Mount Juliet Golf Notes

Last Thursday saw round 5 of the Waterford Crystal sponsored Winter Series take place. The format was a 3 Person Team Event with two scores to count on the first seventeen holes and all three scores to count on the 18th. On a dull overcast morning which turned into a wet afternoon, the winning score was all the more commendable given the conditions endured by the players.

The golfers from Rathdowney Golf Club, but all of whom reside in Ballyraggett, spreadeagled the field with a wonderful score of 86 points which was nine shots clear of their nearest rivals. Martin Devlin, Michael Dowling and John Gleeson had nines of 42 and 44 points respectively and they were the only team to break 40 points over both nines. Whereas other teams faltered on various holes, the winners kept up their momentum to the last with no slackening off. The only hole that they dipped below 4 points was at the long seventeenth where they scored 3 points, otherwise it was consistency right through to the finish.

The runners up from Carton and Faithlegg just pipped their friends, Pat Delahunty, Mick Crean and Mick Grogan, from Naas and Millicent with a better back nine holes.

So three more players join the qualifiers for the Grand Final in April and with one more round to be completed before the Christmas break, there are 15 players in the hat for the April showdown at this stage with another sixteen places up for grabs in the New Year. Tee times are still available for the singles competition on Tuesday 18th December. To book your tee time, please call Golf Reservations on 056 7773064 or 056 7773071.

Results Winter Series Thursday 6th December

Winners
Martin Devlin (12)
Michael Dowling (21)
John Gleeson (14) Rathdowney Golf Club 86 points

Second
Mick Walsh (16) Faithlegg Golf Club
Tom Gorman (10) Carton Golf Club
John Cullen (9) Carton Golf Club 77 points

Last Sunday saw the Captains for 2008, Peter Quigley and Rita Garvey, drive into office on a very blustery day laced with intermittent showers. But undeterred by the testing conditions a large number of members braved the elements and got into the festive atmosphere which prevailed on the day. There were two nine hole competitions run on the day in conjunction with the “drive in” and these were keenly fought with hampers going to all twelve prizewinners. Pride of place for the first nine holes went to the incoming captain Peter Quigley and his wife Mary who duly scampered away with this prize while Jeff Howes and Steve Tormey had two shots to spare in winning the second nine. There was plenty of sustenance to be got at the 10th tee for all competitors who braved the conditions and this was followed by the presentation of prizes and a social evening in the Hunter’s Yard.
This Thursday sees the next round of the Winter series with a 3 person team event down for decision and then the final round before the Christmas break is scheduled for Tuesday 18th December and the format for that event will be an 18 holes singles stableford.
Results Captains Drive In.

Front Nine Holes:

Winners:
Peter Quigley (7)
Mary Quigley (31) 27 points

Second:
John Mulholland (21)
Ruth Mulholland (12) 26 points

Third:
Joe Hyland (10)
Norman Williams (13) 24 points

Second Nine Holes

Winners:
Jeff Howes (6)
Steve Tormey (17) 28 points

Second:
Michael Whelan (7)
Joe Fitzpatrick (8) 26 points

Third:
Bryan Phelan (16)
Billy Murphy (18) 25 points