Five Titles for the Dubs at National Over 55 Championships

It has been a memorable weekend for Dublin players at the All Ireland over 55 championships in Old County. The Kimmage Club hosted a stunning championship in their 1st ever national title with the marquee pitch & putt matching the marquees erected at the back of their 18th green. Their course was full of stewards and volunteers and scoreboards were placed around the course for players & spectators to keep up to date with the action. On the course the Dublin players prospered as we walked away with no less than 5 titles and a host of podium finishes. In the ladies championships on Saturday. RGSC Captain Ger Holland claimed the top prize with some champagne pitch & putt, she was the only player to break par on route to an excellent 109 on a very testing course, she came from down the field to bypass the holder Margaret Hogan and win her 1st National singles title. There was more good news with CYMC’s Ger Edwards finishing in third spot after a fine display.
The Inter event belonged to the host club with Agnes Redmond like Ger Holland recovering from a slow start to roar back and edge out Riverdale’s Margaret Forde. Agnes victory was well received by the home club and she was a very worthy winner. The Munster lady had lead by 5 shots after 18 holes.
The Junior championship again saw more Dublin success with the likeable Catherine Fox winning the title for Glenville. Catherine led from the front and despite some pressure over the closing holes completed the victory and in turn delivered a hat-trick of ladies titles for Dublin.
On Sunday the Dubs were chasing more success and it duly arrived. Another sunny day greeted the players and there was some hot scoring too. In the Juniors Ed Janssen from Netherlands via Glenville recovered superbly from a slow start to edge out another Dub Alan Doyle from CPM for 3rd spot. The win went to Ryston with Aidan Whelan finishing on -1.
The Inter event though saw the Dubs come to the fore. Albert Mithen and Anto Carroll were well placed after 18, but Al suffered his troubles on round 2 to drop out on contention. Anto though stayed at the head of affairs and his score of 102 was enough for a three shot success. Well done to Anto on his fabulous victory. There was hard luck for Glenville’s Emmett Donnelly as he missed out on a top 3 finish after three players finished tied on -3.
The Senior event was terrific to watch an we expected the likes of Pat Kelly, Kevin Bermingham and Anthony Malone to challenge strongly. All three were well in the mix after round 1 and so was Charlie Egan. Frank Ryan led the way. In Round 2 Kevin failed to find the birdies but the other trio were at the head of affairs in the closing holes. Charlie Egan posted the leading score on -12 and it was up to DCB Chairman Anthony Malone to catch him and he duly pulled it off with a stunning pitch at the last and he won with a superb -13.  That gave Anthony two National titles in three years and completed an outstanding sequence of success for Dublin players over the 2 days. Anthony had recovered so well as he almost missed his tee time just getting to the tee box in the nick of time, but he showed great composure in the heat of battle. Well done to Charlie Egan on a superb showing as well. The Holder Wally Sheridan was third.
A memorable end to a stunning championship. Old County delivered a great show off the course coupled with the Dubs success on the course made it a championship to remember. Well done to Ger, Agnes, Catherine, Anto & Anthony on their wins.
The Final national championship of the season takes the players to Collins in Cork for the Mixed Foursomes next weekend and a number of Dublin Couples in action here.