15/06/2026
The Curamach Strings 2026 Competition is complete.
Sixty pairings (120 players) took part over the weekend and playing conditions varied considerably. Friday's players had to contend with strong winds and scoring was tough. Saturday was better, but still quite breezy. By far the best conditions were on Sunday, with only a slight breeze and beautiful sunshine.
The course was in fantastic condition. Fairways were lush, the semi-rough was a challenge, and the greens were running true and fast. Congratulations and thanks once again to all the course staff for your work.
Overall, scoring this year was a couple of shots more difficult on average than last year. Remember, the top 30 pairings receive OBN Series points.
When we started the OBN Series a few years ago, I knew nearly every name on the timesheet. Now, thanks to the fantastic growth in membership, there are so many of you that I don't know. It's becoming a real challenge when writing these reports, to say the least.
In first place, with a fantastic score of 47 points and finishing three clear of the field, were Tom McGuinness and Hugh Gralton.
Hugh is no stranger to winning big in the OBN Series, having been overall champion in 2024, but Tom, up until now, has shown very little form. They're an odd couple really: one is a regimented man with a purposeful stride who hits the ball a mile. The other is Tom McGuinness.
Fair play lads, well done. That's a great score.
In second place were two relatively new members of the club (I think), Ryan Fanning and Logan Gutal, with an excellent 44 points.
I don't know much about their round, but when I was standing on the 15th tee I watched Logan hole a 25-foot putt across the 5th green, which was seriously impressive.
I don't know Ryan at all, except that he has a pet hamster at home called Seamus.
Third, fourth and fifth all scored 43 points and were separated by countback.
In third place were Conor Beirne and Evan Beirne. I played with them recently and assumed they were brothers, but they're not related. In fact, I'm not even sure they like each other. I think it's just that nobody else will play with either of them, so they're stuck together.
Fourth place went to Paul O'Brien and Adam O'Brien. We won't be saying much about this pairing other than it was the junior member who played all the golf.
Rounding out the prizes in fifth place were Dermot Conlon and Kevin Conlon. These two may be related (I think they're brothers).
Dermot is home from his winter residence in the Hamptons to slum it with the rest of us here in Carrick. Kevin was visiting and managed to bag some visitor points to boot.
Some of the teams who picked up OBN Series points:
In 10th place, Paul Reid and Gordon Kavanagh scored 41 points. They also set the club record for the shortest combined height of a golfing pair (male or female) at a staggering 8 feet 11 inches.
Congratulations lads.
In 14th place, also with 41 points, were Keith Tighe and Damien Quigley. These two have been spending more time together than with their wives over the past few weeks. (just saying)
In 16th place, Austin McDermott and Tommy Joe McDermott scored 40 points. Tommy Joe had only had a handicap for about an hour at that stage and he's already carrying one of the 2.0's on his back.
In 21st place were the Bionic Men, Andy Connellan (new hip) and Pat King (new knee), with 39 points.
It's amazing how far modern medicine has come. A few years ago, both men would have been considered too old for such procedures. Now look at them.
In 26th place were Gerry Emmett and Lochlainn Conboy, also with 39 points.
I don't know Lochlainn and I've never met him, but I already feel sorry for him.
The final pairing to pick up OBN Series points were Colm Griffin and Colin Slevin in 30th position with 38 points.
By their own admission, both men played desperate golf, so I believe they're delighted to have picked up any points at all.
Some of the also-rans:
Ivan Keaney and Niall Hanrahan just missed out on OBN Series points on countback with 38 points.
Niall started golf about three years ago and, as far as I can tell, he's been giving it up for about two years and eleven months.
Jimmy Egan and Liam Bruen finished in 36th place with 37 points.
These two are the perfect combination for a fourball. One never shuts up and the other never opens his mouth.
Marc McDermott and Noel McDermott finished back in 40th.
I was told that The Don recently got a brand new driver but refused to allow them put a senior shaft into it. Apparently, the lads bought the shaft anyway and have it hidden in the garage at home for when he finally admits he needs it.
Oliver Curran and Michael Masterson were back in 51st place with 31 points.
I was surprised to see this partnership survive recent reports that Ollie cheated on Michael with a Turkish barber on Bridge Street.
Thankfully, it appears they've worked through their issues.
I don't know who set up the course, but it clearly didn't suit our new Director of Golf, Barry Ryan, who along with John Coffee finished back in 53rd place with 29 points.
Coffee would have scored more points on his own playing 18 holes of foursomes.
That's the first report of the 2026 OBN Series qualifiers.
There are so many new names on the scoresheet now, which is fantastic, but it's going to take me a little time to gather some dirt on all of ye.
Leave it with me.
