Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The Winter Series was played again last Thursday just in time before the “freeze up” engulfed the country. The team of players from Clare, who were stranded by the recent floods there, made sure that they got to Mount Juliet on this occasion and duly reaped the rewards. A team mainly comprising of three brothers from Woodstock Golf Club, who have been regular competitors in the series over the past number of years, made the long trip worthwhile by romping to victory and ensuring their place in the Grand Final next April. The three Dormer brothers ably assisted by their fourth member, P.J.O’ Neill, scored 83 points on a testing day with the course playing its full length.

They scored nines of 42 and 41 points respectively and they had only two worrying moments and these came on the long par five 5th and the par four 18th. On the 5th only two players scored and both had bogey sixes whereas on the 18th the same thing happened with two players scoring bogies as well even though three scores were to count. This resulted in a total of six points being secured for both holes. However there were several similar stories from the remainder of the teams who participated and so the Clare men held on for memorable victory. The series returns again in mid January after the Christmas break. On that festive note may I wish all our members and visitors alike a Merry Christmas and a successful golfing New Year.

Results Winter Series:

Winners Robert Dormer (8)

Jason Dormer (10)

Martin Dormer (16)

P.J. O’Neill (11)  . . .  . . .  . (Woodstock Golf Club)

83 points

Winners

Robert Dormer (8)

Jason Dormer (10)

Martin Dormer (17)

PJ O’Neill (11)     (Woodstock Golf Club)

83 points

As things begin to slow down with the change of weather and less competitions, our thoughts begin to focus on the arrival of the New Year ahead. Mount Juliet has entered the usual number of G.U.I. events for 2010 and it would be nice if one of the teams could have success after some great efforts over the past few years. The nearest any team got to winning a pennant was the Irish Mixed Foursomes team back in 1996 which got to the Leinster Final. Perhaps this year may bring that elusive pennant to the club.

Our congratulations go to Kilkenny golfer, Gary Murphy, on retaining his tour card for 2010 and which is no easy feat in the light of the number of players trying to earn that distinction.

This week sees the last round of the Winter Series for 2009 down for decision this Thursday and the series returns again on Thursday 14th January 2010.

The Leinster Branch of the Golfing Union are deliberating over the recommendations from various clubs in the province for reductions and increases to members handicaps on performance during 2009 and these recommendations should be known this week.

On Christmas Eve in Mount Juliet House a group of carol singers will perform at 6.30pm. As they did for the past few years they will sing traditional carols, this was well received by guests and members alike as it added to the start of the Christmas festivities.