Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The first competition for the traditional Christmas Hampers took place last Sunday and on a day that started on a typical dull damp November day the weather deteriorated into a steady cold downpour from midday onwards.  This did not deter some competitors from returning some fine scores on the day.  Because of the shorter daylight hours, the competition itself was over the first 16 holes of the course, the format was a singles stableford and pride of place went to that man showing remarkable recent form, Sean Brett, who returned 37 points to just pip Ken MacDonald on a countback.  Sean scored 19 points for his first eight holes which included a birdie on the 1st hole and bogies on the 6th and 8th holes to cover his first eight holes in a very impressive one over par.  On the last eight holes he scored a further 18 points to claim first prize as the 16 hole competition was decided over the scoring on the first eight holes and last eight holes.  Ken on the other hand scored 20 points for his first eight holes and added a further 17 points for his last eight holes.  The vital hole, which decided the outcome of first prize, was the 9th where Sean had a par and Ken scored a double bogey.  Young Tim Howes scored 36 points to win the Junior section with eight hole totals of 22 and 14 points respectively.

In the ladies section Ann O’Shea was the convincing winner with 34 points starting in sparkling form with birdies on the 1st and 7th to score 18 points for her first 8 holes and then added a further 16 points on the last eight holes.  She failed to register a point on the long 13th and this was her only blip in an otherwise impressive round of golf.  Her nearest challenger was Liz Beatty who finished with 32 points and will be disappointed not to have scored on the 5th, 10th and 11th holes when victory was within her grasp.

The next hampers scheduled to be played for will be on 18th November when a Member/Guest Fourball Stableford will be the format.  Again this competition will be over 16 holes with a two tee start on the 1st and 10th holes and slots can be obtained by phoning tee reservations or by going  online.

Results Christmas Hamper 16 Holes Singles Sunday 4th November

Men          Winner           Sean Brett (10)                  37 points(last eight)
                   Second          Ken MacDonald (25)           37 points
                   Junior             Tim Howes  (18)                  36 points

Ladies       Winner           Ann O’Shea (13)                34 points
                   Second          Liz Beatty (16)                   32 points

Last Sunday the J. B. Carr Trophy was played for in ideal conditions and this proved to be an easy win for Neil Magee who playing off a handicap of 11 had two shots to spare from his nearest rival. Neil scored 39 stableford points which puts him well on his way to his ambition of playing off single figures. Neil played very steadily throughout his round and now reduces his handicap to 9.5 as a result of his win. Runner-up was Joe Healy on 37 points and Joe in turn was a shot clear of Owen Phelan who won third place by virtue of a better back nine holes. Prizes for each nine holes were won by Gary Walsh and Hugh O’ Connor with each player scoring 20 points.

The ladies section was won by new member, Laila Balacuit, with 35 points and she was three shots clear of Fiona Corbett with Lucia O’ Flaherty in third spot. The nines were won by Sandra Carr, a daughter in law of J. B., and Helen Comerford. This is Laila’s first win at Mount Juliet and we wish her well for the reminder of the 2012 season. The perpetual trophy and prizes were presented to the winners later that evening by Georgia Carr, a grandaughter of J.B.

The Leinster Boys under 15 Team recorded their second win in the round robin series by beating Carlow Boys but have suffered defeat at the hands of Coolattin and Gowran Park in their quest for honours. The panel consists of Luke Donnelly, Conor Mulholland, John Hession, Tim Howes, Jack Collins, Ned Kirwan and Brian Staunton.

Results J. B. Carr Trophy Sunday 24th June

Men:
Winner; Neil Magee (11)……………………….39 points.
Second: Joe Healy (10)…………………………37 points.
Third: Owen Phelan (11)……………………..36 points.
1st Nine: Gary Walsh (Scr)………………………20 points.
2nd Nine: Hugh O’ Connor (6)……………………20 points.

Ladies:
Winner: Laila Balacuit (36)……………………..35 points.
Second: Fiona Corbett (6)……………………….32 points.
Third: Lucia O’ Flaherty (15)………………….31 points.
1st Nine: Sandra Carr (17)………………………..20 points.
2nd Nine: Helen Comerford (22)………………….18 points.

Next Sunday 1st July sees the next round of the Summer League down for decision and tee times can be booked through the usual channels and members are reminded that the following weekend sees the Captains’ Prizes scheduled with two “shotgun” starts at 9a.m. and 2p.m. on Saturday7th July and some tee times on Friday for players who are unable to play on Saturday.

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.