Again a spectacular trip, with very little to complain about.
First off, we have a new champion. None other than "Chris Moran", who managed to hold it together for the week. Normally he talks himself out of it, but this time he must have talked himself into it and played himself into 1st place by one shot. Congrats Chris from me and all the lads. I hope your handicap won't be badly affected for next year.
A couple of new faces from England. Chris Seal and Nick Aldridge. Both gave of their best on and off the field. I do hope they come again next year. Mario Garofalo put in a fine performance, nearly caught us all napping. Dermot take note.
I heard joe Garofalo had a bit of bad luck, and nobody around to tell him the rules. As I understand it, a ball coming to rest after you strike it, lands in your own bay, can be removed witha two shot penalty. Since I was not there to tell him, he proceeded to play the ball out of the bay. One, two, three, or was it four strikes? or did he just play a bad shot and take it out on the bag? Nevertheless Joe did score well for the rest of the week, and finished with his highest placing. One to watch next year.
One other novelty this year was how quick one memeber was able to supplement his holiday. This year the house had a washing machine and Ironing board. I don't know how he managed it but everytime I saw he was either washing or ironing. Since he was so busy I just let him get on with it.
2002 Week in Westport
A break in tradition this year, which I found a little bit strange to get used to. From a weather point of view we were really lucky, no water to talk about except that which claimed wayward balls brought about by the wind. It did blow a bit in Galway bay and Bellmullet, but it stayed dry.
Bellmullet was a really lovely course but a course you could struggle on very easily if you could not keep the ball on the fairway. I wonder did anybody count how many balls were lost? Time wise we did well. We were out there for 5 hours plus, 2 hours playing fold and three and a half hours looking for balls, teeboxes, fairways, greens. Marks out of ten? As a golf course 10/10 Enjoyment one and a half/10
Castlebar was a first time this year, again a very nice parkland and tricky greens, would you go again... yes. Marks out of ten, eight.
Claremorris re-vistied. More enjoyable this time reound. No rain, some greens very tricky.
Galway bay was dry but very windy. I didn't have a good score and managed to loose a few balls. Highlight of the day was a monster drive on 16, wind assisted, but still about 350 yards...and only a par to show for it.
I was unable to partake in the night life other than the evening meals. A little more attention could be paid to this department. Not as good as Flannerys. I did miss Ballinrobe. I really do like the town. Anybody feel the same way? Comments please.
Honourable mention to Paddy Burke for his big improvement in general play. Hitting off the tee most times was very good, driving the ball beyond 200/230 yards, although it does have its draw back for the rest of us, looking for the ones that miss the fairway.
Tony Morton too put in a spurt this year. He is starting to strike the ball well. A little more constistency and another one to watch for next year.
Sean Walsh, Mike Seal and Dermot of course looking more like golfers by the day.
The Manchester brigade must have decided to keep their powder dry until next year. I played with Chris Hogan in Bellmullet. He didn't hit the ball well all day and on a links course, on a windy day, it says something for his courage to finish out. The only way is up from here on in.
Sean Moran again flatters to deceive. A delay at the start of the week didn't help. Still has a handicap that is much talked about. If Chris can do it, Sean will not be far behind. P.S. but off a respectful handicap.
by: Pat Young