Mount Juliet Golf Notes

Last Saturday the President’s (Des Fitzgerald) Prizes to the ladies and men were decided and after a damp start to the early part of the morning the competitors were treated to dry and rather pleasant conditions for the remainder of the day.

The competition had a “shotgun” start at 12 noon and the presentation of prizes took place shortly after all players had completed their round.  Considering the very wet Friday that we endured the course was in excellent condition, but playing its full length, and good scores were recorded by the winners.

First prize for the men went to Finbarr O’ Neill with 37 points who won by a shot from Pat Price Sr.  Amelia Drumm had an easy victory in the ladies section with an excellent 40 points, winning by 4 shots from Ruth Mulholland and Rebecca Nixon.

As a result of this competition, Rebecca has closed the gap on Mary Quigley in the Golfer of the Year but Stephen Price has put further daylight between himself and the chasing pack in the men’s section.  The last competition in both series will be played on 21st September with the running of the September Monthly Medal and this will decide the outcome of both G.O.Y. competitions.

Men’s Results

Winner                 Finbarr O’Neill (17)                               37 points

Runner-Up            Pat Price Sr. (12)                                36 points

Category 1           Joe Hyland (11)                                   34 points

Category 2           Michael T. Costello (17)                        35 points

Category 3           Padraic O’Connor (18)                          33 points

Front 9                 James E. Brett (17)                             20 points

Back 9                 John Mulholland (20)                            20 points

Par 3’s                 Jim Blanchfield (19)                             11 points

Par 5’s                 Ray O’Malley (13)                               10 points

Past Captain        Tom Duggan (8)                                  28 points

Ladies Results:

Winner                 Amelia Drumm (32)                              40 points

Second                Ruth Mulholland (12)                            36 points

Third                    Rebecca Nixon (17)                             36 points

Fourth                  Helen Comerford (20)                           33 points

Front 9                 Margaret Clandillon (26)                       21 points

Back 9                 Brenda O’Sullivan (33)                         16 points

Visitor                  Marie Walsh (20) (Bandon Golf Club)      19 points

Par 3’s                 Rita Garvey (25)                                  10 points

Par 5’s                 Jo Fenton (34)                                    10 points

Past Captain        Adrienne Walsh (20)                              29 points

Junior                   Darcey Carr (20)                                 32 points

Last weekend saw the last competition in the Summer Series decided and it ended up with a victory for the Limerick based team of Jed O’Dwyer, Conor Moroney, Michael O’Brien and Tony Finan who scored a very impressive 95 points to win by two shots from the Rathdowney Golf Club team of Lar Ryan, Brendan Melody, Martin Quinlan and Tony Coady.  They in turn beat the Kilkenny team of Michael Nolan, Maurice Nolan, Seamus Rochford and Tony Butler on a countback.  The runners-up may have had more say in the outcome of first place but for scoring only one point on the par 3, third, with three of the four players visiting a watery grave.

This completes the Summer Series for 2008 and next on the agenda is the commencement of the popular Winter Series which kicks off again on 8th October with a 4 person team event.  The usual conditions apply with the winners of each competition qualifying for the Grand Final in March.  This year there will be a new sponsor for the series with the introduction of Marble City Travel stepping into the breach to replace Waterford Crystal who were synonymous with the competition for so long.  Mount Juliet are delighted to welcome Marble City Travel on board for the series.  Already bookings for the first of the series in October are filling up and unlike the Summer Series there will be no “shotgun” start, reservations will be only by tee time.  Dates and details of each competition will be reported on next week in this paper.

Last Sunday the Member/Guest day was won by Colm Hyland with his two guests Billy White and Jim McGann with 84 points.  They just beat Conor Spain and his guests Ronan Spain and Brian Fives on a countback.  The format of the competition was a three person rumble with one score to count on the first six holes, two scores to count on the middle six and all three scores counting on the last six holes.

The winners scored 15 points after six holes, added another 31 points on the next six and finished their round with a further 38 points.  Conor’s team had sixes of 18 points, 28 points and 38 points to just lose out.  In third place came the team comprised of Pat O’ Shea with his two sons J.D. and Paul who returned 79 points.

Results

Winner

Colm Hyland — – (12)
Billy White — - – (17) (Dublin City)
Jim McGann — – (13) (Dublin City)    — – — – 84 points (last 9)
Second

Conor Spain — – (10)
Ronan Spain — – (12) (Thurles)
Brian Fives — – — (3) (Waterford Castle)    — 84 points
Third

P.F. O’Shea — – – (15)
J.D. O’Shea — – — (8) (Kilkenny)
Paul O’Shea —  — (13) (Kilkenny)    — – – - – 79 points

Next Saturday sees the last of the “majors” down for decision with the scheduling of the President’s (Des Fitzgerald) Prize.  This will be a shotgun start for all entrants starting at 12 noon sharp.  All competitors are asked to register early and the tee draw will be posted in the golf shop on that morning.  Already there is an large turnout of intended players and all one can hope for is that the weather will be kind.  This will be one of the last competitions for Golfer of the Year points and will certainly have a big say in the outcome of that competition.

Andrew Nixon has qualified for the final of the McCalmont Cup matchplay with a last hole victory over John Mulholland in the semi final.  Andrew was four down after 13 holes but put in a great rally to win on the run home.  In the final he will meet the winners of Pat Price Sr., and Michael Doyle who are due to meet this week.

Mount Juliet Member & Guest Day,
18 Holes Stableford, 3 Person Rumble
Sunday, 31st August 2008

Winner

Colm Hyland (12)

Billy White (17) —– (Dublin City)

Jim McGann (13) —- (Dublin City)   84 points (last 9)

Second

Conor Spain (10)

Ronan Spain (12) — (Thurles)

Brian Fives (3) —– (Waterford Castle)      84 points

Third

P.F. O’Shea (15)

J.D. O’Shea (8) —– (Kilkenny)

Paul O’Shea (13) —-(Kilkenny)      79 points