Club News 22nd August

Cannon fires Presidents Prize rivals away
Donal Callaghan Snr held his Presidents' Prize on Saturday and, after some shocking early morning weather, it turned out to be a fine – if breezy – afternoon for golf.
The early starters may have got the worst of the weather but that wasn't enough to stop Aidan Cannon (23) from setting a target that the field couldn't get near as he tallied a stunning 47 points.
After a slow start, pars on the third, fourth and fifth got him going and another on eight was followed by a birdie on the ninth. Five more pars on the back nine brought him home in an exceptional 84 strokes to win the final Major of the summer for Portsalon members.
Second place went to Michael Martin (27) with 41 points, with Johnny Shields (4) lifting the gross prize with 34 gross points.
The Ladies winner on the day was Noreen McConigley (29) with 38 points, while Claire McGonagle (6) took the gross with 24 gross points.

​Donal Callaghan's Presidents' Prize – Saturday 19th August
Winner: Aidan Cannon (23) – 47 pts
Runner-up: Michael Martin (27) – 41 pts
Gross: Johnny Shields (4) – 34 gross pts
Third: Sean Forbes (8) – 39 pts
Best Lady: Noreen McConigley (29) – 38 pts
Ladies Gross: Claire McGonagle (6) – 24 gross pts
First Nine: Stuart Nicholl (26) – 21 pts
Second Nine: Joe Coyle (12) – 23 pts
Past President: Garret Horkan (30) – 32 pts BOT
Visitor: Damian Gallagher (10) – 39 pts
Nearest the Pin: Ryan McGettigan
Longest Drive Gents: Sean Canning
Longest Drive Ladies: Claire McGonagle

Portsalon Scratch Cup 2023
The Portsalon Scratch Cup takes place on Saturday 2nd September, once more kindly sponsored by Manor Motors. The timesheet is now open via BRS or bookings can be made via the shop on 074 9159459.

Club Results
Sunday 20th August
Winner: Michael McFadden (21) – 38 pts
Runner-up: James Durning (25) – 35 pts BOT
Gross: Ryan McGettigan (+1) – 35 gross pts
Third: Denis Friel (18) – 35 pts
Ladies Notes
​
Ulster final glory for Portsalon
Portsalon Ladies Intermediate Cup Team had an outstanding victory over Belfast's Dunmurry GC at the Ulster (North) Finals on Sunday last at Allen Park Antrim.
Despite the late change of venue by Golf Ireland to switch from Letterkenny GC to the borough council public course in Antrim, the Portsalon girls were not deterred.
Unlike the familiarity of Letterkenny, the Portsalon team had never played at Allen Park, managing to squeeze in just one practice round before Sunday's final.
In fairness, Allen Park pulled out all stops to prepare their fairways and greens after the short notice request by Golf Ireland for use of their course to host a full time table of finals, including the Mens and Womens AIG Junior Cups , The AIG Mens Pierce Purcell and the AIG Womens Intermediate Cup.
The team bus left Portsalon at 10.30am on Sunday morning filled with players, caddies and supporters, the atmosphere on board was a mixture of excitement, anticipation and determination.
The first match at Allen Park gave Portsalon the perfect start with an incredible early win by the on form Deirdre O' Toole, who won her match on the 14th hole.
The second match was a much tighter affair, Lady Captain Claire Ferry had a magnificent come back on the finishing holes to win in style on the 18th.
Sarah Nicholl and Deirdre Hensey  were very unlucky not to win their matches, which were closely contested and hard fought by Sarah and Deirdre who had a 100 per-cent record at home in the qualifying rounds
The final match was won by Roisin McCormack on the 19th tie hole. Roisin sunk a fantastic 'crowd pleasing' putt on the 18th to go all square and force the playoff.
With nerves of steel, both Roisin and her opponent teed off and walked the final fairway followed by the entourage from Portsalon and Dunmurry.
The 'make or break' outcome rested firmly on the shoulders of McCormack, who seemed oblivious of the pressure and clinched the match with another exceptionally confident putt.
The jubilant Portsalon players, caddies and supporters were beyond excited by their victory and qualification to the All-Ireland Quarter Finals, to be played in Dundalk Golf Club on September 2nd.
Team Captain Roseanne Logue paid special tribute to the panel of seven players who had all played matches on route to the final including Aedeen Conway and Marian Overend.
The team had beaten Bushfoot, Ballybofey, Newtownstewart and Kilrea against the odds with only two home draws.
Onwards now to another neutral venue Dundalk GC on September 2nd to play the team from Black Bush in Co Meath for a place in the All Ireland semi-finals. 
On what was a brilliant day for golf in the north-west, Strabane GC also completed an historic treble as they won the Ulster Cup, the Pierce Purcell and the Junior Cup. 

---