Christmas Outing @ The Royal Dublin

The advent of Christmas is welcomed by many people for a variety of reasons, with an extra one for the members of the Press Radio & TV Golf Society - the eagerly awaited and always enjoyable annual outing to The Royal Dublin Golf Club - to mark the close of our golfing season.
In addition to the main competition for the Hamper and Brendan McKenna Memorial Trophy, the Matchplay Final and Golfer of the Year award are also down for decision, so the breezy but bright morning was a welcome sight as the hopefuls took to the famous links.
The course was in great condition, conducive to good golf, and so it proved as Shay Smith took victory, (his 4th overall win this year) and the trophy commemorating his great friend, by 2pts from host club member Paddy Higgins and Pat Malone. Noreen & Kevin McKenna shared the evening with us and presented their late Dad's trophy to an emotional Shay.
With 4 overall wins in a season, you would imagine that Shay would be the Golfer of the Year, but alas no. The holder of the GOY trophy, Pat Courtney, displayed a high level of consistency throughout the year, and having reached this year's Matchplay final as well, had amassed enough merit points at other outings to retain the title he won in 2012.
History was made on Monday 16th Dec. when Anne Marie Kearney became the first lady golfer to contest the PRTV Matchplay Final, and when she won the 18th hole to take the match into extra holes, the momentum seemed to have swung in her favour. However, Pat Courtney, who was also the holder of this trophy, had other ideas, and retained this title also with victory at the 20th. Congrats to Pat on another remarkable year and 'well played' Anne Marie for her contribution to a great occasion.
While the golf is certainly important, the undoubted highlight of the day is the Christmas Dinner & Cabaret in the Clubhouse, and this year's event did not disappoint. Our Captain, John O'Sullivan was back centre stage looking fit and well again after his recent illness, and looking forward to playing golf again in February. The regular entertainers reunited for the occasion, and Aonghus, Eddie & Ronan sang & played us into the small hours, ably assisted by Tom McGrane, while the decibels were kept in check by the keen ear of sound man Jim.
The Bull Island is a great place to party, we are indebted to Royal Dublin for affording us the opportunity to do so once again, and to quote the Terminator, 'We'll be back'.
Next Outing: Malahide (Annual General Meeting)
February 2014

Details with Paul McCarthy 01-8402123/087-2642637

Full Royal Dublin Results

Photos