Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The April Medal was played for last Sunday and it produced the biggest entry of competitors for a long number of years. The scoring matched the entry with 39 points leading the field on a dry but crisp day with a “bite” in the prevailing north easterly wind. The scoring was led by Alan Hearn who returned 39 points in category 1 which was followed by 38 points both in category 2 and in the ladies section. The remaining category was won by Brian Nevin with a steady score of 35 points. Because of the difficult conditions the C.S.S. for the day was reduced to 34 points for all categories and consequently there was a number of players who had their handicaps adjusted accordingly. As this medal competition also counted as a qualifier for the club match-play the cut off for the 32 men who qualified was 30 points with two players getting through on 29 points. The sixteen ladies who made their match-play stages qualified on 27 points or better.

Alan Hearne scored nines of 20 and 19 points respectively for a round of 39 points and in the process gained some valuable points in his quest to regain Golfer of the Year. In category 2 , Shay Quinn, led the field with two nines of 19 points and this was equalled by Lynda Hickey in the ladies section. Lynda scored nines of 18 and 20 points respectively in her fine round.

The draw for the match-play stages is posted on the notice board and full details will appear in next week’s edition. The first round of the match-play will have to be completed by 31st May with the top named player to contact his/her opponent.
On the inter club scene two more teams unfortunately made their exit in the first round with the defeat of the Leinster Men’s Fourball team at the hands of Waterford and the Barton Cup team going down to neighbours Callan. Both teams were decisively beaten in their respective matches on a scoreline of 4/1.

This week the annual Spring maintenance programme is going ahead so the course will not re-open until this Thursday for play.

Results April Monthly Medal Sunday 15th April

Category 1. Alan Hearne(8)……………. 39 points
Category 2. Shay Quinn(15)…………….38 points
Category 3. Brian Nevin(17)……………35 points
Ladies. Lynda Hickey(21)………………  38 points

On the Inter Club scene two teams progressed to the next round of their respective competitions. The ladies won a hard fought victory over Rosslare in the second round of the Ladies Challenge Cup and now progress to the third round where they will meet the winners of Waterford or Tramore. Mary Quigley won the vital away match of three in Rosslare and this added to the two matches won at home by Anne Murphy and Mary Cotter to give the overall result reading of a 3/2 victory having lost the other two matches at Rosslare.

The second team to win were the Ladies Junior Foursomes Team who defeated The Curragh in rather unusual circumstances. After the first leg at The Curragh, Mount Juliet ladies stared defeat in the face with the Co. Kildare ladies holding the upper hand after winning all three matches comfortably. But they were dealt a cruel blow of fate when it was discovered some days later that one of their ladies, Maria Donnelly, had unknowingly played with a non-conforming driver and then in a very sporting gesture informed her team manager of the situation and she in turn conceded the particular match to Mount Juliet. So it meant that instead of being 3-0 down they were now 2 matches to 1 down but with an advantage of holes won as the concession meant that it was a 10/8 victory in that particular match. So low and behold in the second leg Mount Juliet won two matches and lost one to draw level overall and on a countback of holes up Mount Juliet just had the upper hand as a result of the conceded match. This indeed was a very sporting gesture on behalf of Maria and the ladies from The Curragh and one that has to be congratulated.

Junior Foursomes Team: Maire Shee, Susan Mahony, Rita Garvey – Lady Captain, Pearl Brennan, Margaret O’Rourke, Gwen Walshe

The only team to make their exit was the Irish Mixed Foursomes team who conceded a walkover to Woodenbridge in rather different circumstances and unfortunately was not in the same sporting manner as the match outlined against The Curragh.

The Golfer of the Year competitions are now beginning to take shape and with two rounds completed the early leaders are Stephen Price and Lynda Hickey in their respective divisions. Some fascinating matches will be played in the McCalmont Cup matchplay as a result of the draw after the qualifying round. Four ladies have made the matchplay proper and they are Mary Quigley who plays Bill Hutchinson, Lynda Hickey plays Ray O’Malley, Rita Garvey plays Richard Duggan and Noel Murphy plays Una O’Sullivan. Richie Guilfoyle will have to be at his best to give John Mulholland 18 shots in his first round. A new name will be added to the trophy this year as the 2007 winner Rebecca Nixon failed to make it through to the matchplay.

The next round of the Summer Series takes place on Tuesday 13th May with a shotgun start at 2pm. The presentation of prizes takes place immediately after play and the format is a four person team event over 18 holes with two scores to count on 17 holes and three scores on the last. The prizes for this round are sponsored by Heineken Ireland. The time sheet for this competition is filling up fast so intending players should ring 056 7773071 or 056 7773064 for a tee time.