Old County Pitch & Putt Club

It was finals night on Friday we saw five championships up for grabs and there was some great entertainment for those who came out to watch. The Ladies B section got us underway and little did we realise it would be the closest and tensest of them all. Even more so as Jen amassed a sizeable lead after 18 holes. She further extended that lead to 6up after 21 holes and we thought that was that, little did we realise Kathleen heart and a tremendous comeback not only did Kathleen claw it back but went 2 up with 2 to play, Fair play to Jenn who must have been devastated but she found the composure to fight back and forced the match to tie holes. It looked like Kathleen would win on the 1st as she had a 2 foot putt to win it, but to her anguish she missed it and Jenn with a fine up and down from the side of the second completed the job. A great win for Jenn to add to her Captains Prize last month, great effort and Jenn let the crowd know how relieved and worried she was as she accepted the trophy. 

The Gents Junior event saw holder Tony Byrne battle his league team mate Sean O'Shea and this was very tight from the off with rarely more than a hole in it. We thought this might go the distance but Tony used his greater experience to fine affect and won 3 & 2 for a terrific title defense and he paid tribute to Sean and said his day would come very soon. 

There was some good news in the O'Shea household. Conor & Gerry played some wonderful pitch & putt all week and despite not hitting the high standards of the previous nights, it was an absorbing match to watch, Conor got the lead and try as Gerry did he could not find the answer and Conor won 3 & 2. Like Tony Byrne he had defended the title won in 2018. He has matured so much in 12 months and was a very satsified figure at the presentation. He continue to grow and improve and was a worthy winner. 

In the ladies A match we saw Pauline and Vera fight it out, we thought it would be close and it was. A small stretch of holes at the turn was to prove the difference as Pauline went from all square to 3 up. Vera tried hard to bridge that gap but Pauline with her confidence from making the Dublin team was a fine front runner and Pauline was to complete the job on the 33rd, It was a great final and these two ladies are very well matched. WE look forward to them clashing again at the Strokeplay. 

The Gents Seniors saw two friends clash as Karl Murphy and Gary McGreal went head to head. Gary hit his 1st tee shot very big but even he could hardly believe what was to hit him as Karl started with nine birdies to lead by 5. He extended it to 8 and it was soon double figures. Poor Gary did not do himself justice but few would have lived with Karl on this form. He has grown and now knows he can win the majors in the club. It was a high class performance and his win on the 27th showed how far he has come after losing in 2018.  A superb performance and after wins over Kevin Bermingham and Tom O'Reilly, few could argue he did not deserve it. 

So the 3rd major is over. Well done to Jenn, Pauline, Tony, Conor & Karl. Thanks to Kevin for looking after the event. The Grounds staff had the course superb for the finals and the ladies ensured there was refreshments for players & supporters at the end. WEll done on an excellent week in the club 

Gents Senior Matchplay Draw

Gents Inter Matchplay Draw

Gents Junior Matchplay Draws

Ladies A Matchplay Draw

Ladies B Matchplay Championship

Ladies B Winner: Jenn McGreal

Ladies B Runner Up Kathleen Condron

Gents Junior Champion: Tony Byrne 

Gents Junior Runner up: Sean O'Shea

Gents Inter Champion: Conor O'Shea

Gents Inter Runner up: Gerry Clarges

Ladies A Runner up: Vera Glennon

Ladies A Winner: Pauline Balfe 

Gents Senior Runner up: Gary McGreal

Gents Senior Champion: Karl Murphy. 

Ladies and Gentlemen at the weekend we had our Officers Prize Major Competition. Thank you to everyone getting out there and supporting the competition. Thanks to our Officers who work so hard in the club and it was especially busy this weekend with our Captains Night on Saturday. 

There was some excellent scoring throughout the grades. The overall prize is the Pat O’Byrne trophy, a man who dedicated so much time to Old County and held the position of grounds chairman in his latter years. Pat would be delighted with the winner of his trophy this year, a man who, whenever the call goes out for helping hands on the grounds is always there to roll up his sleeves and help out. With 2 excellent rounds of pitch and putt, one in particular, Shane Lowry would be proud off, rounds of 44 and 52 gross off a handicap of 7, with an 82 nett, Ladies and Gentlemen the Officers Prize Pat O’Byrne Old County Champion for 2019 is Tom Balfe. Congratulations Tom on a well deserved win.

Congratulations to all the winners in the grade prizes, particular mention to Brian Birrell winning the gents junior prize with 83 nett, great to see Brian in the winners enclosure with a super score. Also to Kevin Bermingham shooting a fantastic 42 for 18 holes and Patrick Charles with a 40 Nett. Full list of winners is available by clicking on the link below . Congratulations to all. We will announced presentation date later this week.

Officers Prize Results 2019

Pauline Balfe & Tom o'Reilly certainly made hay during the Captains Prize and Tom Doyle / Ann Keane and their points tally has seen then surge ahead at the top of the race. Both have handsome leads but with the Officers Prize and Club Matchplay just around the corner. They know things can change quickly. Vera Glennon and Joe Byrne are their closest challengers, but behind them the race is very close. see the full standings below. 

Players of the Year 2019

The 2nd of the Tier II events took place after Stephen Power won the 1st and in perfect weather and with the course playing firm but very fair the scoring was very hot as is regularly the case. Two names are starting to appear regularly at the head of events and when the updated POTY tables are announced they will be well out in  front. It is Tom o'Reilly and Pauline Balfe. 

Tom celebrated his engagement last weekend but he did not take his eye off the ball and shot a stunning 88 G to win it back after Karl Murphy won in 2018. Karl put in a great defense and with 89 just missed out on retaining it. Stephen Power won the 2nd 36 Gross and Andy Lowe is back in the winners circle after an excellent 45. In the Inters Anthony Parsons was late getting started and he has found his form posting 100. Gerry Clarges our secretary took the 2nd 36 Gross with 104 and the 18 Gross was won by Luke Birrell, welcome back Luke, great to see him back and he too has not taken long to find his form. 

In the Juniors Joe Byrne has been a regular winner this season and he was back on the leaderboard on Sunday as well. Michael Quinn fresh from his win at the CAptains is back on the podium  and lovely see Noel Daly winning the 18 GRoss. 

Behind Pauline Balfe who took the Anne Keane Cup was Vera Glennon, Laura Whelan and Agnes Redmond  and in the B section, it was Lucy Quinn, Angela Smith and Vera Moore. 

Well done to all the winners below. 

Overall: Tom O’Reilly -  88G

Gents Senior 36 Gross (1) – Karl Murphy 89

Gents Senior 36 Gross (2) – Stephen Power 91 (o.b.9)

Gents Senior 18 Gross -  Andy Lowe 45

Gents Inter  36 Gross (1) – Anthony Parsons 100

Gents Inter 36 Gross (2) –  Gerry Clarges 104

Gents inter 18 Gross -   Luke Birrell – 49

Gents Junior 36 Gross (1) – Joe Byrne  116

Gents Junior 36 Gross (2) –  Michael Quinn  122 (o.b.9)

Gents Junior 18 Gross -   Noel Daly – 57

Ladies Overall: Pauline  Balfe -  93N

Ladies A 36 Gross (1) – Vera Glennon 113

Ladies A 36 Gross (2) –  Laura Whelan 116

Ladies A 18 Gross -  Agnes Redmond 57

Ladies B 36 Gross (1) – Lucy Quinn 128

Ladies B 36 Gross (2) – Angela Smith 133

Ladies B 18 Gross -  Vera Moore 63