Mount Juliet Golf Notes

The Winter Series was played last week and this resulted in a win for three friends from Laois and Kilkenny who returned a winning score of 78 points. The format was a three person rumble over 18 holes and the winners had a comfortable victory over the opposition. The next round of the series takes place on Wednesday 7th December and tee reservations for this competition can be made by telephoning 056 7773071.

Last Sunday saw the Member/Guest competition over 16 holes for hampers. The format was a fourball stableford and the winners scored an impressive 40 points. They were two shots clear of their nearest rivals who scored 38 points each. Conditions were good for scoring with no rain but the course played long after the heavy rainfall on Friday. The winners, Gerard Magee and his guest, Paul Lawlor, scored 23 points for the first nine holes and added a further 17 points on the last seven holes. The runners-up also scored 23 points on their first nine holes but could only manage a further 15 points on their homeward journey. This was sufficient to beat the third pairing on a countback.

Results Winter Series

Winners

Shay Quinn (14) (The Heritage)

James Farrell (7) (Kilkenny)

Lar Ryan (8) (Rathdowney) 78 points

Member/Guest Fourball Stableford

Winners
Gerard Magee (18)
Paul Lawlor (8) 40 points

Second
Sean O’Neill (14)
Liam Duggan (12) 38 points

Third
Alan Hearn (9)
Maurice Neligan (11) 38 points

The final lap of the “Lexus Race to Mount Juliet” was decided last Sunday when Barrie Trainor clinched the title over 36 holes in Mount Juliet. Barrie, who was a former Senior Cup player with his home club, Warrenpoint, had rounds of 68 and 70 for a total of 6 under par to win by four strokes from his playing partner on Sunday, Brendan McGovern and by winning the final he just pipped last year’s winner, David Higgins, for the Order of Merit title as well. Barrie collected €4,000 for winning in Mount Juliet and he collected a further €10,000 for the Order of Merit title.

He beat a select field of his professional compatriots to end his year on top of the pile. This is his sixth year as a professional, having won the Irish Amateur Championship and the PGA Ulster Championship, on the way to the biggest win of his career so far. Both Trainor and McGovern led the field on Saturday after they both had recorded rounds of four under par, 68’s, over the blue championship course. Trainor started his round with eight straight pars on Sunday before he birdied the par four 9th. He dropped two shots on the 11th and 12th before he finished his round with three further birdies on the 13th, 14th and 17th holes for a two under round of 70 shots. In the meantime, McGovern, who lost a ball on the 4th and try as he might could not catch Trainor to finish his round with a 74 which was two over par and this was enough to earn him second place on Sunday. Jimmy Bolger, Kilkenny, finished joint third with David Higgins on Sunday for a good week-end.

The Pro-Am on Friday was contested by 33 teams of four comprising of a professional and three amateur golfers. This event was won by a team led by Old Conna professional, Donal Gleeson, who beat the Jimmy Bolger led team on a countback. Both teams having scored 95 points and were 3 shots clear of the team led by Greenore professional, Robert Giles. The evening concluded with a dinner and presentation of prizes in Kendals Restaurant with some lively and funny entertainment from Barry Murphy of Apres Match fame.

On the amateur scene last week there were two competitions played and the first one was the opening round of the popular Winter Series. This proved to be benefit for some members of Thurles Golf Club as they won the first two prizes. The winners had a great score of 99 points and they had 5 shots to spare from their fellow club members.

The last of the Ladies Invitation Days was held on Wednesday and the format was a Three Person Rumble. This proved to be a successful outing for the team led by Brona Reidy who had a convincing win with 71 points. Brona’s partners were Edel Banim (11) from Woodbrook G.C. and Maeve O’Reilly (12) from Powerscourt G.C.

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Results Winter Series 4 Person Team Event

Winners

Pat Stakelum (18) Thurles G.C.

Pat McEvoy (13)

John Nevin (15)

John McGrath (15) 99points

Second

Jack O’Keeffe (15) Thurles G.C.

V. O’Keeffe (17)

Eamon O’Kennedy (12)

David O’Kennedy (13) 94 points

Results Pro-Am Friday 14th October

Winners

Donal Gleeson, Old Conna

Hugh O’Connor (6)

Helen Hedigan (20)

Geraldine Forde (32) 95 points

Second

Jimmy Bolger, Kilkenny

Bill Connolly (16)

P.J. Butler (15)

Billy Fanning (14) 95 points

Third

Robert Giles, Greenore

Alan Hoyne (7)

Mark Adamson (10)

Gary Stewart (6) 92 points

The Grand Final of the Winter Series was played last week and this proved to be a triumph for popular racing commentator, Des Scahill, as he returned a fine score of 38 points over the 18 holes. Play was off the white tees and although the earlier rounds of the series were played as a 4 person team event, the final as usual, was an 18 holes singles competition for all qualifiers. Des played consistent golf in the final and had a shot to spare over his fellow club member, Shay Quinn, with Joby Kelly from Ballinasloe in third place. Des won a nice stay for two people in Mount Juliet House for his endeavours. The S.S. for the day was 36 points.

Also last week saw the first monthly competition for lady members and their guests. The format for the day was a 3 person scramble and there was a full timesheet for the competition. The team led by Vice Captain, Ruth Mulholland, won by a shot from Brona Reidy’s team of ladies with Myra Phelan’s team a further shot back in third place. The winning team finished a commendable two under par gross.

Last Sunday there was a 4 person team event for members and their guests and because of so many other sporting activities down for decision there was a smaller than usual entry. This did not deter the O’Connor family from spread-eagling the field with an impressive score of 95 points. This was a real family triumph for Padraic and Helen as they were joined by their sons Hugh and John to return the winning score. Some notable features of their round was when Hugh and Helen both birdied the 6th for a total of 8 points. Hugh then had the unique experience of driving his tee shot out of bounds at the long 10th and scoring an eagle 3 with his provisional ball which secured a further 3 points for the team.

Results Winter Series

Winner Des Scahill (9) (The Heritage) 38 points

Second Shay Quinn (17) (The Heritage) 37 points

Third Joby Kelly (14) (Ballinasloe) 35 points

Results April Ladies Invitation Scramble

Winners

Ruth Mulholland (11)

Eileen Duggan (16) (Kilkenny)

Catherine Leddy (15) (Curragh) 66.8

Second

Brona Reidy (13)

Maeve O’Reilly (14) (Powerscourt)

Pauline McEnery (34) (Gowran Park) 67.9

Third

Myra Phelan (23)

Helen Cosgrove (15) (Milltown)

Liz Hurley (22) (Charlesland) 69