Lightning strikes at Black Bush

Despite adverse weather conditions that included the odd flash of lightning, golfers from all parts of the country turned up at Black Bush last week for the club's annual Ladies/Assistants Pro-Am. The sunshine and clear skies that greeted those who teed-off early in the morning gave way to cold and wet conditions in the afternoon and the tournament was held up for approximately 40 minutes because of the lightning. When play resumed late in the afternoon Seamus McMonagle from the Edmondstown Golf Club in Dublin went on to claim top spot with a score of 71 while Gary Cullen (Beaverstown) secured second place on 72. The Pro-Am is one of only two of its kind in the country and is run under the aegis of PGA Ireland. This year 50 teams took part with each consisting of an assistant professional and three lady golfers. While they missed out on the top individual prizes, golfers from the host club managed to achieve considerable success. First place in the team category was claimed by McMonagle, His team also included Marian Curtin as well as Black Bush golfers Kathleen O'Malley and Pauline O'Meara. In second place was the team consisting of Padraig McGrath, Therese McCormick, Olwen Delaney and Black Bush's Ann Liston. Players from the host club - Pat Crimmins and Monica O'Brien - were also part of the side that clinched third place. Their line-up also included Andrew Carter and Elaine Healy. The assistant professionals compete in their own singles competition and the two best scores from the team members are factored in to decide placings in the team competitions. Helping out throughout the day was Black Bush professional Shane O'Grady who outlined how the Dunshaughlin-based club has steadily built up its membership since it was formed in 1989. "The club was started by a few locals and it has steadily evolved to the point where it has nearly 1,000 members now, in a 27-hole complex, it's a busy golf club," he said. "This pro-am is designed to give the assistants (trainee-professionals) a chance to play competitive golf, they don't get an opportunity to play a lot of golf, they're training, they're working long hours in golf clubs. "Qualified assistants can't take part, it's only trainees and there's only two competitions of this kind in the country." Black Bush rolled out their Assistants' Pro-Am six years ago and it has steadily increased in popularity with shot-gun starts in the morning and afternoon. The format has proved to be very popular. "The tournament was full two or three weeks ago an that's a credit to the club and the members at these times because some clubs are struggling. "We've a good core membership, it's a fun club, it's very active socially and 27 holes is a big factor in attracting people," added O'Grady. Lady captain Mary Lawlor said that she was helped out in her role by a hard-working committee. She paid tribute to club members who had put in a big effort to raise the €4,400 prizemoney. She also praised those who had been involved in getting the sponsors in place for the year, a difficult job in the current economic climate.