A hugely successful weekend for Dublin players in Leinster

It has been a busy weekend for Dublin Pitch & Putt with 6 Provincial titles and a Dublin U-16 title up for grabs.
On Saturday in Glenville, home player Luke Devlin put in a superb display especially in his first round 53 as he retained his U-16 Dublin Strokeplay title from Alex Keegan of Lucan who battled on to finish in 2nd spot just 3 behind. Oisin Horan also of the host club came in 3rd as the best of the girls was Lucan’s Eimear Aherne.
It though, was worrying to see such low entries and of course we encourage all clubs to try and bring the U-16’s section back up in numbers.
The Junior & Intermediate Gents took to the Bagenalstown course also on Saturday but their was to be no joy for our competitors.

Dublin Junior Strokeplay Champion Stephen Needham was once again the best of our Juniors as he returned in 6th spot as Kilbeggans Dean Revins took the title.
The Intermediates once again returned home empty handed as Iniskeens Michael Vaughan stole the show and title with some brilliant play. Lucan’s Tom McMorrow and Tom Judd of Portmarnock made the final play off but they were just edged out of the top 3 with 4th & 5th spot finishes respectively.
On Sunday, the early drizzle cleared in a beautifully prepared Gowran as the Ladies took center stage in the superb Kilkenny course and the sun was to shine bright for two well known Dubs.
Ger Ward once again showed her dominance as she stormed to another success completing a fantastic treble of County, Provincial and National titles all in the month of June. She would finish 5 shots clear of her nearest challenger Tara Dillon and her Ryston clubmate Chrissie Byrne back in 3rd. Lucan’s Philo Condron was 4th with RGSC’s Glenda Hoey in 5th.
Old County were next to celebrate as the ever popular Pauline Balfe put on a display she always threatened to deliver. A score that would have been good enough to place in the top 3 in the Senior Grade at -2 was Paulines finishing score as she took a two shot victory over Castletowns Yvonne Carney. A well deserved win for Pauline. Lucan’s Lady Captain Tracey Smith was just ran out of a top 3 spot by one stroke but a very good display by the Dublin ladies.
In the Junior Grade, hopes were high of a potential 3rd trophy coming back to the capital but it was not to be as local knowledge came out on top. Ina O’Donnell of the host club was pushed all the way by Catherine Fox of Glenville but the home favourite was to finish two shots better off and dashing any hope of a Dublin Ladies treble.

Still, a superb day once again for the Dublin Ladies in the Provincials taking two out of three titles.
The Senior Gents meanwhile were plying their trades across the border in Bagenalstown, Carlow once again and it turned out to be a fruitful afternoon for the Dublin contingent.

Loughlinstown’s JR Crangle led the Dublin charge going into the play offs lying just one shot behind the leaders.
He was to turn the screw early in the final round as he started with 5 straight birdies in a final round 44 to take the title by one stroke from St.Patricks Dean Grannell who also had the same final round. St.Pats also returned the 3rd spot with John Hudson just edging out a charging Junior Smith who would have to make do with 4th.

Dublin had an encouraging 5 players in the play offs with Anthony Malone, Gary Healy and George McGreal all finding themselves just too far back to challenge the but performed admirably.
Another fantastic weekend all round of top quality pitch & putt and 3 titles travelling back to Dublin. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the courses for their hospitality.