Summary of 2020 Season
 
10 February 2020
Following on from a few busy weeks organising and planning by our fixture planners Brendan McGowan & Pauric Murphy, the Melvin Society Schedule is now set out for the year ahead with some challenging new courses added to the tour for 2020.

Welcome to the society for 2020 to new members Declan Madden, John Armstrong & Jessie McGuinness and returning members Vincent McGowan & Aidan McAleer.

The incoming committee for 2020 is as follows:
Chairman:         Billy Gavigan
Secretary:         James Keenan
Treasurer:          Alan Kenny
Captain:             James Keenan
President:          Michael Condron
Bookmaker:       Dave Ronayne
Handicapper:     Eugene McMorrow 

​I will try and keep the website updated on regular basis, so check in every now and then to keep up to speed with whats happening. Happy golfing for 2020!
 
22 February 2020
The season got off to a wild and windy start at Donegal Golf Club, Murvagh where 17 hardy souls braved 30mph winds, gusting up to 45mph and some severe hail showers to get the 2020 season up an running. There were some very good scores for the leaders under the conditions with 3 of the last 5 Golfers of the Year (Dave Ronayne 2016, Aiden McGurran 2018 & Alan Kenny 2015) getting in the points along with Paul McGurrin, who after his rookie season 2019 has points on the board early on this year.

The outing full result was:
1st:   Dave Ronayne     27 points
2nd: Paul McGurrin      26 points (BOT)
3rd: Aidan McGurran   26 points (BOT) 
4th: Alan Kenny            26 points

Our next outing will take place at Rosses Point on 14 March with first tee-off at 12.20pm.

14 March 2020
The second outing of the season went ahead in Rosses Point despite a myriad of sporting events falling foul to Covid-19. Seventeen players were in attendance and a great day out was enjoyed with the course in fine shape and baring it's teeth as the elements picked up later in the afternoon. Welcome to Jesse who played, and hopefully enjoyed, his first outing with the society. Some great golf played and well done to the winners!

The outing full result was:
1st:   Vincent McGowan
2nd: Aiden McGurran
3rd: Alan Kenny
4th: Des McGowan

Our next outing will take place at Tubbercurry on 25 April with first tee-off at 11.00pm.

In the meantime follow the advice of the professionals: wash hands regularly, practice social distancing and avoid touching you eyes, mouth and nose to help slow the spread of the virus. Outside on the golf course is one of the safest places to be!

20 June 2020
After three months with no golf or social golf, competitive golf made it's return to Melvin Society with our Senior & Junior Day outing in Bundoran. There was no rustiness evident due to the lack of competition and everyone looked glad to be back. Some great golf played in the conditions and well done to the winners!

Senior Day 2020 result was:
1st:   Billy Gavigan
2nd: Christy Barry

Junior Day 2020 result was:
1st: Alan Kenny
2nd: Mason Collins

James Keenan's Captains Day will take place at Bundoran on 4 July with first tee-off at 10.44pm.

4 July 2020
We flattened the Covid-19 curve, the weather brightened up and the bars opened just in time for James Keenan's Captain's Day. Twenty-eight golfers played in perfect conditions and some fantastic scores were posted, making for a great day out. Well done to Shane Sills hard work paid off as he shot a personal best to win the competition with an outstanding score of 60! 

The 'Yella Ball' team competition added some entertainment (and pressure) and heated discussion with some less than impressed 'The Yella Fella'. Pauric Murphy (15 points) and Allan Kenny (14 points) fared best and mastered yellow ball for their five holes.

There were some very happy looking golfers when they received their first pint of amber nectar in over 12 weeks from the bar staff Pat & Anna, who kept the drink flowing for the afternoon. Special thanks to Beatriz, Mischa & Maria for helping organise the day and Billy, Eugene and David Robinson for their help.

Captain's Day 2020 full result was:
1st:   Shane Sills
2nd: Aiden McGurran
3rd: Pauric Murphy
4th: Dave Ronayne
5th: Mason Collins
Honorable Mention: Christy Barry
Closest the Pin (6th): Alan Kenny
Closest the Pin (16th): Brian MacCarthaigh
'Yella Ball Team': Dave Ronayne, Aidan McAleer, Brian MacCarthaigh & Shane Sills.

Our next outing will take place at Bundoran on 18 July with first tee-off at 12.00pm.

Following a brief meeting after the presentation it was decided by those present that Covid-19 would not keep the name of the Golfer of the Year 2020 off the trophy!
 
18 July 2020
The first post-lockdown outing for Golfer of the Year points seen the current and outgoing chairmen battle it out for top points. Outgoing chairman Pauric Murphy rolled back the years to pip current sitting chairman Billy Gavigan for the win. 2020 President Michael Condron picked up 3rd spot on his first outing of the year with Aidan McAleer performing well in 4th place. Welcome back to Aidan Loughlin who also joined us for his first outing of the year.

Special congratulations to Paul McGurrin & Celine on the birth of their twin son's. Paul might find it more difficult to get out for a round now but hopefully we'll still see him on a few outings!

The full result was:
1st:   Pauric Murphy
2nd: Billy Gavigan
3rd: Michael Condron
4th: Aidan McAleer

Our next outing will take place at Bundoran on Bank Holiday Monday 3 August with first tee-off at 11.00am.

3 August 2020
After some confusion about the format for the outing Billy Gavigan and Eugene McMorrow fought it out in the first fourball with Billy just coming out on top from Eugene with a couple of missed short putts proving the difference. Vincent McGowan and Aidan McGurran made up a familiar winners enclosure by making up the placings on a fine day in Bundoran.

The Golfer of the Year competition is heating up nicely at the halfway point with Billy Gavigan out in front with Aidan McGurran and Vincent McGowan two points further back in second place.

The full result was:
1st:   Billy Gavigan
2nd: Eugene McMorrow
3rd: Vincent McGowan
4th: Aidan McGurran

Our next outing will take place at Ballybofey on Saturday 15 August with first tee-off at 11.00am.
 
15 August 2020
Following a number of outings in Bundoran the Society were out on the road again for the first time since March for an trip through The Gap to Ballybofey. The course was in great shape and presented well for some challenging golf in the sunshine. Pauric Murphy rolled back the years again to take the win from an unfortunate Declan Madden who shot a great score. Fergal McGowan was back in third with Eugene McMorrow again in the winners enclosure.

The Golfer of the Year competition tightened up at the top again. With only three outings left four players are joint leaders on 22 points. Billy Gavigan, Aidan McGurran, Vincent McGowan and Pauric Murphy will be keeping a close eye on each other in Blacklion but will also need to keep an eye on a challenger coming out of the pack with a wet sail!

The full result was:
1st:   Pauric Murphy
2nd: Declan Madden
3rd: Fergal McGowan
4th: Eugene McMorrow

Our next outing will take place at Blacklion on 29 August with first tee-off at 11.00am.
 
29 August 2020
The latest outing of the tour took us for a short spin up the road to Blacklion. The conditions were good for a round of golf and despite some impressive reenactments from Sherwood Forest (with golf balls coming out of the trees instead of arrows), it was Dave Ronayne who avoided the trees best to take the spoils. Billy, Vincent and Aidan McGurran made up the places.  

Billy Gavigan opened up a small gap from Vincent McGowan in the Golfer of the Year standings. Dave Ronayne's win brings him back into the mix, while Aidan McGurran's place keeps him in the mix along with Pauric Murphy.

The full result was:
1st:   Dave Ronayne
2nd: Billy Gavigan
3rd: Vincent McGowan
4th: Aidan McGurren

Our next outing will take place at Tubbercurry on 26 September with first tee-off at 9.00am. Before that, our President Mick Condron will host his President's Day outing in Bundoran on Saturday 5 September with first tee-off at 12.00pm. Wishing you all the best Mick and we hope you enjoy your day.
 
5 September 2020
Our last away outing of the season took us to Tubbercurry. The news that Donegal went into Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions seen a number of player pull out at the eleventh hour. Still, a select group of players travelled and seen Bobby O'Shea return to form to take top prize. Declan Madden was again in the mix with Pauric Murphy and Vincent McGowan turning the srew at the top of the Golfer of the Year Leaderboard. 

The full result was:
1st:   Bobby O'Shea
2nd: Declan Madden
3rd: Pauric Murphy
4th: Vincent McGowan

Our final outing will take place in Bundoran on 3 October with first tee-off at 11.00am. It's sure to be an exciting finish with 2 bonus points up for grabs for the Top 4 in Bundoran. It's tight at the top, with Billy Gavigan (32), Vincent McGowan (30) and Pauric Murphy (30). Aiden McGurren, Dave Ronayne and Declan Madden can also take Golfer of the Year if they win and other results go their way. While Eugene McMorrow and Bobby O'Shea can draw level with the leaders mathematically and force a play-off.  Good luck to all contenders!

26 September 2020
There was a great turnout for a well organized days festivities for Mick Condron's President's Day. The weather wasn't kind to the golfer's but nobody passed much remarks and everyone enjoyed the day out. The presentation followed afterwards and everyone had a great days craic!  

Aiden McGurren came out victorious with a fantastic score in the difficult conditions. Aiden Loughlin, Dave Ronayne and Bobby O'Shea made up the places. A great spread of prizes were presented and many kind words said. Thank you for a very well organized and well hosted day Mick. 

The full result was:
1st:   Aiden McGurren
2nd: Aiden Loughlin
3rd: Dave Ronayne
4th: Bobby O'Shea
Closest to the Pin (6th): Anthony Magan
Closest to the Pin (13th): James Keenan

Our penultimate outing will take place at Tubbercurry on 26 September with first tee-off at 10.00am.

3 October 2020
The final outing of the year was played out in splendid sunshine on a fantastic afternoon for golfing. The leaders in the Golfer of the Year didn't disappoint and the final group fought out against each other in a nip and tuck contest that went to the very last green and even the top three could only be seperated by break of tie. Billy Gavigan with a better back nine just pipping Vincent McGowan and Pauric Murphy to take the Golfer of the Year title. Fergal McGowan won the outing on the day with a fantastic score playing some lovely golf, just beating Seamie Granaghan.

The full result was:
1st:   Fergal McGowan
2nd: Seamie Granaghan
3rd: Billy Gavigan
4th: Vincent McGowan

That brings the Melvin Society season to a dramatic close in what has been a dramatic year. Covid-19 might have slowed us down but in the end it didn't stop the society from playing out a memorable season. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you all for taking part in a society where it is always a pleasure to play. Take care, stay safe and make sure we are all back in February 2021 for the new season!