Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The Duggan Cup team had a great win against Castlecomer last Friday when they just prevailed by the odd match of five.  Mount Juliet had the advantage of three matches at home with two matches away.  Unfortunately the away pairings of Alan Hoyne/Pat Garvey and John O’Connor/Michael Brennan came up against formidable opposition in Castlecomer and were duly put to the sword.

At Mount Juliet the team pairings comprised of John O’Dwyer/Frank Smyth, Ted Hoyne /Jon O’Sullivan and Jeff Howes/Sean O’Neill.  All three matches were in control after nine holes and the first and latter pairings went on to have comprehensive victories on the 13^th and 12^th holes respectively.  The pairing of Ted Hoyne and Jon O’Sullivan were 3 up after the 14^th hole and seemed to have victory within their grasp only for the Castlecomer pairing to stage a determined comeback over the closing holes.  However, Ted and Jon held on to finish in style on the 18^th and so the team progresses to the next round against neighbours, Callan, who won at a similar stage last year.

Last Sunday, in difficult weather conditions, the “Rumble for Crumlin” charity event was held.  The rules of the competition are the best individual score is recorded for the first six holes, then two scores are recorded on the next six holes with all three scores recorded for the last six.  The competition was won in a very convincing fashion by a team led by this year’s captain, Dermot Divilly, who returned 83 points to win by a big margin.  The winners had 17 points on the first six holes and added 31 points on holes 7 to 12 and finished the last six with a further 35 points.  The two other members of the team were Michael Brennan (12) and Dermot Fennelly (11).  This team will now go forward and represent the club at the final later in the year.

Next Sunday sees the start of the Summer League and a timesheet is in operation with entries at the golf shop.  Twenty four ladies from the club had a very enjoyable overnight golf trip led by the Lady Captain, Dorothy Kilroy, to Carton House recently.  But as usual what happens in Carton House stays in Carton House.  Dorothy reports that the “Ladies Monday Morning” competition is becoming very popular and entries are picking up each week.

Thrilling Finish to Irish P.G.A. Championship

The Irish PGA Championship has produced it’s fair share of photo finishes since it’s inception just over 100 years ago and this year was no exception with the outcome not resolved until the third tie hole in gloomy light at picturesque Mount
Juliet. The championship which was due to be decided over 72 holes commencing on last Thursday had to be curtailed to 54 holes due to the incessant rain which fell during Wednesday night and again on Thursday morning as play commenced. Players had already started their round only to be called in after less than an hour and it was reluctantly decided to abandon the first round and to shorten the tournament to 54 holes. After the 1st round the early leader was Peter Martin from Riverside Golf Acadamey in Northern Ireland with a 67, which was 5 under par and he was followed by John Kelly, Eamon Brady and Barrie Trainor on 69. Peter Martin still led after the second round on -6 after a 71 and he was just ahead of Eamon Brady and local hope Gary Murphy both of whom had closed to within a shot with the remainder of the field closing in on the leader as well.

After the second round the field was reduced to 54 players and play had to be suspended for 3 hours on Sunday morning due to heavy fog. When play eventually got under way three players were making a move up the leader board and these were Noel Murray of Massereene, Gary Murphy and David Higgins of Waterville with Peter Martin still holding on to the lead. Gary took over the lead on the 8th hole and moved to 8 under par for the tournament after a succession of birdies. He held this lead until the very last hole where he was joined by David Higgins and Noel Murray. Gary was still a shot ahead of his pursuers playing the 54th hole but he unfortunately dropped only his second shot to par over the final round when he had a five.

The play-off was over the par five 17th and par four 18th holes and the format was a sudden death. Unfortunately for Gary he made his exit on the first play-off hole, the 17th,when he hit his second shot to the front edge of the green he proceeded to three putt and although David Higgins and Noel Murray had not executed as fine an approach they both chipped and putted for birdies. This meant that Gary was eliminated from the play-off and both Higgins and Murray continued play down the 18th. Here both players had a four after they both chipped and putted to save their pars. Up the long 17th again and after David Higgins’ approach shot came to rest some 90 yards short of the green and under a large tree he executed a divine low chip to within a foot for a winning birdie 4 with Noel Murray lipping out from the bunker for a half after his approach chip finished in the left hand bunker. Gary was unfortunate not to win the championship as he had chances for birdies to consolidate his lead on the 16th and 17th holes in his final round.

The winner pocketed a cheque for €3,500 with the two runners-up receiving a cheque for €2,150 each with Peter Martin getting €1660. It was a day to remember for David Higgins as he also won the Order of Merit and another handsome cheque.

Result of the Irish P.G.A Championship 2012

Winner: David Higgins, Waterville Golf Club (70,72,67.) ….209

Second: Noel Murray, Massereene Golf Club (70,70,69)……209

Gary Murphy, Laytown Bettystown (70,69,70)……..209

Fourth: Peter Martin, Riverside Golf Academy (67,71,72)….210

The Pro-Am which took place on Wednesday before the championship was won by a team from Stranorlar/Ballybofey Golf Club led by John Dolan with a massive score of 100 points. They just got home on a countback from a Castlecomer Golf Club Team led by Robert Giles with a Mount Juliet team led by John Dywer of Ashbourne Golf Club on 97 points in third place. John Dwyer shot a sizzling eight-under-par 64 to win the professional prize.

Last week was an important one for our junior members as the competition for the Captain’s (James J. Brett) prize and the Lady Captain‘s (Margaret Twomey) prize took place. This competition was washed out last June when it should have taken place in conjunction with the adult competition. Some fine scoring was recorded by our Junior members as both Darcey Carr, a granddaughter of J.B. and Luke Donnelly, nephew to the hurling Fennellys, scored 42 points and were winners in their respective sections. Darcey, playing off the ladies red tees, had a remarkable two over par gross. She dropped a total of four shots to par but struck back with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes, a fine achievement indeed. As a result Darcey now sees her handicap of 8 reduced further.

Luke Donnelly playing off the yellow tees had a level par round for 42 points and will see his handicap of 6 reducing further in the near future as well. Luke dropped two shots to par at the 9th and 16th holes but made up for these lapses with birdies at the 2nd and 15th. No doubt there is a bright golfing future in store for both of these young players. Other notable scores were recorded by Brian Staunton, Jack Cullen in the boys section and Elizabeth Shields scoring 40 points in the girls section, with the Mulcahy brothers scoring well on each nine holes. Prizes were presented in the clubhouse with proceedings ending with a social get-together for all contestants.

Myra Phelan, followed in the footsteps of her husband Bryan, a previous winner, by capturing the Residential Trophy last week. This annual competition which has a much sought after prize and is confined to the many residents who grace the estate and add great life to the social scene at Mount Juliet. Myra recorded a fine score of 38 points and had a shot to spare from her nearest rivals. Myra scored a first nine holes of 17 points but really came to life on the back nine holes by scoring a further 21 points to clinch victory from John Thompson. The youthful Iona Stevenson won the Junior Prize with a very commendable 37 points and so reduced her playing handicap further in the past week. Myra, who is also Lady Handicap Secretary, will no doubt have to adjust her own handicap accordingly after her fine winning score.

On Saturday afternoon last a Member/Guest 18 hole singles competition was held and competitors had to endure some heavy, thunder showers during the course of play. The winning score of 33 points was returned by Conor Spain with Martin Holohan and Liz Hedigan finishing second and third respectively.

Next Sunday sees the “vice-versa” competition down for decision and this is a Golfer of the Year competition. The competition is officially the Captain’s Prize to the Ladies and the Lady Captain’s Prize to the Men and both competitions are run off together with a “shotgun start” at 11a.m. sharp. Starting holes will be allotted to all competitors on Sunday morning. This competition is another of the “majors” on the golfing calendar and could clinch the G.O.Y. competition as the “Summer Golf” nears a conclusion.

Also the next round of the popular Summer Series takes place on Tuesday 16th August and as usual this is a 4 person team event over 18 holes with any combination eligible to partake and 2 scores to count on each hole.

Results Captains Prize for Juniors

Results Residential Trophy

Member/Guest 18 Holes Singles 6th August