Juvenile Captain Julie Rossiter got the drive-in proceedings under way when she bisected the fairway on the first hole with a full-blooded drive. This shot was executed with no trace of nerves in front of a large and appreciative audience and was a credit to the young player.

Next up to the tee box was the lady Captain, Therese Glasheen. A good swing, solid impact and satisfactory follow through saw the ball sail gracefully up the fairway.

The group retreated to the back tees and Junior Captain Martin McLoughlin took his stance. One glance at the ball and he nonchalently struck it well beyond the 150m marker to rousing applause.

Finally, it was the turn of the Captain, Nicky Murphy, who had been worrying like a terrier all afternoon. The balcony of the clubhouse was crowded and there was no shortage of advice to the southpaw swinger.

He paid homage to the start of National Tree Week by avoiding the timber at both sides of the fairway. He took his stance, adjusted his grip and sent a magnificent drive straight and true down the fairway.

The relief on the face of the Captain was palpable and he graciously accepted the congratulations of the congregation. The golf season in Wexford has officially started.

Tuesday, March 2, singles stableford Seniors open (played over 14 holes): Aiden Cogley (20) was the winner of this outing with 35 points. He won it from Joe Hall (20), also on 35 points, but Aiden scored four points on the 12th hole to win on a countback.

Wednesday, March 3, invitational singles stableford (played over 14 holes): John B. O'Connor (16) once more appeared in the frame with 31 points which included five holes where he collected three points. This was enough to give him a onepoint victory over Pádraig Gannon (23) on 30 points, who had a birdie in the opening half. In third place was Andy Lehane (15) with 29 points which included four points at the index one hole.

Friday, March 5, Spring Alliance: 1, Tom Hogan (12, Enniscorthy), 34 points (back nine); 2, Pat Murphy (11), 34 points (back nine); 3, Dermot Kelly (6, Rosslare), 34 points; team prize, Darren Walsh, Darragh Bates, Nico Spithas and Marty Walsh.

The fourball competition on Saturday, March 6 (played over 14 holes) was won by John Ffrench (18) and Nicholas Spithas (5) with 32 points (won on the back seven). Ray Heffernan (14) and Leo Connolly (2) had the exact same score of 32 points, but their four-point hole was in the first half. 'It's not how you start but how you finish.'

Sunday, March 7, four-person team event (played over 14 holes): this was a highly-competitive outing with no quarter given or asked for. A solitary point separated the top two teams and a countback split second from third.

Results: 1, George Roche (16), Brendan Scallan (14), Noel Gordon (18),Pat Harnett (13), 67 points; 2, Pat 'Mags' Murphy (11), Phil Moran (9), Seán Healy (13), John Hammond (14), 66 points (back seven).

Four-person team event for the committee (played over 14 holes). The winning team carried some late replacements who were decisive at vital holes.

Results: 1, Sally O'Neill (25), Kitty Roche (24), Derek Casey (16), Eamonn Hopkins (14), 69 points; 2, Yvonne McSweeney (12), Wendy Tiernan (25), Patrick Doyle (13), Maurice Delaney (8), 64 points.

Fixtures - Friday, March 12: threeperson Open team competition over 14 holes, Visitors, ¤15. Members, ¤5.

Friday, March 12: table quiz in the bar, 8.30 p.m. Table of four ¤30. Student table ¤20.

St. Patrick's Day, March 17, fourperson team event (any combination), ¤30 per team. This is a fundraiser for the Junior girls. Music in the bar from 3.30 p.m.