Thu 03 May 12

Golf: Adrian Canny Blows Field Awaw at Grangecaste

18 Hole Competition, 20th April 2012

Report: Paul O’Rahilly, Irish Blind Golf Society.

Adrian Canny took a break from studying for his physiotherapy finals to score 39 points, and blow the field away on the Clondalkin golf course.

Adrian amassed a tidy 18 points on the opening nine, playing to his handicap of 15. He improved his score on the back nine with an excellent 21 points,
finishing with a birdie 4 on the short par 5 18th. Second place went to Adrian Downey who also had a very good homeward nine, of 20 points.

This is the first time the society has played in Grangecastle. Thanks to
Adrian Downey, our newest member for organising the day.

Results: A. Canny (15), 39 points, A. Downey (30) 31 points, P.
O’Rahilly (28) 28 points, W. Roode (25) 24 points J. Lonergan (45) 8 points.
J. Murray (45) NR, I. Corr (54) NR.

For further details check out the IBGS website Click here or contact the Secretary, by email at Click Email

Thu 22 March 12

Golf: Adrian and Paul Share Spoils at Newlands

IBGS 9 Hole Tournament, Newlands, 9th March

Irish Blind Golf Society
Results from Newlands G.C. 9 Hole Competition
March 15th, 2012

Paul O’Rahilly and Adrian Canny shared the honours at the opening event of 2012. Paul, the reigning order of merit champion, set outhis stall in defense of his title. Adrian, playin off the lower handicap of 15 covered the nine holes in a wel controlled 46 gross, but his miss from two feet on the final par 3 ninth for par, denied him the win.

This is the seventhh occasion that IBGS has been invited to Newlands. This has been made possible by the gentlemen of the “Thursdays” golf society. This society, who played with the blind golfers, made all the members and caddies of IBGS feel welcome. Many thanks to “Thursdays” captain and of course to Jimmy Sealy for their generosity.

Results: P. O’Rahilly (28), 15 points, A. Cannyy (15), 15 points, A. Downey (30) 13 points, O.Kyne (45) 11 points, J. Murray (45) 10 points, I.Corr (54) 10 points, J. Lonergan (45) 0 points.

For further details check out the IBGS website Click here or contact the Secretary, by email at Click Email

- Paul O’Rahilly.

Sat 31 March 12

Putt Blindfolded at Golf Fundraiser

Friday 25th May, Hollywood Lakes, Dublin

Golf Classic Fundraiser
May 25th Hollywood Lakes Golf Club in North Co Dublin tee-ing off from 10 am – 2.00pm
€200.00 per team of four that will include a light lunch
Putting on greens 9 and 18 will be blindfolded for all participants
All proceeds will go to Irish Blind Golf Society, Fighting Blindness and Irish Blind Sports
Don’t forget the monthly Golf lessons at Leopardstown Driving Range – Contact Peter for more details: 086 815 0145 or Clodagh on 01 7093050

Wed 18 January 12

Golf: Have A Go, Again

Get you name in by Friday

John Langan has kindly agreed to have the next golf training day in Leopardstown Golf Centre, Foxrock, on Tuesday Jan 24th. Starting at 7.30pm, there will be 90 minutes of tuition for experienced and novice golfers with disabilities.

Can you please let Paul O’Rahill or Pam Robinson know before Friday if you are available. Email: info@ibsports.ie

Thu 15 December 11

Have a Go Golf a Great Success

Give it Go’ Golf took place on Tuesday evening (6th December) and participants had a great session. Our thanks to John Langan of Leopardstown Driving Range and to Peter Gorey of the Irish Blind Golf Society who were there to coach and assist. Plans are already taking place for a repeat evening in January and possibly more regular similar events. Please let the IBS office know if you are interested

Fri 18 November 11

Pre Christmas Have A Go Golf

Tuesday 6th December Leopardstown Golf Range

Get into the swing with a pre-Christmas session: – an evening to give golf a go: Tuesday 6th December in the Driving range of Leopardstown with a PGA golf Pro John Langan – COST €5 (members)

Golf is a great activity for young and old – see the IBS video on Blind Golf Click Here for IBS GOLF VIDEO
ew.

John is also willing to conduct continued regular golf instruction after Christmas – more about that on the evening. Paul, Peter and others from the Irish Blind Golf society are the driving force behind this initiative and will be around to give support and assistance.

Directions: Entrance to the Golf Driving Range is from Foxrock Village: – beside junction with McCabes@ the Gables Restaurant. Public transport: buses that serve Stillorgan or Leopardstown Road and access from Westminster or Torquay road. Sandyford Luas stop is an option but there is NO access to the park from that side so walk along Leopardstown road to the Torquay Road. Please let Pam at the office know if you hope to attend: To email Pam click here… or phone Pam at
0858500193.

Mon 24 October 11

O'Rahilly and Dinsdale Tops in Italian Golf Open

Italian Open, Milan, 5/6 October 2011

The second Italian Blind Golf Open took place in Castillo di Tolcinasco Golf Club, Milan on October 5th and 6th. This event is organised by the Federazione Golf Disabli Italiana, and is supported by the International Blind Golf Association. Twenty players from ten countries played in this years event. Playing conditions were perfect on both days. Warm temperatures and a light breeze facilitated low scoring. After the first days play, Paul O’Rahilly from Ireland, led the field scoring 65 nett. Kurt Lirussi from Austria, formerly a P.G.A. qualified teaching professional and full international, now playing off 12 handicap was lying second with 67 nett.
Both players went head to head on the second day. O’Rahilly moved in front through the first seven. Lirussi fought back scoring a brilliant one under gross from eight through fifteen. Paul missed a tricky downhill birdie putt fromm nine feet on the 17th to get to within one. Kurt planted his drive on
18 to within 100 yards of the green to guarantee victory.
Paul had to settle for runner up. Jan Dinsdale from Northern Ireland won the ladies event. Willem Roode, also from Ireland finished fourth.
Mens Nett (Handicap): K. Lirussi, Austria (12) 132, P. O’Rahilly, Ireland
(30) 134, M. Elrick, England (23) 144, W. Roode, Ireland (25) 146, B.
McLeod,Canada (35) 148, R. Plaith, USA (13) 149, , A. Reid, Scotland (13) 158.
Ladies Jan Dinsdale, Northern Ireland beat Chiara Giacosa Italy.

Mon 24 October 11

Disabled Golfers Day Out, Gowran Park September 22nd

The Waterford Local Sports Partnership teamed up with IBGS to host this golf day in Gowran Park, Kilkenny. Eight players took part.
Everyone enjoyed the day and agreed to organise a similar event in the future. This is the first collaboration between the blind golfers and golfers of other disabilities. Ireland does not provide enough support for golfers with disabilities, Compared to other Europeancountries.
There is significant potential for the Irish Sports Council to drive change in this area through the Sports Inclusion Development Officers working within the Local Sports Partnership network.

Mon 19 September 11

Hurricane Katia Fails to Blow Away Christy O'Connor and Michael O’Muircheartaigh at the Celtic Golf Challenge

Colm Murray Reminds Us of Ballesteros and Langer

Report and results from the Celtic Challenge,
a golf match between the blind and visually impaired golfers of Ireland and Scotland; held at the The Royal Dublin Golf Club, September 12th and 13th, 2011. Report by Paul O’Rahilly.

Colm Murray, Honorary President of Irish Blind Sports sent a kind message of support to both teams. The welcome was read out in Colm’s absence at the Welcome Dinner on Sunday September 11th, by IBS board member Tony Lyster.

In his message, Colm welcomed both teams to The Royal Dublin links. He reminded everyone of the great history of that place, invoking memories of the great battle between Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer in the 1980s.

Next day, the blind and visually impaired golfers of Ireland and Scotland took on Hurricane Katia on the exposed links of The Royal Dublin Golf Club. The conditions were so windy that it was causing the ball to move on the greens. The first days play was truncated to fourteen holes. The Rules of Golf had to be waived by just a little to allow the matches to go ahead. The teams agreed to mark the ball on the green while putting and to replace the ball if it moved at address. This imaginative interpretation of the Rules of Golf was applied on several occasions.

The wind abated from severe gale force on Monday to storm force on Tuesday. This was a pleasant relief to the players and guides. Walking was still difficult but at least people were not being blown over!

The relentless weather did not in any way dampen the competitive spirit and determination of the golfers and their guides to play good golf shots. The feeling was that if everyone had come this far we were going to have a match.

David Kennedy representing the members of the golf club, speaking a the gala dinner, conveyed his admiration of this determination.

The players were delighted and honoured by the presence of “himself” who came out to watch the play on the notoriously difficult tenth hole on the first day. Christy amazed everyone by coming along on the second day as well. Indeed he was heard to say that if the blind golfers were able to go out in these conditions, he was going out too !

Broadcaster and sports commentator, Michael O’Muircheartaigh, was the guest speaker at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday evening. He enthralled everyone with stories of sport and its personalities. Michael also presented the cup to the winning captain, Ally Reid.

Results
Scotland won by 5 ½ to 3 ½
First Days Play
Monday Greensomes (Ireland first)
Willem Roode and Drew Cochrane lost to Ally Reid and Gerry Kelly 3 and 2.
Paul O’Rahilly and Michael Gardner halved with Allan Morgan and David Patterson
Peter Gorey and Tommy Reidy lost to Charlie Forbes and John Imrie 3 and 1.

Above photograph, courtessy of photographer John Kennedy, features Broadcaster and sports commentator, Michael O’Muircheartaigh presenting the Celtic Challenge Cup to Ally Reid (Scotland.

Wed 07 September 11

Scot Golf

Carluke Golf Club members have challenged the SDGP to a Cup game on Thursday
15 September. This is
a great value match for members at only £12 per person, for 18 holes of golf, roll/coffee on arrival and a meal after the golf. The event is also part of the SDGP’s Order of Merit. The form is on the website and the contact details for the organiser are at the base of the letter.

The forms are also on the website for the Elmwood and Balbirnie competitions. These are also Challenge Cup games and part of the Order of Merit. Only 14 places are available for these games, so it is strictly first-come, first-served.

The 13 Team Scotland players and their coaches have been announced and they will travel to Slaley Hall in early October to play three days of traditional match play golf against the DGS English team. Thanks to some fantastic sponsorship Team Scotland are covered for their trip and we await news on team gear. This is a match which the SDGP has been attempting to generate for some number of years and thanks to the management of Slaley Hall we have finally made it!! We also have an SDGP sponsor for the “Auld Enemies Cup” which will be presented at Slaley.

The final SDGP match for 2011 will be at Tulliallan Golf Club in late October. Details as always will be posted on the website about a month before that date. A new trophy will be presented that day, along with the annual Order of Merit winners for the disabled members and coaching members. A Players and Coaches Championship will also take place that day.

Finally . . . . a gentle reminder to all 2010 trophy winners to clean and return all their trophies?

Sun 07 August 11

Golf: Latest from Scotland

We hope that everyone who participated in our busiest month yet, enjoyed their golf and the weather!

11 days of golf were organised for July, teeing off with games at
Bonnyton, Balmoral and our big two for this year, with 3 competition
rounds at Dullatur for the Scottish and 4 days for the World Team Cup. The month closed with another 2 day training day and 2 comp rounds at Cluny and St Michaels.
Congratulations to all the winners. Full reports, scores and lots of pictures are on the website.

Thanks also go to our many sponsors who generously supported those
events. There are far too many to mention here, but as an example, the sponsorship was enough to cover 99% of the overall costs.
Entry fees covered the remaining 1%.

Another winner was Sense Scotland which, through the Balmoral, Cluny
and St Michaels events, generated over £4000 for their continuing work
>with disabled children. Thank you to everyone who supported those events.

August is a little quieter for golf with 2 games organised at Dalmahoy
in Edinburgh and the Kittocks in St Andrews. Dalmahoy is already fully
subscribed and the Kittocks is filling rapidly, with only around 6 places left.

Information on the September comps, in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife will
be circulated in the next few weeks.

The players and coaches have now been selected for Team Scotland to play at Slaley Hall in October.
The Scotland v England Ryder Cup match will take place over 3 rounds of
traditional match play, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 October. Team
Scotland will consist of 18 SDGP members, 13 players and 5 coaches and
will play a foursome, fourball and singles format, for the Auld Enemies Cup. Many thanks to the team sponsors who have made it all possible.

October’s competition dates have been slightly altered, so keep an eye on the website.
>
>SDGP

Tue 02 August 11

Golf: Congratulations Adrian - An Amazing Performance

Results from Scottish Disabled Golfers Partnership Events Scottish Championship and World Team Event, July 10th -18th 2011

Adrian Canny reprented Irish Blind Golf at the Scottish Disabled Golfers Partnership,Scottish Championship and World Team Event, July 10th -18th

The Scottish Championship took place at Dullator G.C. The field was made up fromgolfers of varying disabilities, mainly from the U.K.
There were 35 golfers in total. The Scottish Championship is an annual
54 hole stableford event. Adrian played well over the first two days.
He scored 69 points, and was lying joint second at the beginning of the third round. However, he struggled to hold form and finished in sixth place at the end of the tournament with a total of 100 points.
This is an outstanding performance by the 21 year old Dubliner, in such an experienced field.
When asked about the value of the event, he stated simplay that “it was a good insight into how everyone plays and how everyone gets on”.

The second event in the series was a Ryder Cup style event, which took place at the Westerwood G.C., over four days. There were four teams England, Scotland, Celtic and Rest of The World. Our Adrian was selected to play on the ROW team. Over the four rounds, the players returned scors in the following formats: greensomes, scramble foursomes, and singles. At the end of this gruelling test of golf, the England team came out on top. Unfortunately the ROW team finished fourth. However Adrians contribution was notable, scoring five points out of a possible six.

For further details check out the IBGS website Click here or contact the Secretary, by email at Click Email

- Paul O’Rahilly.

Tue 26 July 11

British Blind Golf Open Results

Templepatrick G.C., June 28th / 29th 2011 - Report by Paul O'Rahilly

The British Blind Golf Open has been organised in Northern Ireland on eight occasions, since its inception. This 36 hole annual strokeplay competition, rotates between locations in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Templepatrick golf club, situated in the grounds of the Hilton Hotel and close to Belfast, provided an excellent golfing challenge at a welcoming and hospitable venue.

Forty two players from ten countries took part in this years event. Three golfers from I.B.G.S. were present. Willen Roode was the leading Irishman, with a nett score of 163 over the two days. Jimmy Murray was a little further down the field with a score of 211 nett. Unfortunately Paul O’Rahilly failed to make the cut,. However he finished in second place on the next day in the 18 hole stableford competition with 33 points.

John Eakin (England)was the overall winner of the mens competition. Northern Ireland’s Jan Dinsdale won the ladies category in fine style over current world ladies champion Chiara Giacosa (Italy).

Irish Blind Sports has played an important role supporting I.B.G.S golfers prepare and participate in major blind golf competitions for the last three years. In each of these years one of our players has returned from the British Blind Open with distinction. Jimmy Murray and Paul O’Rahilly have each finished second in the stableford competition in 2009 and now 2011. Last year Wally Roode was overall joint runner up.

The photo above (L to R): David McVeigh (guide for Jan dinsdale), Jan Dinsdale (ladies winner), John Eakin (mens winner), Len Davis (tournament organiser)

For further details check out the IBGS website Click here or contact the Secretary, by email at Click Email

Thu 21 July 11

7 competition rounds in 8 rain-free days

Golf News from Scotland

So that’s the conclusion of our 54-hole Scottish Championship and 72-hole World Cup and boy were we lucky with the weather!!! Seven competition rounds of golf in eight days .
. . . never been done
like that before at any other disabled golf event . . . . and hardly a drop of rain during the golf, that’s certainly a new experience too?

All the scores from the 7 competition days are up on the website and dozens of pictures. There are also some of the “Good Luck” messages from our supporters and a mention for some of the sponsors associated with the week long event at Dullatur and Westerwood Golf Clubs.

Congratulations to Alisdair Berry and Colin Brock, the new Scottish gross and net Champs and to Team England the inaugural World Team Cup winners! As Champions, Tony Lloyd and Team England get to host the next event.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many coaches and volunteers who helped out during the event, several of whom travelled in daily to guide and help out with our international players. Your help and commitment to the SDGP and our disabled members and colleagues is very much appreciated.

Just prior to Dullatur and Westerwood the SDGP played at the exclusive Balmoral Estates Golf Club.
This “once in a lifetime” experience was fantastic. How can you beat a day’s golf, with the back drop of Balmoral Castle, teaming with wildlife, in the Scottish mountains and in good company!!
Even the brief appearance of a thunderstorm didn’t spoil the day; we just sheltered and shared out the hip flasks. Again full scores, pictures and reports are on the website.
Many thanks to the
supporters and sponsors for the day, which included many Scottish Golf Clubs and businesses. Funds raised for Sense Scotland were in the region of £2500. Thank you.

Next we are off to Cluny and St Michaels on the 28 and 29 July. Anyone wishing to join us for 2 rounds of golf, a golf lesson, catering and overnight accommodation, will pay only £60!!

August includes events at Dalmahoy in Edinburgh and the Kittocks in St Andrews. Full details on the website shortly.

Mon 04 July 11

Results from Powerscourt, June 23rd 2011

Report by Paul O'Rahilly, Secretary, Irish Blind Golf Society

Powerscourt is a popular venue for our members. Set in the beautiful location of the Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Dublin, the rolling landscape offers a stiff golfing challenge to all players. Peter Gorey has always performed well here, whether we play the East or West course. This year was no exception as he put together a solid score of 17 points, dominating the field.

Our thanks as ever is extended to Bernard Gibbons, manager of Powerscourt G.C. and a long term friend of the society. We were delighted that John Foley, guide to Ian Corr and Jimmy Murry was back in action following a recent illness.

Results: P. Gorey (16) 17 points, J. Murray (45) 12 points, P. O’Rahilly (30) 11 points, I. Corr (45) 5 points, J. Lonergan (45) 0 points.

For further details check out the IBGS website Click here or contact the Secretary, by email at Click Email

Group photo from Picture Gallery on official Irish Blind Golf Society website, see above.

Thu 09 June 11

Hollywood Lakes Results

Report by Paul O'Rahilly, Secretary, Irish Blind Golf Society

Results from Hollywood lakes G.C. May 30th, 2011.

Open Day with Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association (N.I.B.G.A.)

This event was organised to co-incide with the U.K. May Bank Holiday weekend. As a result, there was an excellent turnout with twenty golfers taking part. Six teams were drawn from this number, to play a “scramble”. In this format, all players hit and the best shot counts. As a result, final scores were low and quite flattering.

The conditions were windy. The course was playing long and the greens were lightning fast. Nonetheless there was high praise for the condition of the course and the clubhouse.

This event would not have been possible without the support of Wally Roode, IBGS member who is also a member of Hollywood Lakes. Wally entertained our guests and sponsored the prizes for the day.

Even though it was a long day, most people hung around for a chat at the 19th hole. Much of the discussion centered around the upcoming British Blind Golf Open, being organised this year by the N.I.B.G.A. committee. Another hot issue at this time of year is team selection for the Ireland v. Scotland Celtic Cup match being held in September at the Royal Dublin G.C.

Hollywood lakes is indeed an excellent platform for in form players to set out their stall for the upcoming season. It was agreed to hold similar events in future, involving golfers from North and South.

Results: 64 nett (M. Gardner, S. Gardner, J. O’Reilly, P. O’Rahilly), 65 nett (J. Dinsdale, D. McVeigh, F. Sealy, J. Murray)

For further details check out the IBGS website www.irishblindgolf.ie or contact the Secretary, by email at irishblindgolf@gmail.com

Tue 31 May 11

Latest Events Schedule

Irish Blind Golf

Competitions coming up – In order to take part players must be a member of the Irish Blind Golf Society.

Local:
June 23rd 9.30ame – Powerscourt East G.C. (9 holes)
July 15th 11am Corrstown G.C.
August Westmanstown G.C
September 15th 10am Gowran Park G.C
October The Hermitage G.C

International: to support
June 26 – 29, British Open – Belfast
August 14-17th Canadian Open Nova Scotia
August,21–24th U.S. Open Athlanta Georgia
August 30th-31st Japan Open Cancelled
Sept 12/13th Celtic Cup Ireland v Scotland Dublin
Sept, 15/16th New South Wales Open Australia
October 3-6th Italian Open Milan Italy
November 8th Western Australia Open
November 9/10th Australia Open

For further information contact Paul O’Rahilly at www.irishblindgolf.ie and email irishblindgolf@gmail.com. Direct links are available by
clicking on email
or on their website by clicking here

Tue 03 May 11

News from SDGP

The following items were received from the SDGP and may be of interest to the visually impaired golfers out there.

The SDGP now has a growing number of members from overseas, who have taken up our special membership offer.
May will see SDGP games at Pumpherston and Alloa. We await confirmation of a third game in Edinburgh.
Events in June will include games at Niddry Castle and Cochrane Castle.
July will be an extremely busy month, with the day at Balmoral, the 3-day Scottish Championship at Dullatur and the 4-day World Team Cup at Westerwood. We are also looking to arrange a 2-day golf event at the end of that month.
We still have a few slots available for the World Team Cup event in July, where for only £140, disabled players can have 4 rounds of golf, hotel accommodation, breakfast and evening meals and a golf cart!
A Scotland v England match is arranged for October. Anyone interested in the Auld Enemies Clash, which is a 3-day Ryder Cup event at Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
Facebook users can catch up with golf stuff at our pages, just search for “SDGP”, or click on the link at www.sdgp.co.uk

Wed 27 April 11

Results from Elm Green

April 14th.

Adrian Canny set a new society record, scoring 77 gross over the North Dublin course. He turned in 41 shots, before finding excellent form over the closing nine, which he covered in just one over par. This included one birdie on the short 15th. Adrian is preparing to play in the 2011 World Cup event in Scotland in july. This is a Ryder Cup style event for golfers of multiple disabilities, organised by the Scottish Disabled Golfers Partnership (S.D.G.P.). Adrian will play for the Rest of the World team.
Stableford Scores (Handicap): A. Canny 44 points (15), P. O’Rahilly 44 points (31), P. Gorey 29 points (15), J. Murray 23 points (45).

The irish Blind Golf Society website went live on Feb 25th. It provides information about training, development and playing opportunities for visually impaired and blind golfers in Ireland. There is a link to the 2011 calender of events for domestic and international competitions. An entertaining photo gallery is on show. On foot of this, we are delighted to announce that Christy O’Connor Jnr has agreed to become a patron of the society.

Venue agreed for 2011 Celtic Cup
The Royal Dublin Golf Club will host the annual Ireland v. Scotland golf match. This years event will take place on September 12th and 13th. The match will consist of Fourballs on the first day, and singles on the second. The Royal Dublin Golf Club will also host a gala dinner on the evening of September 13th. This year marks the 20th anniversary of I.B.G.S., which will also be celebrated in September.

For further details, check our website or contact IBGS Secretary, Paul O’Rahilly