Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The last team standing in the Inter Club competitions made its exit on Monday last. The Ladies Challenge Cup team tasted defeat at the hands of the ladies from Woodenbridge Golf Club in the semi-final stage which was played at the neutral venue of Baltinglass Golf Club.

Needless to say they went down fighting but Woodenbridge were the stronger team on the day and won on a scoreline of 3½ to 1½ matches. The team and panel consisted of Brenda O’Sullivan, Wendy Beirne, Ann Murphy, Joan Pierce, Mary Cotter, Ann Daly and Dorothy Kilroy. They were managed throughout the competition by Helen Comerford and the panel and manager deserve congratulations on a fine effort to progress so far in a very keenly fought tournament.

The most recent round of the Summer Series produced some excellent scoring by the winning team comprised of four members of Portlaoise Golf Club. They scored a total of 102 points and were 12 points clear of the runners-up who all hailed from Carlow Golf Club. The entry sheet was full on the day but no one could get near the winning score. The winners had nines of 49 points and 53 points respectively and hardly put a foot wrong on their way to a convincing victory.

Last Sunday saw a Member/Guest Scotch Mixed Foursomes down for decision and this proved to be a triumph for the mother and son pairing of Tim and Sally Gleeson. They just got home from Phelim O’Connor and Helen Scully on a countback with both pairings scoring 35 points each.

Last week there was a bag of mixed luck on the Inter Club front with two ladies teams in action. The Challenge Cup team were pitted against Kilkenny Golf Club at the neutral venue of Callan and they came out on top by a margin of 3½ matches to 1½ matches. The format of the competition was 5 singles and Mary Cotter, Ann Murphy and Wendy Beirne all won their respective matches with Dorothy Kilroy securing a half in her match. While on the course. Brenda O’Sullivan lost narrowly to her opponent.

The All Ireland Fourball team lost narrowly to the ladies of Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club but only on a countback. In this competition two pairs play at home and two pairs play away. While our two home pairs achieved victory, the away players lost and on a countback of holes won and lost, Mount Juliet came out on the wrong end. The pairings were Helen Scully/Ruth Skehan and Helen Hedigan/Mary Fulton, both of these pairings played at Mount Juliet. At Carrick-on-Suir, the pairings were Sally Gleeson/Jon Hegarty and Myra Phelan/Rita Garvey. It is interesting to note that Helen and Ruth were 5 down after nine holes but recovered for a great victory on the 18th.

Next Sunday sees the running of the J.B. Carr Trophy in memory of our former illustrious President Joe, and this is a Golfer of the Year competition with extra points available.

On Tuesday next the open Summer Series for teams of four players continues and reservations for tee times can be made by phoning 056 7773071.

On Friday last the fundraiser for the Special Olympics was held which included golf, dinner in Kendals Brasserie Restaurant and the evening concluded with an auction of sporting memorabilia and other items.

The auction was conducted by former rugby international, Fergus Slattery, and although it did not take too long to auction all items, it greatly contributed to a very deserving cause in helping some of our athletes to partake in the Special Olympics. Full credit to the chief organiser of the event, Norman Kilroy, a former captain of the club and a person who gives his time every year to run the events of the day. Over €30,000 was raised on the day and this will be added to the overall fund to cover the enormous costs of sending the Irish team to the games.

Last Sunday saw the May competition for Member/Guest decided and the format was a fourball stableford. The winning score of 42 points was returned by Pat Price Sr., and his guest David Kelly. They were two points clear of their nearest rivals Michael Williams and Aidan McDonald. Because of the inclement weather and the recovery rate of some players who played on Friday, the entry for this competition was smaller than usual.

Next Thursday sees the next round of the Summer Series which an open competition for teams of four players. Tee times can be obtained for this competition by phoning golf reservations or the golf shop.

On Sunday next the first of the “majors” is down for decision with the running of the Jack Nicklaus Trophy. This singles competition will count for points in the Golfer of the Year for men and ladies.

On the Inter Club scene, the Duggan Cup team are due to meet our neighbours Gowran Park on Friday next.

May Member & Guest Fourball Sunday 22nd May

Winners

Pat Price Snr. (14)

David Kelly (7) (Malahide) 42 points

Second

Michael Williams (20)

Aidan McDonald (6) (Kilkenny) 40 points