In 1969 Adare Manor club members, who lived in the Rathkeale area, presented the club with a plate to be played for annually. Fittingly in this the centenary of the Adare Manor club it was a Rathkeale man who won the trophy last week. The hard working Honorary Secretary, Frank Geary, posted a score of 39 points, in ideal conditions, to claim the first prize. Frank, who received the trophy from his father-in-law, Peter Donovan, another well known Rathkeale man, had his handicap reduced to nine in the process and more cuts are forecast judging by the way Geary is playing at the moment.
Brian Murray, with a score of 42 points won the Kenneally trophy and also received one of the specially commissioned medals to mark the centenary of Adare Manor.
As part of the ongoing centenary celebrations the West Essex Golf Club from England, who are also celebrating their centenary, were guests at the club over the weekend. They played a mixed match on Friday night and competed for the centenary trophy on Saturday.
Adare Manor was founded in 1900 by Lord Dunraven in his manor home and this year the present Lord Dunraven, who is also president of the club, will host a midsummer ball at the manor hall in June. Tickets are on sale at 061-396284.