Mount Juliet Golf Notes

As the Autumn comes toward a close it heralds the gradual end to competitions within the club scene and unfortunately heralds the arrival of Winter competitions over the coming months. One of the last member’s competitions took place last Sunday with the Challenge Trophy up for grabs. This is the competition where the Captain’s Team plays against the Lady Captain’s Team for the honour of holding the trophy for the coming year. The format was a fourball betterball stable ford with the 10 best scores to count for outright success. The end result was that Lady Captain‘s (Sheila MacDonald) team defeated the Captain‘s (Billy Murphy) team by 10 shots, 333 points to 323 points. The defeated Captain had to present the trophy to the winning Lady Captain in the clubhouse that evening. The lucky prize winners on the day received golf equipment for their troubles and three pairs ended up with 38 points each. The best pair were Kevin McCartan and Frank Kelly winning on the last nine holes by virtue of scoring 21 points on their homeward journey.

On Saturday night a very enjoyable social evening and dinner was held for members who had played on teams during the year and the Golfer of the Year trophies were presented to Alan Hoyne and Lynda Hickey for their achievements. Alan Hoyne scooped two awards as he won the McCalmont Matchplay trophy as well.

Next Thursday sees the last major competition for the lady members with the Lady President’s (Mrs. Mary Jones) Prize down for decision and with the continuing good weather still holding there is sure to be a large turnout of members.

Captain Billy Murphy presents the Challenge Trophy to Lady Captain Sheila MacDonald

Results Challenge Trophy:

The final round of the monthly medals for 2009 was played on Sunday last and some very good scores were returned on another pleasant September day. The best score of the day was returned by Colm Dennehy with 39 points and he duly won category 3 with a little to spare. It was nice to see Colm in the winners enclosure as his incursions to this area are all too infrequent. Category 2 was won by Kevin McCartan with 38 points and Category 1 was won by Killian Pierce with 35 points. In the ladies section Sandra Carr was a clear cut winner with an excellent score of 38 points. Sandra has been steadily reducing her handicap this year.

As this was the final medal competition for 2009 it was also the final competition in both of the Golfer of the Year  trophy competitions. The ladies winner is Lynda Hickey who ran away with her section. The men’s section hinged on results of the September medal. The two people concerned in the outcome, Alan Hoyne and Andrew Nixon, did not score any points in the medal. Alan, who was also involved in the McCalmont Cup Matchplay final, came out on top by virtue of the fact that he won the matchplay over the weekend and passed out Andrew who was marginally in front. Alan scored 8 points for winning the matchplay and scored 40 points in total in the G.O.Y. and Andrew had a total of 38
points.

Alan beat James Brett in the final of the matchplay which went to the 18th hole before a decision was reached. Alan, although conceding shots to his opponent, was dormie 3 up after the 15th hole but was made to fight to the last when James won both the 16th and 17th holes. So a very rewarding weekend for Alan by taking the two titles.

Congratulations are in order for both Lynda and Alan on their achievements. As we are giving out plaudits,  congratulations must be extended to our neighbours Kilkenny and Gowran Park on their achievements in winning the Barton Shield and All Ireland Ladies Senior Cup while Gowran Park have to be commended also for their fine victory in the Barton Cup.

Last week the last round of the Summer Series was played and this resulted in a win for a team consisting of four  members of Gowran Park who beat a team from Rathdowney by a clear 5 points.

Results September Medal

Results Summer Series Team of Four.

Summer Series – 4 Person Team Event in association with Kartel Clothing

Thursday, 17^th September 2009

Winners

James Farrell (9)

Pat Butler (7)

Vinnie Hayes (13)

Denis Corbett (16)

(Gowran Park Golf Club) 100 points

Second

Bobby Sweeney (15)

Peter Holland (16)

Eamonn Sweeney (19)

Liam Kenny (17)

(Rathdowney Golf Club) 95 points

Third

John Stakelum (12)

Pat Kavanagh (15)

(Thurles Golf Club)

M Ryan (19)

Conor Stakelum (15)

(Nenagh Golf Club) 94 points (back 9)

Mount Juliet Luxury Hotel Kilkenny, Ireland