Old County Pitch & Putt Club

Ladies and Gentlemen tonight was Finals Night in our 2021 Club Matchplay. Fantastic to see so many people coming up to watch the finals  in the evening sunshine. New faces, old faces, special shout out to former long time Committee Member Mr Jim Goddard who came up this evening to enjoy the matches. Great to see you there Jim.

The course was in fantastic condition, thanks so much to Stephen Murray, Joe Canning and the rest of the grounds team.  There were 5 Finals to be decided. Our Competitions Secretary, Mr Kevin Bermingham, got each match underway. Gladiators are you ready!!

The first match to get started was the Mens Junior Final between Denis Grace and Tom Mulvey. This match was nip and tuck with only a hole or 2 in the difference for most of the match. Some very good shots, some interesting shots by both players but gradually the experienced Tom Mulvey pulled away over the 2nd 18 to win 5&4.  Well done Denis who came through some very good matches during the week against strong opponents. To finish Runner Up in the Club Matchplay, just over a year in the Club is an excellent achievement. But tonight belonged to Tom Mulvey winning the legendary one handled Andrew Crowe Cup. Congratulations Tom fantastic win.

The 2nd match to get going was the Ladies A Final featuring Pauline Balfe and Laura Whelan. This was a high quality game between 2 excellent players, holes being halved in 2's, a nearly hole in one by Laura on the 14th.   However Pauline, the defending champion, is one of the top lady players in Dublin. Some excellent putting by Laura kept the match interesting. In the end Pauline was to claim a 4&3 win. Well done Laura on a fine performance in finishing runner up. Congratulations Pauline on retaining your title and giving hubby Tom yet again something to polish for the next 12 months.

The 3rd match out of the blocks was the Gents Inter Final final between  young guns Lennon Blake and Jamie Power. The most interesting thing about this match was getting to meet Lennon's number 1 supporter again since pre Covid, his Grandad. Only kidding lads yee did have plenty of good shots out there. On the night Lennon proved too strong for Jamie and went on to win the match with a few holes to spare (actually quite a few). Well done Jamie on reaching the final, you had some good wins during the week to get there. Great to see you back playing. Congratulations Lennon on becoming Old County Gents Inter Champion 2021. Thoroughly deserved.

The 4th match to hit the course was the Gents Senior Final between Brendan Fitzpatrick and Tom O'Reilly. Tom was fast out of the blocks winning the first 2 holes with birdie 2's. Brendan pegged him back to 1 down after 5 with a birdie 2 on the 5th. The match remained tight for most of the first round with an exchange of 2's here and there. Into the 2nd round Tom started to up the pace and found himself 3 and 4 up. Whenever Brendan got a 2 Tom was able to match him. Elbows were touched on the 32nd hole with a 5&4 win for Tom. Well done Brendan you played some fantastic pitch and putt all week, you are well able to compete with the best. Congratulations Tom on your 5th Old County Gents Senior Matchplay Title, excellent pitch and putt.

The 5th and final match of the week was the Ladies B Final between Frances Keane and Teresa Keating. The ladies agreed on an 18 hole final, the tropical Azores heatwave front was expected to hit Old County about 7.30pm. Best stay cool. This was the only match of the night to go to the final hole, both level playing 18. Teresa looked in trouble on the 18th when her tee shot landied under a trailer.  However the trailer was moveable, easy peazy lemon squeezy thought Teresa. The trailer was moved and Teresa was able to get a super 3 and win the match by 1 hole. Well done Frances on making the final and going the distance. You played very well throughout the championship. Congratulations to Teresa on being Old County Ladies B Matchplay Champion 2021.

What a week. We were blessed with good weather. Thank you so much to Kevin Bermingham our Competitions Secretary, to our President Agnes Redmond for helping out with the presentation and also to all involved in maintaining the course and making it such an enjoyable week. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and to those who came up to watch the matches tonight and throughout the week. If any of yee are on the Facebook, George has some photos from tonights action up there on it. Plenty of Pitch and Putt Action ahead for the rest of the season so keep an eye on the noticeboards. Happy Pitching and Putting.

Ladies and Gentlemen tonight was Semi Final Night in our Club Matchplay. The course was looking fantastic in the evening sunshine. The results were as follows:

Gents Senior S/F 1: This was contested by Andy Lowe and Brendan Fitzpatrick.  Brendan was in fantastic pitching form over the first 27 holes building a 7up lead. However Andy kept going right to the end and wasn't going to go down without a fight. It was the 33rd hole before they touched elbows, Brendan coming through 4 & 3 to reach his first Senior Matchplay Final. Congratulations Brendan on a fine win and hard luck Andy you played some good stuff over the last few days but tonight it wasnt to be.

Gents Senior S/F 2: George McGreal v Tom O'Reilly. This match actually started quite early in the evening but went the distance with Tom 1 up playing the 36th and hitting a superb pitch to the green. George just missed out on chipping in for a 2 in order to make Tom putt. Elbows touched, Congratulations Tom and hard luck George, a fine game between 2 great players.

Gents Inter S/F 1: This was a good standard of pitch and putt between Lennon Blake and Liam Comerford. Lennon had to be at his best to shake off Liam and eventually Lennon came through 5&4. Congratulations Lennon on making the final and hard luck Liam.

Gents Inter S/F 2: This pitted Jamie Power against the dancing putter in Tony Byrne. Some fine pitching by Jamie but Tony hung in there for quite a while. Eventually Jamie claimed the victory to advance to the final. Congratulations Mr Power and hard luck but well played Tony Byrne.

Gents Junior S/F 1: Well two stealy competitors went head to head in this one, Denis Grace, loving the matchplay format and Brendan Cullen, master chipper. It was a battle all the way and evetually Denis was too strong for Brendan, Denis going through with a 2&1 victory. Congratulations Denis on reaching your first Club Final and well done Brendan for getting to the semi-finals, I am sure you will be back again.

Gents Junior S/F 2: This was between Tom Mulvey and Patrick Charles. The very experienced Tom was too strong for Charlie on the night, Tom coming through 4 & 3 to reach the final. Congratulations Tom on your win and hard luck Charlie but well done on reaching the semi-final stage.

Ladies A S/F 1: Well these 2 ladies caught everyone by surprise starting early in the day. Two fine players in Laura Whelan and Dolores Mason. Laura won this one somewhere out there, I am sure it was an excellent game. Congratulations Laura on reaching the final and hard luck Dolores, but well done on making the semi-finals.

Ladies A S/F 2:  This was the last match to finish on the night. Last years finalists Pauline Balfe and Vera Glennon went head to head in this years semi-finals. Never a dull match between these two, always entertaining.  Vera went ahead early on but Pauline never gives in and fought her way back into the match. Some fine pitching on the back 9 by both players. Pauline was eventually to win out by 2&1. Congratulations Pauline on reaching another final and well done Vera on getting so far.

Ladies B S/F 1: This one went the distance with Frances Keane winning on the final hole against Marie Devoy. Congratulations Frances on reaching the final and well done Marie for a fine performance, hope you enjoyed the competition.

Ladies B S/F 2: This was between Bridie Roche and Teresa Keating. A good sporting match between the 2 ladies. Teresa was to claim victory in this one to make the final. Congratulations Teresa and well done Bridie for a fine match.

So now we know tomorrow Nights Finalists. Would be great to see a good socially distant crowd down to support all these players who have played so well to reach the finals. All the finals are over 36 holes, the first one teeing off at 6pm. So if you have some free time tomorrow evening would be great to see you down there. If you are busy we hope to update you with the results on the line this time tomorrow evening. The Finalists are as follows:

Ladies B Final: Frances Keane v Teresa Keating

Ladies A Final: Pauline Balfe v Laura Whelan

Gents Junior Final: Denis Grace v Tom Mulvey

Gents Inter Final: Lennon Blake v Jamie Power

Gents Senior Final: Brendan Fitzpatrick v Tom O'Reilly

Best of luck to all the finalists, above all enjoy the experience.

Ladies and Gentlemen the results are in for last weekends singles strokes competition. To say the scoring was hot would be an understatement, it was sizzling. Some fantastic scores. Congratulations to the winners below and thank you to everyone who played over the weekend. The results are as follows:

Gents Senior 18 Nett: Andy Lowe 40 (222, 223, 222, 222, 332, 322) Wow!

Gents Senior 18 Gross: Karl Murphy 42 

Gents Inter 18 Nett: Ken McKinlay 41

Gents Inter 18 Gross: Tommy Lynam 47

Gents Junior 18 Nett: Patrick Charles 42 (o.b.9.)

Gents Junior 18 Gross: Brian Gorman 53

Ladies A 18 Nett: Ann O'Shea 46 (o.b.9.)

Ladies A 18 Gross: Deirdre Curran 59 (o.b.6.)

Ladies B 18 Nett: Teresa Keating 50

Ladies B 18 Gross: Frances Keane 66

The Buffer Zone in the National Handicap System was 46 - 49 Nett. Next weekend is Singles Stableford.

Ladies and Gentlemen tonight was Quarter Final Night in our Club Matchplay. Another fine evening and some quality pitch and putt. The results are as follows:

Gents Senior Q/F 1: Andy Lowe and Kevin Bermingham had a fine tussle over the 36 holes with plenty of 2's. The match was decided on the 1st tie hole with Andy earning the victory to advance to the semi-finals.

Gents Senior Q/F 2: This was an interesting battle between 2 men in good form lately, Brendan Fitzpatrick and Conor O'Shea. A good standard of pitch and putt was played with Brendan proving the stronger and coming through 2&1.

Gents Senior Q/F 3: A match of high quality with 2 top class players and recent Sean Tyre Fourball Matchplay Champions, Stephen Murray and George McGreal going head to head. The match was all square going to the 36th. George had an excellent pitch to within 4 feetish while Stephen pitched to the front of the green leaving a much longer putt.  Stephen hit a fine putt that unfortunately for him just shaved the hole while George knocked in his putt to claim victory by the narrowest of margins. 

Gents Senior Q/F 4: This match saw Tom O'Reilly and Kevin Corcoran go head to head. Kevin stayed close for the first round and the first few holes of the 2nd round but Tom is a tough matchplayer around Old County and got stronger as the match went on and came through to claim a semi final spot for tomorrow night.

Gents Inter Q/F 1: Lennon Blake v Gerry Clarges. Lennon getting stronger and stronger as the competition progresses was too hot to handle for Gerry, Lennon coming through with a few holes to spare.

Gents Inter Q/F 2: Liam Comerford v Sean O'Shea. Liam, always a tough matchplayer, was too good for Sean on the night. Liam advancing to yet another Intermediate semi-final.

Gents Inter Q/F 3: Mal Kellett v Jamie Power. A fine game saw young Mr. Power claim victory and advance to the semi finals. 

Gents Inter Q/F 4: Tony Byrne came through this one at the expense of Tom Balfe. 

Gents Junior Q/F 1: An interesting battle of the 2 left handers saw Denis Grace claim a 4&3 victory over Thomas Blair.

Gents Junior Q/F 2: Brendan Cullen was too strong for Mark Lowe on the night, Brendan advancing to the semi finals

Gents Junior Q/F 3: In an early kick-off Tom Mulvey claimed a semi final spot with victory over Martin Dunne  

Gents Junior Q/F 4: In this one Patrick Charles hit the high notes to get the better of John Hanvey and claim a semi final spot.  

Ladies A Q/F 1: Last years runner-up Vera Glennon claimed a "just about" victory over Ann O'Shea

Ladies A Q/F 2: Pauline Balfe was too strong for Joan Palmer with Pauline advancing to the semi finals in this one

Ladies A Q/F 3: Unfortunately Deirdre was unable to play this evening so Laura Whelan advances to the semi- final

Ladies Q/F 4: Dolores Mason also with a "just about" victory over President Agnes Redmond goes through to tomorrow night.

So now after all of tonights matches we now have the full semi final line up for tomorrow (Wednesday) night and it is as follows:

Gents Senior S/F 1: Andy Lowe v Brendan Fitzpatrick

Gents Senior S/F 2: George McGreal v Tom O'Reilly

Gents Inter S/F 1: Lennon Blake v Liam Comerford

Gents Inter S/F 2: Jamie Power v Tony Byrne

Gents Junior S/F 1: Denis Grace v Brendan Cullen

Gents Junior S/F 2: Tom Mulvey v Patrick Charles

Ladies A S/F 1: Vera Glennon v Pauline Balfe

Ladies A S/F 2: Laura Whelan v Dolores Mason

Ladies B S/F 1: Frances Keane v Marie Devoy

Ladies B S/F 2: Bridget Roche v Teresa Keating

Some very interesting matches there. Best of luck to everyone, enjoy your pitch and putt.