Pitch & Putt IrelandLDM Regional Board Strokeplay 2014
Redmond takes coveted Terry Hanratty Memorial Cup
The 2014 Louth Down Monaghan (LDM) Regional Board Strokeplay got underway in Mac Bride Pitch & Putt Club today, and with the coarse in superb conditions along with excellent weather it was set up for a great day of Pitch & Putt.
The Juniors led the way at 9.30am and fittingly the first two players to hit a ball, Barry Dyas (Mac Bride) & Brendan Walker (Cement) were to set the pace for the rest of the field. Barry produced an amazing 48 in his first to be four clear of Brendan at the half way mark who posted a 52 and with 2 holes to play it looked to be over as Barry way -7 with Brendan on -5 but it wasnt to be Barry found sand on the 17th and took a five to drop two shots. Second round scores were Barry Dyas 55 & Brendan Walker 51 to force a play off when both men finished five under par. The play off say Dyas get off to a flying start birdying 3 out of the first four and Brendan unable to catch a break, however Dyas opened the door on the 6th when he bogeyed but Walker couldnt capitalise, by the 9th hole Barry Dyas(Mac Bride) was -2 to beat Brendan Walker of (Cement) who was level by two shots to be crowned 2014 LDM Junior Champion.
Next up was the Inters which proved to be just as exciting. Peter Woods (Mac Bride) was the early leader after the first round with alot of players close behind, Gerry Breen Jnr (Seapoint) 49, Alan Cluskey (Cement) 48 & Keith Smyth (Mac Bride) 47 were all on his tail. It seemed all was to play for on round two and these were the players to beat, Gerry followed up his 49 with an outstanding 47 to finish on -12 and the clubhouse lead until Peter Woods done what was required with a second round 49 to push Gerry into second totaling -13, next was Alan who unfortunately couldnt better his first card, when he posted a second round 49 to finish -11. The last in off the course was Keith Smyth who was -13 playing the last when he pitched pin high left of the flag leaving a 10ft put which held to finish -14 and with the last shot in the grade take the Intermediate title for 2014 one stroke ahead of Peter Woods.
Next up was the Ladies, and in Two Grades with a strong field in both sections this was going to be tough to call. I dont know whats in the Termonfeckin water but ''I want some'' with all four prizes being won by Seapoint representatives. Grade A saw Noelene Bedford produce a solid five under par performance to beat clubmate who is in some serious form of late Christine Carrol. If Grade A was anything to go by Grade B would be no let down and that was true when Valerie Barron carder 100 (-8) to beat the wonderful Bridie Hanratty by a couple of shots
The ultimate event of the day was the Senior Gents and with all eyes on the big names such as Goggins, Donnelly, Beardsley & Campbell, just some previous winners of note and to follow from their performances of the week before in the host clubs Scratch Cup surely it was going to be a thrilling event.
From the off this was going to be exciting as straight away it was Channonrocks Brendan Lawlow who set the pace with a 45 opening round, only to be followed by clubmate and best frien Shane Redmond with an outstanding 43 the best opening round of the grade. It wasn’t going to be a walk in the park as close behind was Brian Mc Ginn(Seapoint) 45, George Beardsley 46, John Campbell Jnr 47, Sean Goggin 46, Ian Donnelly 45 (Cement), Owen Smith (Mac Bride) 48. Just like the first round Lawlor didn’t faulter when he doe 46 in the second to card a 17 under par total a very respectable target for everyone else. With the rest of the field unable to catch Brendan Lawlors lead with names such as Mc Ginn finishing -16, Donnelly -14, Beardsley -11 & Goggin -15 all eyes were on the youngster Shane Redmond, and being the star that he is didn’t faulter. If there ever was a definition of a good front runner it has to be Sane Redmond because to follow the 43 he went on to chip in on the 36th to card a second round 42 and total an amazing 23 under par and lift the Terry Hanratty Memorial Cup and be crowned 2014 Gents Senior Strokeplay Champion. In the final group Mac Brides Owen Smith carded a 43 to total -17 to take Runner Up on virtue of a count back as the 1,2 was looking on the card from the Channonrock men.
In their closing speech both Chairperson of the LDM Regional Board & Champion Shane Redmond thanks the host club Mac Bride & its grounds staff for their course in excellent conditions and both Keith Smyth & his partner Sarah for the hospitality I the kitchen with a fine spread of refreshments. Also to Cements Colin Campbell who was the photographer on the day.
Next event is the LDM Matchplay finals which are also in Mac Bride on 28th & 29th June. Congratulations to all the winners.
Keith Smyth (Article)
Colin Campbell (Pictures)
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