​Club News
Horkan wins Presidents Prize
Donal Callaghan Snr held his Presidents prize on Saturday, the final Major of the summer for gents and ladies, and it was Garrett Horkan (30) that won the top prize with a fine score of 41 points.
Heavy showers throughout the day ensured that playing conditions were often testing. Diarmuid Logue (6) took next-best with a superb 40 pts, while Sarah Nicholl (21) was also able to tally 40 pts for third place ahead of Giles Kilpatrick (21), also on 40 pts.
The gents gross went the way of former Captain Eamonn McConigley (5) with 30 gross pts, while Claire McGonagle (5) won the Ladies gross with 27 gross pts.
Paul Armstrong held off the competition to take the not-to-be-sniffed at distinction of Best Past President.
Donal thanked everyone that played on the day for turning out and for the continuing courtesy that is shown to him by everyone in the club. He also paid a special debt of thanks to his predecessor, Paul Armstrong, and Club Manager Daragh Lyons for their invaluable assistance across recent years in his various roles within Portsalon GC.
Captain Pat Horner told the assembled gathering that Donal has held almost every position imaginable within the club, with great distinction, while Lady Captain Noreen McConigley paid tribute to Donal for the excellent steering job he has done in recent years as the popularity of our President was clear for all to see.

Donal Callaghan's Presidents Day – Saturday 24th August
Winner: Garrett Horkan (30) – 41 pts
Runner-up: Diarmuid Logue (6) – 40 pts BOT
Third: Sarah Nicholl (21) – 40 pts BOT
Fourth: Giles Kilpatrick (21) – 40 pts
Men's Gross: Eamonn McConigley (5) – 30 gross pts
Ladies Gross: Claire McGonagle (5) – 27 gross pts
1st Nine: Ger Hardiman (34) – 21 pts
2nd Nine: Francis Shanahan (26) – 22 pts
Past President: Paul Armstrong
Nearest The Pin Men: Joe Ferry
Nearest The Pin Women: Geraldine Hickland
Longest Drive Men: Sean Hensey
Longest Drive Ladies: Rachel Hall

Juniors enjoy Major day in Portsalon
Thursday was 'Major day' for our juniors in Portsalon with the annual staging of the Kernaghan Cup and Shaw Shield.
The Kernaghan Cup - for junior golfers without an official handicap – was won by Jack Sweeney after he defeated Cormac McIntyre in the final, with Christian Givan and Ruairi Hull the defeated semi-finalists. Well done to all and definitely some bright talents on display.
The Shaw Shield - for under-18's with an official Golf Ireland handicap – was won by Charlie Patton playing off 12 with a superb tally of 38 points as he pipped 14-handicapper Harry Brown on the break-of-tie.
Our thanks to Junior Convenor Eamonn McConigley and Club Manager Daragh Lyon for their invaluable help today and all year – without them it wouldn’t be possible – and to all that assisted on the course, in the shop and upstairs today to ensure our juniors had a memorable day

Mary McDaid
The qualifier for the annual Mary McDaid interclub day will be held on Friday 30th and Sunday 1st Sept. Don’t forget to sign the entry sheet in the locker room.
The tournament will be played on the 14th September.

Condolences

Lady Captain Noreen and the ladies branch extend their deepest sympathies to Bernard and all the O’Kane family in Derry on the passing of Sally, who proudly served as our Lady Captain in 2016. Sally passed away peacefully at home on the 20th August. Sally’s warmth, kindness and generosity of spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Donal Callaghan's Presidents Day
Best wishes to our Club President, Donal Callaghan Snr, ahead of his big day on Saturday. President's Day is the final Major of the summer in Portsalon, offering those players that have gone 'close, but not close enough' one final opportunity to get the job done. A bit like Arsenal, the pressure will be on to succeed for those that fall into that category!
Boycey leaves Portsalon dancing in the dark
Kevin Boyce somehow managed to hold his nerve on the second sudden death playoff hole on Wednesday night as Portsalon completed a remarkable Junior League fightback win over Dunfanaghy in near darkness.
He may be better known for his exploits with the guitar under the lights, but last night it was the putter that called the tune of success amid the torches of his teammates.
Team captain Dermot Shields saw his defeated 4-1 in the first leg but they went on the attack at home and confident wins from Ciaran McCormick, Davitt Walsh and Boyce were enough to get them back in the tie, while Clive Davidson went down fighting against some exceptional golf.
Last to finish in regulation time was Paddy McGowan and he produced a birdie on the first extra hole in his match to force a 5-5 stalemate and a resulting sudden death shootout.
With light fading fast, the teams agreed to go down the 1st and back up the 18th holes in pursuit of a winner.
The first extra hole was halved in pars and, with light rapidly running out and torches to the fore, the wily Boyce laid up on 18, chipped on and two-putted for a bogey that was good enough to win the playoff in exceptionally difficult playing conditions.
Although, gutted, the Dunfanaghy team were sporting in defeat, continuing the manner in which both legs were played.
Dermot and his side now move on to face Cloughaneely next and, presumably, they will be glad to get back playing in broad daylight when they do!
Club Results
Wednesday 14th August
Winner: Ronan McClafferty (15) – 46 pts
Runner-up: Cathal Canning ( 8 ) – 40 pts
Gross: Sean Hensey (4) – 33 pts
Third: Mick McGlynn (32) – 39 pts
Saturday 17th August
Winner: Cian Page ( 8 ) – 42 pts
Runner-up: Paddy Sheridan (18) – 40 pts
Gross: Kevin Hensey (4) – 32 gross pts
Third: Thomas Cullen (14) – 38 pts
Sunday 18th August
Winner: Joe Hensey (16) – 42 pts BOT
Runner-up: Christian Heath (20) – 42 pts
Gross: Kevin McGonagle ( 8 ) – 33 gross pts
Third: Vincent McDaid (13) – 39 pts

Ladies News

President’s Day
It’s not just the welcome smile you get when you enter the shop in Portsalon Golf Club, it’s the reassurance with a twinkle in his eye, that the chocolate bar for the 10th tee box won’t add an extra pound, the gorgeous size 10 top for sale would be far too big for me, and that there will be loads of shelter on the 3rd fairway from the brisk breeze whooping in from the sea.
Our club President Donal Callaghan’s role can’t be matched by any other, and I always leave the shop with a smile of expectation of many pars and the odd birdie. So, as his President’s Day approaches on Saturday, Lady Captain Noreen and the ladies branch all wish Donal a wonderful day, and regardless of the weather, a sunny one with his family and friends.

Mary McDaid
There will be a qualifier for the Mary McDaid annual inter-club competition on the Alternate Fri 30th August and Sun 1st Sept. Lady Captain Noreen McConigley will lead the team of 8 out on the 14th September and not the 7th As originally stated.


Past Captain’s Day
Past Captain’s will go ahead as planned on the 21st September, all just before the Winter Links kicks off again, but we’ll say nothing about that yet!

Play in Pink
The Play in Pink competition which is the annual charity fundraiser for breast cancer research and was postponed earlier in the year will now be played on October 4th which is the last of the ladies Opens this year.



Results:
18th August
Winner: Hilary Thompson 38pts
Runner-Up: Dana Clinton 36pts

11th August
Winner: Eileen McLarnon 37 pts BOT
Runner-Up: Dana Clinton 37pts BOT

Passing of Eugene McGettigan
It was with great sadness on Saturday morning past that we learned of the sudden and untimely passing of Eugene McGettigan.
Eugene was our Portsalon GC Captain in 1999 and a long-standing member here for many years. The infectious nature of his personality meant Eugene made a rapid impact on Portsalon when he joined and so it was with great pride that he pulled on the famous blazer to become captain in '99.
A keen golfer, camaraderie and a team ethos were central to Eugene's thinking and so it was that he became a key team captain in his time, with his Ulster Cup teams enjoying some famous wins around the province and some unforgettable occasions for those involved in the teams.
A love of golf was something Eugene certainly passed on to his three sons – Barry, Ryan and Rory – all of whom spent time in their youth working in the shop here in the golf club.
It would be impossible to have spent time in Eugene's company without getting a sense of the pride that he had in his sons. Their exploits on and off the golf course clearly meant the world to him.
Their love of the game was fuelled by him and, in return, he got an immense pleasure in seeing them succeed on the golf course, with some famous days enjoyed out on the course in Portsalon and celebrated accordingly afterwards.
At this time, the thoughts and prayers of all of us at Portsalon GC are with Barry, Ryan & Rory, their mother Eileen and the large extended McGettigan Family clan as they come to terms with this devastating loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Upcoming events
Donal Callaghan's Presidents Day will take place on Saturday 24th August, the timesheet will be available for member booking on Saturday 17th August from 6.00pm.
Donegal League in battle with Bundoran
Cathal Canning and his Donegal League panel emerged with a credible 3-2 first leg loss away in Bundoran amid high winds at the southern seaside venue. Portsalon's opening match-up of Jack Friel and Kevin Boyce got the tie off to a flyer, playing some superb golf en route to winning their game 3&2, while the second Portsalon point was registered by Donal Callaghan Jnr and Shane Sandilands, who ran out 4&2 winners after a see-saw tussle. The second leg of the semi-final will be played in Portsalon on Saturday 31st August / Sunday 1st September, with a date still to be confirmed.
Club Results
Wednesday 7th August
Winner: Cathal Toland (18) – 45 pts
Runner-up: Paul L Armstrong (17) – 42 pts
Gross: Michael Campbell (1) – 32 gross pts
Third: Conor Scallon (18) – 37 pts
Saturday 10th August
Winner: Cathal Toland (17) – 41 pts
Runner-up: John Bowe (23) – 40 pts
Gross: David Bonner ( 8 ) – 30 gross pts
Third: John Logue (17) – 38 pts
Sunday 11th August
Winner: Johnny Moore (17) – 44 pts
Runner-up: Jack McGarrigle (7) – 41 pts
Gross: Pascal Cullen (4) – 36 gross pts
Third: Eamonn Doherty (18) – 39 pts

Ladies News 
In the week that our sporting heroes returned from the Olympics in Paris, the Portsalon Ladies Get into Golf initiative, also drew to a close. If you listened to any of the interviews given by our athletes in Paris, they all said something similar. They want to encourage future generations into sport. Not necessarily to be national champions but even just for the benefits of improved physical and mental health.


Those of us who have been playing golf for a number of years will readily admit it can be a little frustrating at times! But we are always drawn back. We will also confess to never have been invited to join the European Tour. I can also safely say, no-one can remember how many balls they have lost, how many fresh air shots they have had, and how many thousands of putts they have missed!


So my message this is week is directed to the new ladies who have been coming to Portsalon throughout this summer. We all started out as beginners. The sport of golf can at times be frustrating when the ball doesn’t land where you expected it to. That’s why we are amateurs. We can be over critical indeed.


However, golf is one of the finest sports that you will ever partake in. The social aspect of the game that opens and welcomes new friendships. The fresh air, the walk, the camaraderie, sociability and general good feeling when you leave the course cannot be measured.


The 10 weeks of scrambles and introductory to golf which the ladies took part in has ended, but I hope it is just the start of many wonderful years of golf for all of you.


Many thanks to our lady members who also took part, our Pro Daragh and Lady Captain Noreen.

​Upcoming events 
Donal Callaghan's Presidents Day will take place on Saturday 24th August, the timesheet will be available for member booking on Saturday 17th August from 6.00pm. 

Donegal League team to face Bundoran
Best of luck to Cathal Canning and his Donegal League panel as they play the first leg of their semi-final with Bundoran this Sunday afternoon, with tee-off at the south Donegal venue at 2.00pm. 

Andy Boland wins the Charlie Canning Memorial 
The sun shone in Portsalon on Saturday for the 10th anniversary of the Charlie Canning Memorial Tournament and it was long-standing Portsalon member and former club captain Andy Boland who took the honours with a terrific score of 39 points.
Andy was a very popular winner and spoke fondly of Charlie and what the trophy means to him as he collected the trophy off Charlie's sister, Nana, in the clubhouse on Saturday evening.
Andy narrowly pipped last year's winner, Sean Forbes and Enda McElhinney on the break-of-tie while Claire McGonagle claimed her second women's title with 32 points.
The Canning family were delighted to welcome Charlie's sister Nana to present the prizes to the winners and look forward to doing it all again next year! Huge praise also to the Canning family, as their fundraiser to coincide with the 10th anniversary raised €710 on the day for CRITICAL. 
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 - 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁
Winner: Andy Boland (17) 39 pts BOT
Runner-up: Sean Forbes (7) 39 pts BOT
Third: Enda McElhinney (15) 39 pts
Gross: Paul Whorton (2) 33 gross pts
Best Lady Claire McGonagle (5) 32 pts
1st Nine: Sarah Nicholl (21) 21pts
2nd Nine: Mick Leonard (13) 21pts

Back-to-back Barton Cups for Donal Callaghan Jnr
The August Bank Holiday Monday saw the latest staging of the Barton Cup, one of Ireland's oldest matchplay events, and it was a familiar face that came out on top as Donal Callaghan Jnr retained the crown he won 12 months ago to add a third Barton Cup win to his collection.
Donal was one of eight qualifiers from the morning nine holes, scoring 25 points after completing the Barton Nine in level par. 
The quarter finals saw Jack Patton (1) defeating Harry Brown (7), while Cathal Roarty (9) saw off Cathal McGettigan (10 and Odhran McGowan (10) took out Daniel Shields (4). Ducky started his journey with a win over Michael McCormick (2).
In the semi-finals, Cathal Roarty got the win over Jack Patton, with Donal Callaghan edging out Odhran McGowan.
The final was a tense and quality battle, with Ducky leading 2up early on before Cathal fought back to level the match. They were inseparable after nine holes and teed off up the first again, where a birdie-three from Donal took the measure of Cathal's par and got the win. 
Another fantastic renewal of this Portsalon original, which as always saw a large crowd following the action across the day. Thanks to all that supported the Barton Cup this year and congrats to our winner, the finalists and all those that played in the knockouts. 

Club Results 
Wednesday 31st July
Winner: Martin Duffy (23) – 43 pts
Runner-up: Brian Forrest (22) – 41 pts
Gross: Kevin Hensey (4) – 36 gross pts
Third: Brian McAleer (13) – 39 pts

Sunday 4th August
Winner: Daniel Shields (7) – 37 pts
Runner-up: Brian Boyle (24) – 35 pts BOT
Gross: Shaun Strain (8) – 26 gross pts
Third: Kieran Barron (12) – 35 pts

Ladies News

After the excitement and bustle of last weekend and Lady Captains Day, this week has been somewhat a little quieter!
Congratulations to Claire McGonagle (5) who was the best of the ladies in the Charlie Canning Memorial with 32 points. Her second time to win the ladies section. Also, well done to Sarah Nicholl (21) who won the front 9 with 21pts.

As the lady beginners Introduction to Golf scrambles are drawing to a close, appreciation to all those who came to help on a Friday evening, giving up their time or contributing is appreciated.

The last Major of the year is  Sat 24th August for President Donal Callaghan’s day.

Congratulations to Eileen McLarnon , winner of the July Monthly Re-entry. There was no valid competition this weekend.

Results
July Month

Winner – Eileen McLarnon
Runner-Up – Deirdre Hensey