ST. HELEN'S: Bossy Breda's qualified for the Winter League semi-final on Saturday, February 27, in which they will play the winners of the play-off on Saturday next between Helena's Howlers, Parkinson's Preachers and Levin's Leaders.

Meanwhile, Furlong's Furies qualified for the semi-final on Saturday, February 27, in which they will play the winners of the play-off on Saturday next between Lynch's Lurchers, Noonan's Soldiers and Bernie's Bruisers.

Well done to the eight teams who qualified to go forward to the play-offs or semi-finals. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the eight rounds and persevered despite the challenging weather during the past few months. There is a singles stableford on Saturday next, entry to which is complimentary for players whose team did not qualify for the play-offs or semi-final. A very special thanks go to the Winter League organising team.

Wednesday Club, February 10, singles stableford (eleven holes): 1, Pádraig Tiernan, 31 points (includes seven bonus points); 2, Paddy Kearns, 29 (includes five bonus points); 3, Shay Thornton, 29 (includes seven bonus points); 4, Tony Naughton, 29 (includes nine bonus points).

The largest turn-out of the season so far enjoyed excellent weather and course conditions which is reflected in the high scoring. The Wednesday club is open to all St. Helen's Bay Golf Club members, so come along at 10 a.m. each Wednesday for the draw. New players are most welcome.

Saturday, February 13, singles sweep stableford (eleven holes): 1, Mark Corish, 26 points (countback); 2, Bernard Cahill, 26 points.

Seventy players enjoyed a lovely day's golf. Congratulations to Mark and Bernard.

Sunday, February 14, singles sweep stableford (eleven holes): 1, Fran Anderson, 26 points (countback); 2, Pat O'Brien, 26 points; gross, John Holt, 20 points.

Forty players ventured out on Valentine's Day in lovely weather conditions. Well done to Fran, Pat and John.

Fixtures: Wednesday, February 17, Wednesday Club, meet at the clubhouse at 10 a.m.; Friday, February 19, Friday wine competition; Saturday, February 20, Winter League play-off (singles stableford competition for non-qualifiers); Sunday, Febuary 21, singles stableford.

See the club website - www.sthelensbay.ie - for further details.

ROSSLARE LADIES

Saturday fourball, 14-hole competition, February 6 (ten pairs played): 1, Catherine Howard (19/11) and Doreen McGovern (20/12), 31 points; 2, Irene Walker (18/11) and Cathy Atkinson (18/11), 28 points.

Single stableford 14-hole competition, February

9 (34 played): 1, Pat Byrne (31), 25 points; 2, Bernie Riordan (33), 23 points; 3, Gerarde Mahon (18), 22 points (back seven); 4, Liz Murphy (18), 22 points.

NEW ROSS

Winter league round three: 1, Andrew Ryan (5), 32 points; 2, Ger Whittle (12), 30 points; 3, Robert O'Dwyer (19), 30 points; gross, Aidan Moore (2), 26 points; Class 1, Eamon Dungan (6), 27 points; Class 2, Tommy Ryan (13), 30 points; Class 3, Cyril Stafford (14), 30 points; Class 4, Reiner Opperman (18), 29 points.

COOLATTIN LADIES

Saturday, February 6, and Wednesday, February

10, 13-hole competition: 1, Pauline Walker (21), 26 points; 2, Ann Lynch (18), 23 points.

PAULINE'S SOCIETY

Pauline's Golf Society had their latest outing to Enniscorthy Golf Club on Saturday week last. Over 30 members tackled the course, and the day turned out to be one of the best weather-wise recently.

In his speech, Captain Tom Kielthy thanked Enniscorthy Golf Club P.R.O., Pat Jordan, for their superb hospitality.

There were some fine scores, and the player of the year leaderboard is starting to turn into a very tight battle between up to five players.

Results: overall winner, Melvyn Bridgewater, 40 points; Cat. 1 winner, John Shalloe, 37 points; Cat. 2 winner, Brendan Dunne, 37 points; Cat. 3 winner, Robert Ryan, 36 points; nearest pin 1, Michael Butler; nearest pin 2, Tommy Power; two-club: Joe Malone, Michael Katus, Michael O'Connor.

The next outing for Pauline's Golf Society is President's Day, for which the current holder of that position, Tommy Power, has chosen Seafield Golf Club, on March 13.

ROSSLARE ALLIANCE

A true links test awaited almost 60 brave competitors in the fourth of six Winter Alliance events on Monday of last week.

A cold north-east wind made the course play long, and the fast and true greens tested the competitors' nerve and touch.

Gross results: 1, Johnny Young (Rosslare), 36 points; 2, Glen Robinson (St. Helen's), 35 points; 3, Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), 33 points.

Nett results: 1, Anthony Corish (St. Helen's), 38 points; 2, John Dwyer (Callan), 37 points; 3, Michael Goggin (Wexford), 36 points.

Team: G. Lynch, J. Dwyer, S. Brett, S. Waltzer (all Callan), 45 points.

The final two dates for the Rosslare Alliance are Monday, March 1, and Monday, March 22. Phone 05391-32032 for timesheet and information.

BALLYMONEY

The benign weather conditions brought out our best attendance thus far this year for the v. par competition on Saturday last. The predicted early morning frost did not materialise and subsequently play got under way at 8 a.m.

Even with the perfect conditions, pars and birdies proved harder to come by than was anticipated, and so most participants struggled to stay close to par. Playing in one of the last groups out, Richard Mackey (17) held his nerve and finished 3 up to take first place.

Shane Fox (14) on 2 up was second, just nudging Gavin Doyle (12) into third place on countback after he also finished 2 up.

Sunday next sees a roll-up stableford competition and hopefully good weather and an even bigger turn-out. Incidentally, apologies to the Irish rugby team for my premature prediction of a victory in Paris; George Hook et al are safe in their punditry positions!

ST. HELEN'S LADIES

It was a great weekend for golf in St. Helen's Bay. Saturday was really lovely with beautiful spring weather, albeit a little chilly.

There was a great turn-out by all to take part in the final round of the winter league. In tandem with the winter league, a singles sweep was also run, with Leonie Furlong (16) playing some excellent golf to win on 26 points.

On Sunday, again Leonie was in flying form, never giving up on the challenge, and winning with 25 points. Leonie played lovely golf with two pars and one birdie during the course of the 12-hole singles sweep.

In second place came Martina Noonan (28) on 24 points. All players enjoyed playing on the front nine which is in great condition.

Twelve-hole sweep: 1, L. Furlong (16), 25; 2, M. Noonan (28), 24.

COURTOWN

Well, Valentine's weekend proved to be a success in Courtown Golf Club. We had in excess of 40 couples availing of the great offer on Saturday evening when our caterer, Maureen Savage, once again surpassed all expectations with a four-course meal for two and a bottle of wine at just ¤60.

Sunday afternoon again was busy, with members taking advantage of the fine menu on offer for lunch.

Meanwhile, out on the course the scores just keep coming in. Last weekend we had a gents' 14hole fourball, and some of the scores which were returned are simply amazing.

I was talking to two men in the clubhouse on Sunday evening who said that they had played really well and, with 33 points over 14 holes off three-quarters of their handicap, thought that this week surely their day in the sun had come.

Well, not so as the scores returned are getting better by the week. A lot of members who played over the weekend have paid tribute to the standard of the course and in particular the condition of the greens. The whole course is in fantastic condition.

Results: 1, Liam Cooper (6), Donal Wafer (15), 35 points; 2, Liam Redmond (12), Frank Byrne (18), 34 points; 3, Joe Kavanagh (19), Jim Conroy (19), 33 points (last six).

Just as a matter of interest, there were seven pairs with scores of 33 points in this competition.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Bank-sponsored Winter League continued over the weekend and will do so for the next two weekends.

At this stage it appears that the final day of the Winter League will be played on Sunday, March 21, but this will be confirmed at a later date.

COURTOWN LADIES

Two teams, Black and Red, will be anxious to notch up as many points as possible on Sunday next in order to claim a place in the Azure Winter League final. Both Laura Funge and Frances Swords will surely hope their teams will deliver good scores to reach the final.

The Yellow look poised to have reached the final already as they played consistently well throughout the league, accumulating 252 points. Nonetheless, they will disregard this on Sunday when they will wish to ensure their place in the final. Play begins at 2 p.m., and all eyes will be on the scoreboard come Sunday evening.

The Azure final will be held on Sunday, March 14, between the two top teams. All six members will contest on the day. This will give a keen edge to the final. All members are invited to take part in the final day fourball. There will be a draw for partner, opposition and time.

January 26, fourball 12-hole: 1, Mona Moynihan (17) and Ann Duggan (23), 23 points; 2, Frances Swords (24) and Celia O'Riordan (24), 22 points (countback).

February 2, three-person team: 1, Denise Burke (25), A.M. Furlong (28), Louise Hofler (33), 52 points; 2, Eileen Cullen (16), Kate Sheehan (18), Mary Kilbride (22), 50 points.

February 9, 12-hole stableford: 1, Eileen Moriarty (28), 29 points; 2, Veronica McCabe (31), 25 points; 3, Irene Poole (18), 22 points (countback).

ENNISCORTHY

The open Senior singles fell prey to the frost as the course remained closed on Thursday morning last and was not playable until the afternoon. The next Seniors open event at Enniscorthy will take place on Thursday, March 11, and is sponsored by David Garahy.

Though frost again caused the closure of the course early Sunday morning, there was nevertheless a large entry to the weekend gents' singles competition.

Scoring over the 14-hole competition was high, and Colin Garry (12) secured first place with 34 points, followed by Brian O'Connor (14) with 33 points. With a countback on the last six holes, Michael Cash (19) with 32 points took third place.

Next week's competition is a 14-hole aggregate fourball event.

NEW ROSS SENIORS

There was a big turn-out on Thursday last for the weekly competition. Fifteen teams took to the fairways in perfect conditions once the early morning frost had disappeared.

However, high scores were at a premium and only the winning team broke the 90 points target. Perhaps it was the pristine greens which found out many as they were like lightning, especially if one happened to be above the hole. Many a three putt was recorded, even from reasonably short distances, and there were several tales of woe about such happenings in the clubhouse afterwards.

John Kennedy (15), Michael Long (19), Mick Wade (20) and Ollie Brennan (23) were victors with a fine score of 91 points. In second place on 85 points were John Watson (15), Michael Brennan (18), Pat Ryan (18) and George Peters (21).

The third place prize went to Dick Cuddihy (11), Noel Anderson (17), Dick Cahill (20) and Jamesie Murphy (21) whose 83 was good enough to claim the balls. Nearest the pin prize went to Aidan O'Connor on the eleventh hole.

All members are once again reminded that the draw is at 10.45 a.m. sharp and latecomers, if they are held up for some reason (don't make a habit of it), should phone in and they will be accommodated in the draw.

ROSSLARE

On Sunday last the second round of the Winter League took place.

Following the singles two weeks ago, Sunday's format was a fourball.

Going into the final phase, only three points separate the top three teams. Leading the way is the team of Paud O'Brien, Paddy Murray, Ken Maher, Danny Leacy, Robert Rowe and Kevin Driver on 162 points, one ahead of Valerie Doyle, Paul Boggan, Sonny Lynch, Tom McGrath, John Kelly and Eleanor O'Connor, with Liam Duggan, Eddie Fortune, Robert Quilty, Dixie Devereux, Killian Kelly and Betty O'Brien a shot further back.

The final day, Sunday, February 28, is a scramble. The draw has been made and can be seen on the Rosslare G.C. website.

Saturday fourball: 1, Pat Doolan (20) and Michael Dockrell (22), 36 points; 2, Nicky Mernagh (5) and Ken Noonan (13), 34 points; 3, Billy Davis (4) and Tony Ennis (15), 34 points.

Today (Wednesday) there is an open ladies' and singles (visitors ¤25), and on Thursday, February 25, there is an open Seniors (over-50). Ladies' and gents' visitors, ¤25.