The scoring in Saturday’s Intermediate Championship could be quite exceptional. I don’t for one second believe we’ll see the kind of scoring that propelled Stephen Shoer to the title in Tullamore, but the talent that will amble to the first tee-box shortly before noon has the artillery in the trunk to fire large scores.

Again, there appears to be little to be happy about from a Leinster perspective, but there are  a handful of players that definitely can shoot low enough to worry the locals, and crucially, they are experienced too, so the big stage won’t trouble them. There are a couple more that could make the top 12 playoff too, but plenty of time to worry about that.

All the talk is of the Cork players, and one or two of the other Munster players, but I’ll start with my own province of Leinster. It is interesting that on the surface at least, Lough Owel’s Dessie Baker is the prime challenger, because he is first out onto the course. That might suit everyone, again the early start means the course will not have cut up too much, and there is no pressure to worry about what others are doing.
Baker has been a revelation this year, his exploits well documented on this website, and he was fiercely unlucky in the Leinster Strokeplay where the ball just didn’t roll the right way on the way home when the title appeared his for the taking. Usually he garners a decent following from the Club, as do all Lough Owel players, so Rocklodge could get quite noisy very quickly if things start going to plan for him. He should definitely be in the shake-up for a medal.

David Newman from Erry is another very good player to break through from the Clara club, an excellent golfer in the making it seems too, so who knows how much of him we’ll get to see in the future (I can’t think of any other golfer that’s done well from Clara?). I’m not sure he’ll contend for a medal, but I would expect last year’s Leinster Junior Strokeplay Champion to be close to the playoff places.

Mick McMarlow had great form coming into the Leinster on his home course of Ryston but just couldn’t cope with the outrageous scoring by the prize-winners and a few others. That would suggest to me that a playoff spot might be beyond him on Saturday, but a score close to the magic figure of 100 is attainable. Whether that is close to good enough is another question.

Christy Broe is a ropey Inter! Most people would know Christy as a top-level administrator, but before that he was an excellent Pitch and Putt player, and was the holder of the Dublin Strokeplay when it was as hard to win as a National Strokeplay. Those days may be passed, and Broe might be enjoying some downtime with the grandkids but I’d be sure that he’s still a fierce competitor. A very accurate pitcher with plenty of stop, the conditions might actually be ideal for the Wicklow man. I wouldn’t rule him out of the playoff, that’s for sure. While I’m at it, Christy isn’t the only former senior in this grade of a particular vintage. Andy Dempsey has taken the step down (reddened by it I believe too!) when the grade restructuring carried him into bandit territory. Still more than capable of shooting a good score, he gets a mention but will be hard pushed to qualify I feel.

Charlie Egan has promised a lot this decade, work commitments having a bearing on his capacity to play consistently at a high level. A nice complaint to have I guess! He’s been unlucky at big championships on a couple of occasions now, and I would hazard a guess that he’s going to produce a performance of substance again soon enough. I would love to think he could do that in Cork, and the pitch shots will be no obstacle to him, with Erin’s Isle having a great variety to practice on; Might be on the fringe of a play-off spot.

That just leaves one more Leinster player that might feature, and he’s good: Channonrock’s Brendan Lawlor.
This guy is known by plenty and has built up a decent rivalry with a lot of the young Munster players, so they will know what to expect from him. I can see him shooting a good score in a sodden Rocklodge, but I would worry about the stamina. He will surely break 100, and if he could get a decent feel for the course he’ll post a good score. A contender for a medal I think, but might have to be satisfied with top 5.

So as you can see, slim pickings there for Leinster. I’ll move on to the Munster players, who I received some advice on, and I’ll leave the Cork lads to last, as they’re the main contenders in the Intermediate Championship.

Michael Darcy from Bruff has plenty of ability in him, and I’m sure striking a small dimpled golf ball around the side of a hill is far more appealing than getting pounded by overweight behemoths week-in, week-out. He obviously is a multi-skilled athlete, but all we are concerned about is how well he can play pitch and putt, and the answer is, quite. Leader by two shots in Cashel a fortnight ago, his second round score left a lot to be desired and ultimately cost him a medal. Has the nous to be able to produce good rounds, he will have an eye definitely on making the final 12.

I’ve received two reports, independent of each other that Johnny Martin of the Hills is the Tipperary player to keep an eye out for this Saturday. Excellent on his home scr cup recently, his lack of experience of Rocklodge might hurt him, but then again, he’ll have no scars to bear from the place either!

The three Kerry players come into this competition with differing expectations, different experiences, and different abilities. Michael Foley of the Deerpark, Killarney club has returned to the game competitively this year after an absence of about eight years. He would be well known in Munster from his time as a member of the Kerry Juvenile Inter-County team, where they won the National title in ESB a decade ago. Devotes much of his time to administration with club and county he is gradually improving and could benefit from a lack of major expectation.

Tralee’s Martin Hobbert has had a few inconsistent years since four years ago when he was the big local favourite for the 2009 edition on home turf. His victory in the County Intermediate Matchplay Final over Gavin Carroll back in May was a big sign of a recovery of form however and he proved it the following month when he duly qualified for the on home turf. He won’t have to contend with the same pressure on him like there was four years ago and wouldn’t bet against him featuring if he finds form.

The one considered to be the best prospect of shining from the Kingdom is another Tralee man, Gavin Carroll. I didn’t realise until reading the drawsheet that he is an inter – I assumed he was a Senior player – and he certainly is a player who has benefited from the grade restructuring. He was the only Kerry player to win in the National Matchplay in Lucan before he succumbed to Keith Redmond and the fact that he has secured a place on the Gents Inter-County team will boost his confidence no end. His progress has been steady over the last three or four years and could have a major chance with the experience he has picked up from Lucan.

The Kerry guys all seem to have a great connection, across the grades, and it probably helps that so many of them are of a particular age, a testament to the enduring work done underage in the few clubs there.

I’ve narrowed down the field to leave the Cork qualifiers last for analysis. From speaking to an excellent judge of the grades from Leeside, we’ve come to the conclusion that roughly 9 Cork players have a great chance of featuring in the last round, and probably half again with realistic eyes of a prize.

Daniel Keohane from Fermoy won the Cork Strokeplay on his own course a few weeks ago with a great total of 96. “Scrawny” as he is affectionately known would have high hopes of doing well and has the game suited for Rocklodge in the firm, due to his great ability to spin the ball... However as I can prove testament to, that skill becomes a hindrance in the wet, and given the dampness that has settled into Southern Ireland this past 48 hours, Keohane will need to come up with a plan B should he remain a contender.

An outsider for a playoff spot perhaps is Patrick Herbert from Collins. A regular qualifier for the nationals, on his day he can score very well especially if he gets his putting going. Pat would be hopeful of making the playoff. The Collins club has a huge representation throughout the weekend, and surely they will feature in the Inter’s too?

Scott Garde from Claycastle is one of the most improved Inters in Cork. Scott has benefited from spending a lot of time with Paudie and Gary O’Sullivan who have shown Scott the way forward to improving his game. Scott will have expectations of doing very well this weekend.

Colin O’Sullivan from Douglas won the National Junior Strokeplay in Douglas in 2011 and he has really matured this year in the Inter grade. Colin put in fine performances at the recent Cork and Munster Strokeplay and if O’Sullivan can play to his ability, then he stands with a very good chance of a podium spot this weekend. Colin can be considered a definite to make the play-off on Saturday.

Let us look to a couple of the outsiders to consider first before we look at the heavies. James McKeon from St. Anne’s is another of the Intermediate old guard. James on his day is as good as any Inter around. James is an associate member of Rocklodge and came 2nd in the Munster strokeplay in Rocklodge last year. James will be at least expecting to make the final 18 and then take it from there; a definite dark horse for a medal.
Another of the aforementioned Collins contingent, Frank O’Brien is one of the 3 handicappers who are back on the Inter scene. Frank is an impressive player and won the Rocklodge Inter scratch cup a few months ago. Like McKeon this guy is a dark horse and one to watch out for on Saturday. Mark Crean the ciotog from Douglas displayed all his steeliness and resolve as he secured the winning points in the last singles games of both the semi-finals and finals of the Cork Leagues to help Douglas to the title early in the season. Mark can score well and will be hopeful of impressing this weekend, with a playoff position a real possibility. The final player to consider for a playoff spot is Ryan Sexton from Fermoy is another Juvenile player of high quality. Ryan is capable of performing very well in Rocklodge and could make the final 18

A question the St Anne’s members will be asking, not to mention the player himself, is will Daniel Long have the reserves to go one step better from his runner-up place in this Championship in Douglas two years ago? Long has not played his best yet this year but on his day is a fantastic pitcher of the ball. If Daniel gets his putter working then he can have another good day in Rocklodge. The fairness of the Rocklodge’ greens could be to his advantage.

Slight favourite for the competition, in our mind, is Pfizer’s Chris McCarthy. One of the high seniors that returned to the Inter scene, Chris has been impressive all year especially at the Pfizer’s scratch cup where his winning Inter total was better than the senior winning score. Chris also has previous form in Rocklodge so he should be a contender for top honours this weekend.
Prediction:

I’ve offered to take on board outside tips for my prediction – a first. But I’ve reserved the right to interfere, such is my wont, and interfere I shall, even if I agree with the choice of victor. Arise Sir Chris of Pfizer!
Final 12: Brendan Lawlor; Gavin Carroll, Daniel Long; Colin O’Sullivan; Daniel Keohane; Michael Darcy; Brendan Lawlor
Oooh! Close! : James McKeon; Scott Garde
Medals:
Bronze: Dessie Baker (Lough Owel)
Silver: Frank O’Brien
Gold: Chris McCarthy

(with thanks again to the usual suspects.)