Pitch & Putt IrelandRose McCormack (RIP)
A tribute by John Manning
Funeral Notice HERE
The Pitch and Putt community is mourning the passing of Rose McCormack, R.I.P., one of the all-time great lady players.
A skilled left-hander, Rose’s proudest day on a Pitch and Putt course probably came at Wateford Crystal in 1996 when she was crowned National Matchplay champion, avenging two previous defeats in finals (in 1986 and 1990).
A player of enduring quality and experience, Rose captured the Leinster Strokeplay championships of 1974, 1988 and 1991.
Rose completed the Leinster Strokeplay/Matchplay double in 1988 having previously lifted the Matchplay Cup in 1984.
She was also runner-up on three occasions in the provincial Strokeplay, in 1978, 1979 and 1985 and also reached the 1986 Leinster Matchplay final.
A multiple Westmeath County Strokeplay and Matchplay champion through the years between the seventies and the noughties, Rose helped KIlbeggan to the 1985 Leinster Inter-Club title at Tullamore.
A cheerful personality but a steely competitor, Rose finished third in the All Ireland Ladies Strokeplay championships of 1990 and 1999.
An inspirational figure to many, Rose frequently captained the Westmeath ladies inter-county team, leading the ladies in maroon to National Inter-County glory at Waterford Glass in 1979 and at Hillview two years later.
Rose was joined in those successes by the likes of Dinah Carton, Ann Whelan, Marie Rooney and Carmel Cunningham. Westmeath were to be runners-up four times in the National Inter-County between 1982 and 1987 as Rose continued to encourage colleagues such as Teresa McCormack, Hilary Kenny, Kathleen Bray, Eleanor Gillic and Carmel Connolly.
Rose’s 99 at Irish Ropes in 1985 captured the Best Individual Gross award at the Inter-County championship.
Rose marked 30 years of continuous representation on the Westmeath Inter-County side by participating in the Lake County’s 2001 Leinster Inter-County runner-up campaign.
Rose teamed-up to tremendous effect with her late husband Jack McCormack in pairs events. Jack and Rose clinched the National Mixed Foursomes on two occasions – in 1985 and 1990. Their score of +20 at St. Loman’s (Mullingar) in the 1985 tournament remains the all-time record winning aggregate in the 50 year history of the event.
Jack and Rose also finished second in the 1987 National Mixed Foursomes and captured the Best Gross on three occasions, in 1980, 1982 and 1988.
Rose’s entire family were steeped in Pitch and Putt and were all overjoyed when 1985 National Strokeplay champion and 1980s Irish international Jack was inducted into Pitch and Putt’s Hall of Fame in 1998.
Jack and Rose also hugely enjoyed the social side of Pitch and Putt.
Blessed with a mischievous sense of humour, Rose was a very popular playing partner and fellow competitor as she traversed the country, contesting all of the major opens and Scratch Cups.
A staunch supporter of tournaments across the midlands and beyond, Rose’s name topped many leaderboards in those events and habitually featured on prize winner lists.
Rose played some Pitch and Putt in Tullamore before switching to Kilbeggan and she was a pillar of the latter club for decades.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Rose’s family and many friends.
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