Old County Pitch & Putt Club

This evening the Club Matchplay finals took place in O’Toole Park.  There was a decent crowd in attendance on a rare dull evening in July.  I have no doubt the players appreciated your attendance and it adds to what is always a great occasion.

Gents Senior: Tom O'Reilly vs Karl Murphy

Neither player needs an introduction, a potentially epic final about to greet us! Karl was defending Champion, Tom was no stranger to the trophy, it would only be a joy to watch.  Both players made plenty of birdies, close tee shots and excellent putts were held. After 18, Tom was 2 holes up.  Karl has played the 2^nd 18 well this week and closed the gap but when Tom is ahead, he is tough to get level with.  The 13^th was probably a crucial hole in the match with Karl making 4 in both rounds.  Tom is relentless and when the finish line is in sight, he doesn’t waddle over, he flies over!  Tom managed to defend Karl’s fightback and claim back the matchplay trophy at the 35th hole.  A fantastic matchpaly/strokeplay double achieved by Tom something he also did in 2014.

Gents Inter: Brendan Harte vs Conor O'Shea

This looked a cracking game on paper.  A new addition to the club this year, Brendan Harte, a former Dublin Strokeplay Champion, against a very fast improving and talented Conor O’Shea.  Conor won last year’s Junior Matchplay and his game is improving all the time, he has played fantastic pitch and putt all week beating some our top inter players.  Brendan was a lot of peoples pick this week but Conor was not worried about that.  Conor’s all round game this week has been brilliant and he had a superb first 18 turning 7up. Brendan struggled to catch Conor in the second 18 and there was no sign of backup to assist his chase of Conor’s lead.  It was probably Conor’s first encounter with the 5-O but his game was too good and he clinched his first Inter Championship.

Gents Junior: Tony Byrne vs Kevin Keatinge

Tony Byrne was the form Junior player this week after his club strokeplay win but Kevin Keatinge has an excellent matchplay game and you wouldn’t back against him passing the post first.  The first 18 didn’t go well for Kevin, he was slow away from the tape with Tony front running and taking a 7up led after 18.  Kevin was on and off the bridle in the second 18 but Tony was on the snaff and won like an odds on shot should.  Tony was adding his name to this trophy yet again after his last win in 2014.

Ladies A: Vera Glennon vs Ann O'Shea

A similar final to the Ladies B in that Vera is the defending matchplay Champion.  Her opponent is probably the most improved ladies player to play in Old County and after defeating our Dublin Intercounty player Pauline Balfe in the semi-final, Ann would be fancying her chances.  Vera is so experienced in playing in finals and with her steady game, she is hard to beat.  Once Vera took control of the match it was tough for Ann to get back into it and Vera managed to defend her title with a 5&4 win.

Ladies B: Joan Redmond vs Teresa Keating

It was great to see Joan Redmond contest the final and back playing competitively in club.  Joan was up against playing the defending Champion Teresa Keating. The match could go either way as both Ladies play matchplay well and are great competitors.  The form player at the moment is probably Teresa and once Teresa got in front of Joan, she was not for pegging back.  The final result was a 4&3 win for Teresa and fantastic achievement in retaining her title.

The Champions;

Gents Senior: Tom O'Reilly

Gents Inter: Conor O'Shea

Gents Junior: Tony Byrne

Ladies A: Vera Glennon

Ladies B: Teresa Keating

Following on from the ladies Strokeplay on Saturday, it was Gents turn on Sunday. The Gents Junior event was played over 36 holes and it was an excellent win for Tony Byrne who took the title with a score of 112 and he triumphed by 5 shots from Conor Parsons who was the runner up. 

The Inter event was expectly to be hotly contested and it was the reigning Dublin Matchplay champion Charlie Egan who took the initiative with a 49 in his opening round. Charlie found the going much tougher in Round 2 but fought back well to salvage a 54 and his score of 103 was enough to give him the lead heading into the final round. In the last round. Charlie was unable to reproduce the exploits of his opening round and he had to settle for a final round of 54, that wasn't enough to hang on as a a superb final round from Tommy Lynam of 49 was enough to see him leapfrog Charlie and seal the title for a wonderful win. David Redmond has had his injuries to contend with in recent weeks but he played well in the final round and sealed the final 18 prize. 

The Senior event was another that we expected to go to the wire and we were not left dissappointed. Tom O'Reilly shot 47 in round 1 as did Kevin Bermingham but it was Karl Murphy who once again showed his recent vein of form to hit a 43 to surge ahead. However in Round 2, Karl added a 50 to finish on 93, however that wasn't enough for him to stay in front as Tom added a superb 44 to lead on 91. Kevin Bermingham on 95, George McGreal on 97 and stephen Power on 98 were the front runners as the holder Andy Lowe finished with 102. In the last round, George McGreal was to put in a fine round on 48 to win the final 18 as he finished on -17. Stephen Power too added an excellent 49 to finish on -15. However it was the Karl & Tom show as the duo fought it out. Tom looked to be in control as he was 2 clear playing the 17th, however as he hit a 5 and Karl parred we wondered whether tie holes beckoned as both were -21, but Karl found trouble and finished with a bogey, Tom though finished in style with a birdie and a -22 score total.  The two played incredibly well and could well contest the Matchplay finals next Friday. What odd's on the trio completing a Matchplay double on Friday night. Well done to our three winners, Tony Byrne, Tommy Lynam and Tom O'Reilly. 

It may have been All Ireland Strokeplay weekend, but there was still  large contingent played last weekend and some good scoring as well. The Results are listed above and well done to all the winner.

The 2nd Tier II event of the season took place at the weekend and despite the Over 55 Qualifiers, the DCBS Open and the Dublin Mixed finals, there was still  a good number of cards ideal preparation for many of our seniors ahead of the All Ireland next Sunday and three of our qualifiers showed their games are tuning up nicely. Andy Lowe and Tom O'Reilly picked up the 36 Gross prizes, but it was our Captains Prize winner Karl Murphy who once again showed he is in a rich vein of form winning with another stunning score of 86. Other winners in the gents were Stephen Keatinge, Tony Byrne Conor Parsons and lovely to see Noel Daly among the winners too.  Tom Balfe too topped off a great weekend after qualifying for the Over 55 Finals winning the 18 Gross in the Inters.

In the ladies we also saw some familiar names on the winners podium with Pauline Balfe, Vera Glennon and Vera Moore have enjoyed great seasons, Lucy Quinn too is a former Anne Keane winner but 2018 belonged to Jenn McGreal. Jenn and Paul have been juggling parenting duty superbly making sure they both keep their games in check whilst ensuring Harry & Hope are enjoying quality time with Mam & Dad. Jenn made a good run at the Captains but made no mistake this weekend to capture one of the most sought after trophies in the Ladies.  

A big though mention to Joe Canning, Stephen Murray and the Grounds team, amidst the arduous weather conditions and lack of rain water, they continue to produce wonderful greens that the players are just loving playing and the scoring is reflective. Well done guys on a fantastic weather, just maybe you might get a little rain in the next week. 

The presentation of our Prizes take place after the Club Matchplay finals on Friday July 27th. Well done to all but especially Karl & Jenn. The Full list of results can be found here