Malachy picks up second win
Congratulations to Malachy O’Rourke who got his second win of 2012 when he returned an excellent 44 points edging out Michael Smith who had carded another excellent 43 points. Michael had an excellent round just let down by finding the river at the 17^th.
Look out Spain
Many EC countries have been in the news recently for economic reasons but Spain may well encounter bigger trouble next week as the annual Ashfield tour hits the country. There will be four days golfing for the 18 man squad but Seamus McNulty assures me that it will be a case of early nights and a strict limit on alcohol consumption. Have a good time boys and I fancy Eugene McCullagh to be the overall winner, closely followed by Thomas Hughes.
A reminder to all members that a nite at the races will take place on Saturday 3^rd March, commencing at 9.00 sharp and there will be a light supper provided.
Coaching for the juveniles with Barry Treanor commences next Saturday and Gareth tells me that the juvenile membership is really healthy this year. Rememeber keep in touch with all club activities by logging on to the web-site.
Congratulations from all at Ashfield to the Crossmaglen Rangers club on reaching another All-Ireland final.

A good Rumble
This weekend’s competition was a three-man-rumble and with the weather remaining kind to golfers there was an excellent turn-out of members. Have not got all the cards returned at this point but it will be difficult for any threesome to beat the 86 points returned by Aidan Carragher, Kieran Simpson and Eugene McCullagh. Lying in second at the last count was the 82 points returned by Thomas Hughes, Terry Mulholland and Con McParland. Next weekend we revert to a Singles competition.
Past Captains Raymond Murphy and Eugene McCooey would be considered two of our biggest and best drivers of the golf ball, pity I can’t say the same about their ability to park their vehicles!!
A reminder to Committee members and any other member interested that there will be a meeting on Thursday night reference arrangements for a nite @ the races due to take place on Saturday 3^rd March. Any member who has yet to purchase a horse is asked to contact a Committee member before Thursday. Remember your £20 purchase could turn into £200.
Looking ahead a reminder that it is planned to have the Captain’s Drive –in on the second Sunday of March. Juvenile coaching plans are well under way and all juveniles are asked to check the web site for details.
Happy St Valentines Day to all but especially to the special one—you know who you are!!

Garry continues good form
Garry O’Hare continued his 2011 form as he teamed up with new member Peter Daly to win last weekends Four Ball better Ball Format. Just goes to prove that Garry is not just a good Face-book player.
This weekend was a Single Stable-ford format but after a couple of holes it was obvious that the greens were not going to thaw out quickly so the Convenor took the right decision to halt the competition to safe guard our excellent greens. Next weekend will be a Three Man Rumble and Mattie will probably take account of this weeks fees paid—the treasurer may think otherwise.
The Captains Drive-In has been pencilled in for the second Sunday in March, weather permitting, and a big turn out will be expected to honour Sean and Marie.
The nite at the races is going to go ahead on the 3rd of March and all members are asked to ensure that they have purchased a horse for the occasion. Michael Savage has assured me that they are absolutely no trouble and only require the minimum of cleaning out. They could not possibly produce as much s—- as most members talk every Sunday morning!!

Another super weekend for golf and members turned out in force to compete for the Single Stableford prize. Once again the course conditions were excellent and Gerard Roe made full use of the playing conditions as he returned 40 points, edging out Eugene McCullagh who hit 39 points.
Next weekends competition is a two man scramble.
A reminder to all members that the club will be running a night at the races on Saturday 3rd March and support by purchasing a horse and attending on the night will be very much appreciated.
The club’s web site has been updated and members are asked to make use of this for all club information.
Competition Convenor Mattie Rice is currently drawing up the year’s competition formats and this will be posted on the web as soon as it is finalized (click here). Club membership fees are due and these should be paid to the Treasurer as soon as possible.

Competition Convenor Malachy O’Rourke has been working hard at updating the Ashfield web page and it will have all the competition details, results, dates for match-play competitions etc. It will be our intention to put a list of our sponsors on the site as soon as all are finalised so members are asked to get into the habit of visiting the site.
Juvenile convenors Gareth and Damian have entered the club in the Ronan Rafferty and Fred Daly Plate so there will be lots of opportunities for the juveniles to show their talent this year. It will be the Convenors intention to invite Barrie Trainor to continue with his coaching this year so all juveniles will have the chance to improve their game. All juvenile information will be found on the website, if we can teach Gareth how to type!
Nite at the Races
Finance Convenor Michael Savage has plans in place for a nite at the races fund raiser and it will be expected that all members support this by buying a horse in advance and attending on the night.
This weekend saw a 4 ball Better ball format and once again there was a big turn out of members making use of the good weather and excellent course conditions. While a number of pairings returned 42 points, Collie Stuttard/Joe Kindlon returned an excellent 44 points but this was two points short of Rory Donnelly/Liam McCreesh whose 46 will hardly be beaten, even though at this point all cards are not returned. Could Larry and Michael return 47?
Next weekend will be a singles Stableford format and again a reminder for members to ensure that they make use of the web site—it will soon make me surplus to requirements.
The owner of the wedding ring found by Martin Rooney last week has been identified.

What a contrast to this time last year when golf was non existent. This weekend saw a great turn out as members made full use of the excellent weather conditions and the super course conditions. There is already evidence of the plans that the new management have for the course and members are looking forward to season 2012.
Last weekend saw a three day compettion and this was won by the new Handicap Convenor (no I’m not making any point) Malachy O’Rourke with 42 points, just edging out Eugene McCullagh who had returned a creditable 41 points.
This weekend Mattie had put in place another Singles stableford and this time it was Garry O’Hare, who showed that he has lost none of his 2011 form as he returned 42 points just winning from Joe Murphy.
From the first couple of weeks results it is obvious that to win in 2012 is not going to be any easer than in 2011.
The first Committee meeting of 2012 will take place this Thursday night at 8.30pm. All Committee members are to take this as official and yes it is a change from the usual Wednesday night slot—no United are not playing.
On behalf of Captain Sean and all the Committee I would like to extend to all readers a prosperous and peaceful 2012.