Mount Juliet Golf Notes

Last Saturday saw the annual “drive-in” for the new Captains of 2013 take place and on a day of unseasonal mild
weather, a large turnout of members and friends had an enjoyable days golf. This was followed by a social evening and the day ended up with a very enjoyable dinner in Kendals Restaurant on Saturday night. The new Captains for 2013 are Dermot Divilly who took over from Alan Hoyne and Dorothy Kilroy who took over from Ruth Mulholland. Both new Captains were presented with their blazers at a function held in the Hunter’s yard. As is the custom for the past few years the Captains were driven by pony and cart to the front of the clubhouse where they “drove “ into office by each hitting a drive down the practice ground.

Before all the formalities of the day a very enjoyable two person scramble took place over each nine holes which produced some hot scoring. Best score of the day was produced by the husband and wife pairing of Ger Dowling and Karen Murphy who returned a one over par gross score of 37 shots for an impressive 27 shots nett score which won the first nine hole prize. The winners of the second nine hole prize were Pat Fitzpatrick and Dermot Fennelly who had a level par round of 36 shots which yielded a nett score of 31 shots.

Results of Nine Holes 2 Person Scramble Saturday 5th January

First Nine Holes

Second Nine Holes

Last Sunday the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, one of the principal competitions of the golfing year, was competed for over 18 holes singles stableford. The holder of the trophy is decided by the best score returned in both the ladie’s and men’s competition. This honour fell to Fiona Corbett who playing off 7 handicap returned an excellent 39 points which was only four shots over par for the course. She beat the men’s section winner, Finbar O’Neill who scored a fine 38 points off the white tees.

On a lovely summer-like day with a very large entry for the coveted trophy scoring was as hot as the day. Apart from Finbar who readily won the men’s section there was good scoring from Brian Blanchfield and Chris McHugh who filled the runners-up and third spots with 37 points each in this section. Finbar had nines of 18 and 20 points respectively in his very steady round and with a C.S.S. of 34 points for the day has reduced his handicap by a couple of shots.

Fiona, who is new member to the club and is sister of Amelia Drumm, certainly made her mark with a wonderful round of 77 gross for nines of 19 and 20 points respectively. Fiona had two shots to spare from her nearest rival, Brenda O’Sullivan who returned 37 points and would have won her section handsomely but for Fiona’s intervention. As in the men’s section C.S.S for the day in the ladie’s section was also 34 points. The presentation of prizes for this competition and for the monthly medals of March, April and May will take place on June 24th.

History was made last week with the first ever underage team to represent Mount Juliet taking part in the under 15 age Boys Leinster championships. This is a round robin qualifying event with teams representing Kilkenny, Gowran Park, Carlow and Coolattin in the local regional qualifying group. In the first round Mount Juliet had a comprehensive victory over near neighbours Kilkenny and now will play the remaining clubs in their group and hopefully go forward to the next winners group section. The panel consisted of Luke Donnelly, John Hession, Jack Cullen, Brian Staunton, Ned Kirwan, Tim Howes and Conor Mulholland and is managed by Jeff Howes and congratulations is deserved to the whole team.
Round 2 of the Summer League resumes this Sunday with tee times available from 08.30 to 11.00hrs.

Results Jack Nicklaus Trophy Sunday 27th May

Men

Winner; Finbar O’ Neill(16)……………………38 points.
Second: Brian Blanchfield(13)…………………37 points.
Third: Chris McHugh(16).……………………..37 points.
1st Nine. Pat Doyle(14)………………………….19 points.
2nd Nine. Ml. Collins(11)………………………..20 points.

Ladies

Winner: Fiona Corbett(7)….……………………..39 points.
Second; Brenda O’ Sullivan(31)…………………37 points.
Third; Brona Reidy(13)…………………………….32 points.
1st Nine; Helen Hedigan(20)…………………….17 points.
2nd Nine; Bernie Madigan(12)……………………19 points.

The penultimate round of the Winter League for members was played last Sunday and it proved to be a runaway success for John O’ Dwyer who covered the 18 holes in level par to record 41 points. John certainly spreadeagled the field of fellow competitors, as his nearest rivals were a full five shots behind. In second place came Bryan Higgins who beat Michael Brennan on a countback, both players finishing with 36 points. Third and fourth places were filled by Ted Hoyne and Brian Blanchfield respectively with scores of 35 points each. Congratulations to John on an excellent round of golf and he is presently enjoying a rich vein of form. The League table continues to be led by Alan Hearn on 46 points but he is closely pursued by Frank Kelly on 45 points. Alan Hoyne, Kevin McCartan and Pat Doyle fill the minor placings on 39, 37 and 34 points respectively. But all five players are still very much in contention for the overall prize which will be decided on the final day  April 8^th.

Last Sunday saw the introduction of new scorecards and this card now incorporates a change of the indices for most holes in both the ladies and mens round of play. The change came about on a return of evidence of 1,663 rounds of golf computed from resurns off the white tees over the past seven years. The most notable change will be the indices of the 3^rd and 6^th holes which have been changed dramatically from a high index to low and vice-versa. The changes have been favourably received by members who played last Sunday in the Winter League.

Next Sunday sees another Member/Guest Fourball Stableford competition down for decision with tee times available on line or by phoning the golf shop.