National Gents Strokeplay

Prevous and only time over 72 holes

National Gents Strokeplay image

The National Gents Strokeplay has only once before been played over 72 holes. That was in 1961 in Athgarvan. Let's take a look back.

Athgarvan Pitch and Putt players were well to the fore in the national championships over their club course.

While the winner of the senior strokeplay title was Portmarnock’s Bernard Rogers, the victor had only a single stroke to spare from John Redmond (Athgarvan) who returned a fine 212 for the 72 holes.  Another local player to finish well up was Sean Byrne (Athgarvan) who tied for third place on 212.

There was an original entry of 226 for the championships and of these 60 qualifiers played in the final stages on Sunday.  Play continued from early morning until near darkness and the entire stewardship, marking, scorekeeping etc. was done by members of the local club.  The entire championship, which included junior and novice was organised by the County Board who are to be congratulated on the success of the first ever national championships held on the Athgarvan course.

Clonmel Pitch and Putt players paid a most successful visit to the All-Ireland Strokeplay championships at Athgarvan, Co. Kildare when two of the Hillview club’s members took home national titles.

The competition was played in three sections – senior, junior and novice.  Winner of the junior section (which equates to the modern intermediate grade) was Noel Wall with 214 while young Jimmy Browne of Ard na Greine won the novice section on 221.  Another Hillview man Niall O’Neill took second place in the novice (now junior) section and secured a prize for the best Nett of the day.  Apart from these successes, Hillview members Con Moloney and Tom Whelan took third places in the junior and novice championships respectively.

The Hillview seniors acquitted themselves well and Eoin Morrissey and Liam Daly were not far behind the eventual winner.

Twenty-four battled for the senior title; twenty-six were seeking the junior title and ten qualified in the novice event.

Seventeen clubs and seven counties were represented.

Draw: (included three future National Presidents, Eamonn Birchall, Frank Smith and Paddy Harkins)

2.00 and 5.15: J. Redmond (Athgarvan) and R. Kane (Portmarnock); P. Wall (Hillview) and L. Rogcrs (Portmarnock); E. Byrne (Athgarvan) and C. Morris (Portmarnock); E. Morris (Hillvicw) and B. Moore (Portmarnock); J. Barry (Lumville) and B. Rogcrs (Portmarnock); L. Daly (Hillview) and M. Christie (Shandon); S. Byrne (Athgarvan) and R. Birchall (Shandon); D. Goff (Clarke) and F. Canavan (Shandon); B. Wall (Hillview) and A. Parkinson (Shandon); R. Byrnes (Athgarvan) and M. Morris (Portmarnock); C. Moloney (Hillview) and T. Henry (Portmarnock); D. Farrell (Curragh) and P. Kealy (Portmarnock); N. Wall (Hillview) and A. Coldrick (Shandon); N. Cunningham (Clarke) and F. Smith (Glenanne); J. Roche (Athgarvan) and P. Reilly (Portmarnock).

3.55 and 7.15: M. Reck (St. James's Gate) and M. Crowley (Rocklodge); F. Maher (Glenvillc) and E. P. Ahern (Douglas); T. O'Donoghue (Glenanne) and J. Kavanagh (Ballincollig); P. Gorman (Seapoint) and T. Reardon (Rocklodge); T. J. O'Riordan (Rocklodge) and J. Kelleher (Douglas); T. Ruby (Rocklodge) and T. Byrne (St. James's Gate); J Ahern (Douglas), and J. Byrnc (Glcnville); D. J. O'Halloran (Rocklodge) and K. Robinson (Ierne); J. Edwards (Douglas) and M. Doherty (Athboy); F. McGinty (Ierne) and M. Coleman (Athboy); P. Harkins (Glenville) and J. Dolan (Seapoint); M. O’Neill (Hillview) and  J. McDonald (Kentstown); J. Browne (Hillview) and J. Kelly (Kentstown); T. Morris (Hillview) and E. McConnan (Shandon); T. Whelan (Hillview) and J. Maher (Glenville).