain Mrs Anne McDonald