GOLF | Hanratty wins Paddy Markey Cup
Eugene holds off Lynch with sub-70 round at Dundalk
Eugene Hanratty had to post a sub-70 round to claim the Paddy Markey Cup as a strong swirling wind ensured conditions were tough for the second Golfer of the Year competition of the season on Sunday last.
A very early tee-time and a strong start laid the foundations for the nine handicapper’s excellent round. After bogeying the first, he scored four at each of the next five holes which yielded a birdie, three pars and a bogey.
Another par followed at the par-five seventh and although he double-bogeyed the eighth he parred the ninth for an opening nine of 34 nett.
Another birdie followed at the par-five 10th which was followed by a par four at the 11th. There were further pars at the 14th, 16th and 17th and bogeys at 12th, 13th, 15th and 18th as he completed the back nine in 35 nett.
His early score survived the rest of the day with Paul Lynch (22) coming closest to threatening Hanratty but he came up short after posting a 70.
Len Mullins (16), another of the early starters, took the Veteran’s Prize after posting a 73. Peter Rogers (2) claimed the Gross Prize with a fine level par round of 72 while the category prizes were won by Clem Walshe (4), Kieran Arthurs (12) and Diarmuid McAdams (23). Iarlaith Carroll (19) with a 68 was the best of the juveniles.
Last Wednesday saw the return of the weekly open singles stableford competition which will run through the summer. Eamonn Hoey (16) with 39 was the first winner by two points from Richard Newell (2). A visitor, Conor McGleenon (11) from The Island, took Category One and Michael Carr (14) and Anthony Clarke (20) taking the other category prizes. Caolan Rafferty claimed the gross prize with an excellent 37.
Hoey went out in 20 points after having three three point holes on the front nine and he had two more three point holes on the back nine as he came home in 19.
Entries are now being taken for the Junior Scratch Cup on Sunday, May 14th. Please contact the Pro Shop on 042–9321731 for further details.
The club’s run in the All-Ireland Fourball competition has come to an end after the recent 4–1 defeat by Headfort.