Barrett's double up on Captain's Day
It was a brother and sister double act on Captain's Day in Portsalon on Saturday as Sean Barrett beat the rain-sodden conditions to win Gareth McLarnon's Captain's Prize, while his sister Roisin McCormack made it a day to remember for the clan in taking the Ladies prize.
Summertime was decidedly absent on Captain's Day, with rain falling from early morning and getting gradually worse, but that didn't deter 150 golfers from taking aim at the second Major of the season.
Sean Barrett, who went close last year, closed out the win with a 67 nett score to prevail by two shots.
A day earlier, Roisin won the ladies prize with a magnificent 42 points, having herself narrowly missed out on Lady Captain's Day earlier this month!
Congrats to Gareth on presenting a fine day for everyone, complete with a BBQ at the 11th tee for all players and a fine evening in the clubhouse afterwards.
Gareth McLarnon's Captains Prize – Saturday 22nd July
Winner: Sean Barrett (20) – 67
Runner-up: Brendan Cullen (22) – 69 BOT
Gross: Kevin McGonagle (7) – 79 gross
Third: Gerard Dorrian (19) – 69 BOT
First Nine: Stuart Nicholl (25) – 32
Second Nine: Aodh McCormack (23) – 32
Green Tees: Charlie McFadden – 34 pts
Category A: Davitt Walsh (7) – 72
Category B: Donal Callaghan Jnr (13) – 70
Category C: Marshall Kilgore (21) 69
Visitor: Allen Busch
Past Captain: Hugh McGinley (17) – 76
Council: Enda McElhinney (14) – 74
Nearest The Pin: Darren Murray
Longest Drive: Jack Friel
Captain's Prize to the Ladies – Friday July 21st
Winner: Roisin McCormack (20) – 42 pts BOT
Runner-up: Maura Toal (32) – 42 pts
Third: Marian Overend (20) – 39 pts
First Nine: Brighdin Hawke (53) – 22 pts
Second Nine: Eileen McLarnon (30) – 21 pts
Portsalon Open Week
Open Week concluded on Thursday last with a Ladies open bringing to an end our eight-day festival of golf. Despite often inclement weather, with more than one day when the course was saturated, the numbers were strong and the feedback from visiting golfers was overwhelmingly positive.
Our thanks go to the greens staff for their hard work and also to our Ladies and Gents competition secretaries for lining up the excellent and varied programme for all. And, most importantly, to wonderful sponsors, without whom Open Week simply could not happen.
Results
Tuesday 19th July – V-Par sponsored by Donegal Oil
Winner: Jamie Foley (3) – 6up
Runner-up: Pauric Curley (25) – 4up BOT
Gross: Barry McGettigan (1) – 1up
Third: Ronan McClafferty (14) – 4up
First Nine: Patrick McGowan (11) – 3up
Second Nine: TJ Evesson (20) – 2up
Visitor: John Spiers (Warrenpoint, 18) – 4up
Wednesday 19th July – Ladies & Gents Open sponsored by Letterkenny Driving Range
Winner: Rory O'Donnell (30) – 44 pts
Runner-up: Conor Gallagher (10) – 43 pts BOT
Gross: Ryan McGettigan (Scr) – 36 pts
Third: Sadie-Marie Ni Chuireáin (23) – 43 pts
First Nine: Corey McCahill (34) – 23 pts
Second Nine: Colin Porter (28) – 24 pts
Visitor: Colin Porter (Portnoo, 28) – 41 pts
GOLFER OF THE WEEK: Rory O'Donnell
Club Results
Sunday 23rd July
Winner: Bruce Thompson (27) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Alistair Rodger (18) – 39 pts
Gross: Paddy McGroarty (11) – 27 gross pts
Third: Alfie Rodger (32) – 38 pts
Team News
Congratulations to Sean Hensey and his Donegal Junior League side after they stage a fine turnaround on Sunday when they welcome Gweedore GC to Portsalon. Sean's side battled hard in the away leg but still found themselves behind. On Sunday, with the course set up still challenging after Captain's Day, they made the most of home advantage to take all five matches and move onto the next stage where they will face either Strabane or Cloughaneely.
It was the opposite story for Joe Hensey and his Donegal Seniors side, as they fell to a 5-0 against a strong Ballybofey & Stranorlar side on Sunday afternoon.
Upcoming fixtures
Sunday 30th July – Monthly Medal
Saturday 5th August – Charlie Canning Memorial
Monday 7th August – Barton Cup
LADIES NOTES
PORTSALON GC IN ULSTER FINAL
Portsalon INTERMEDIATE TEAM have reached the Golf Ireland Ulster Final (northern zone) which will be played in Letterkenny GC on 20th August
Portsalon's had an epic 'against all odds' win over Co Derry club Kilrea on Sunday 16th July. It was definitely a day for the under dogs.
Deirdre Hensey and Sarah Nicholl had early emphatic wins for Portsalon at home but one win from the three away matches was needed in Kilrea.
Portsalon's Lady Captain Claire Ferry and Marian Overend encountered the toughest opposition playing Kilrea's no1 and No2, they fought hard but were beaten by Kilrea's home course experts.
This left Roisin McCormack in the last match with Kilrea's Noreen Graham. It was nip and tuck all the way but Roisin lost 16 to go two holes down.
Roisin managed to dig deep and regain her composure to take the 17th and teed off at 18 knowing she had to win the last hole to evoke a play off. To the shock of the Kilrea supporters Róisín sank her putt and Noreen missed. Match all square Game on.
McCormack now in the ascendancy was first to tee off and landed her drive in a fantastic position, her second shot however was the match winner, resting her ball 10inchs from the pin.
Noreen was totally gracious in defeat and insisted on taking a photo of Róisín before her tap in birdie putt.
Portsalon now face Co Antrim club Cairndhu or Belfast club Dunmurry in the Ulster (North) final in the neutrality of Letterkenny on 20th August.

​Captain's Prize
Gareth McLarnon will host his Captain's Day on Saturday 22nd July. The timesheet is typically busy but there are still some spots remaining for those wishing to play in the first gents Major of the season.

​Portsalon Open Week
Results
Wednesday 12th July – Ladies & Gents Open sponsored by Patterson's Caravan Site
Winner: Rory O'Donnell (30) – 46 pts
Runner-up: Corey McCahill (35) – 42 pts
Gross: Ryan McGettigan (1) – 39 pts
Third: Sean McCormack (36) – 42 pts
First Nine: Sean Canning (23) – 22 pts
Second Nine: Maura Toal (32) – 23 pts
Visitor: Paul Boyle (Strabane, 12) – 39 pts
Thursday 13th July – Ladies & Gents Stroke sponsored by Total Golf, Derry
Winner: Micheál O'Dochartaigh (Gweedore, 18) – 65
Runner-up: Fearghal Eastwood Jnr (15) – 66 BOT
Gross: Barry McGettigan (2) – 72 gross
Third: Joe Ferry (17) – 66
First Nine: Chuck McTaggart (13) – 32
Second Nine: Peter O'Kane (19) – 30
Visitor: Manus Harley (North West, 20) – 68
Friday 14th July – 2-Ball Scramble in aid of Donegal Hospice (prizes sponsored by Keating Amenities)
Winners: M Gallagher / J Gallagher (9) – 45 pts BOT
Runners-up: C McTaggart / P Durning (7) – 45 pts
Third: A McAlary / J McCarron (8) – 44 pts
First Nine: C Scallon / B Boyle (11) – 23 pts
Second Nine: R McClafferty / D McClafferty (8) – 23 pts
Saturday 15th July – 4BBB sponsored by Knockalla Caravan Site
Winner: H McGinley / S Nicholl (21) – 50 pts
Runners-up: C McLaughlin / M Blaney (30) – 49 pts
Third: N Nicholl / S Nicholl (18) – 47 pts
First Nine: G Sheehan / J McGettigan (20) – 25 pts
Second Nine: I Ward / A Sweeney (32) – 25 pts
Sunday 16th July – Ladies & Gents Stableford sponsored by Pat O'Neill Building Services
Winner: Johnny Strain (33) – 43 pts
Runner-up: Kieran Moloney (20) – 42 pts BOT
Gross: Pascal Cullen (3) – 32 gross pts
Third: Tony Kingston (19) – 42 pts
First Nine: Jacqui Townsend (43) – 21 pts
Second Nine: Mark Howard (10) – 24 pts
Visitor: Kevin Thomas (Foyle GC, 9) – 39 pts BOT
Monday 17th July – Open sponsored by Oilean Glas Teoranta
Winner: Peter Gallagher (11) – 43 pts BOT
Runner-up: Cathal Toland (17) – 43 pts
Gross: Kevin Hensey (5) – 34 gross pts
Third: Mark Gallagher (16) – 41 pts
First Nine: Noel Nicholl (16) – 24 pts
Second Nine: Hugh O'Kane (22) – 22 pts
Visitor: Matthew McColgan (30) – 40 pts
 

Portsalon Open Week
The fixture list below is for Open Week 2023. All Timesheets are now live. 

Wednesday 12th July = Open Week - Singles Stableford kindly sponsored by Pattersons Caravan Park – Gents & Ladies
Thursday 13th July = Open Week - Single Stroke kindly Sponsored by Total Golf – Gents & Ladies
Friday 14th July = Open Week - Open Week -2 person Scramble for Donegal Hospice Charity Day (All proceeds on the day go to Donegal hospice) Gents & Ladies (Any combination) Prizes kindly sponsored by Keating Amenities.
Saturday 15th July = Open Week - 4BBB kindly sponsored by Knockalla Caravan & Campsite - Gents & Ladies (Any combination)
Sunday 16th July 2023 = Open Week - Single Stableford kindly Sponsored by Pat O'Neill Building Services Ltd Gents & Ladies
Monday 17th July = Open Week - Single Stableford kindly Sponsored by Oilean Glas Teoranta - Gents & Ladies
Tuesday 18th July = Open Week - V Par Kindly Sponsored by Donegal Oil - Gents & Ladies
Wednesday 19th July = Open Week - Single Stableford kindly Sponsored by Letterkenny Driving Range - Gents & Ladies
Thursday 20th July = Open Week - Singles Stableford kindly Sponsored by Belles Kitchen Rathmullan - LADIES ONLY

We would like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support.
​
Captain's Outing 2023
Gareth McLarnon's Captain's Outing will take place on Saturday 30th September in North West Golf Club, Buncrana. There are two options on the day.
Option 1: Golf only - The tee is booked from 12.30pm – Cost €30 per player
Option 2: Golf + B&B and an evening meal at the Harbour Inn, Buncrana – Cost €115
There is a sheet in the gents locker room where you can put your name down or please email [email protected]. Places are limited so please confirm as soon as you can, €50 deposit due for overnights by 31st July.

​Club Results
Wednesday 28th June
Winner: Paul Gallagher (10) – 39 pts
Runner-up: Kane Barrett (22) – 38 pts BOT
Gross: Ryan McGettigan (1) – 36 gross pts
Third: Mark Bolton (29) – 38 pts
Saturday 1st July
Winner: Paddy Merritt (16) – 39 pts BOT
Runner-up: Joe Coyle (10) – 39 pts
Gross: Daniel Shields (7) – 27 gross pts
Third: Shaun Callaghan (16) – 38 pts
Sunday 2nd July
Winner: Conor Scallon (20) – 40 pts
Runner-up: John Shields (18) – 39 pts BOT
Gross: Stephen Connolly (6) – 33 gross pts
Third: Garrett Horkan (29) – 39 pts

​​Portsalon Ladies
Team News
Congratulations to Portsalon GC Maire O'Donnell team who won their first round match against North West GC in June and had a great home performance on Sunday 3rd July in their opening second round match against Letterkenny. The away fixture to be played in Letterkenny before July 31st.
Team Captain Sarah Nicholl said after Sunday's match that she was very pleased that Portsalon had won four out of five matches at home.
Congratulations also to Portsalon's AIG Golf Ireland Intermediate Cup Team who have progressed to the semi-final of the Ulster North section of this prestigious competition; with comprehensive victories over Bushfoot, Ballybofey and Newtownstewart.
Team Captain Roseanne Logue and players Lady Captain Claire Ferry, Roisin McCormack, Sarah Nicholl, Deirdre Hensey, Aedeen Conway and Marian Overend will miss their team stalwart Deirdre O'Toole who leaves for Australia next week. Deirdre will miss the semi-final against Co Derry die- hards Kilrea GC, with the match to be played before 23rd July.
Lady Captain's Prize 
The first major of the season takes place this Saturday in Portsalon with Claire Ferry's Lady Captain's Day. The time sheet is packed but there are still some spaces available in the afternoon.
There is a draw in place for the ladies starting at 11am, all details on the BRS system or please ring the golf shop to check the tee times on 074 91 59459. Best wishes to Lady Captain Claire Ferry on her special day.