Successful hosting of the All Ireland Cups and Shields finals

Golf enthusiasts came from all over the country to the All Ireland Cups and Shields finals and went away with very happy memories of a great week's golf. All but none were singing the praises of the Tullamore course, the hospitality afforded to them and the organisation of the tournament. From the start of this year all the work was geared towards having the course in prime condition for mid-September and the comments by all, including the national media, are testament to the success of the years of work. Players and spectators were amazed at the quality of the course and the superb condition of the greens. Particular praise was afforded to the putting green which was the envy of many club officials and players. Below are three of the many quotes from the GUI website which had up-to-date scoring, courtesy of all our volunteers on the radios, and comments from viewers: "I have to say Tullamore golf course is in unreal condition... I was there yesterday.." "Just like to congratulate Tullamore on being wonderful hosts I am sure everybody will agree the course is brilliant" "Well done to Tullamore on an excellent course and the best and scariest greens I have ever been on". One of the players in the Senior Cup, who has been around for some time and has played for Ireland, was quoted in the national press as saying that Tullamore was the best prepared parkland course that he has ever played on. Need one say anymore? Great credit goes to the course staff, under course manager Mark Murphy, who brought the course to its peak for this week and to the various Greens' committees over the period. Money would not buy the publicity that Tullamore has received from hosting this event last week with many golfers and spectators promising to return. Tullamore can be very proud of the show it put on. A special word of thanks must go to the many volunteers who gave of their time to work in various areas to make this the success that it was. Thanks also to the Harriers who very generously allowed the use of their fantastic car parking facilities throughout the week. Thanks also to Ollie McLoughlin from Midland Hygiene Products for his assistance. Club Competition Matters got back to normal on Sunday when the singles competition sponsored by Hanlon Butchers was played. There was great scoring with 42 pts a very popular score with three players tied on this mark. John Dunne Jnr (12) had this score and on the count back was in 1st place. Second was Joe Cuskelly (15) and third went to Conor Ruane (3). Conor's score was exceptional in that he was three under gross and had five birdies over the 1st nine at 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. The gross went to Ronan O Grady with 37 pts. Ronan also won the Open day in New Forest last week with 38 pts. Events This weekend the J P Galvin Memorial Trophy is being played for and this competition is sponsored by Lily and Andy Galvin. The Opens on Mondays have resumed and will continue till mid-October. Inter Club Competitions There was disappointment again for Tullamore in the All Ireland Finals of the J B Carr competition when for the second year in a row Tullamore lost out at the final hurdle. The team was badly disrupted by the unavailability for different reasons of four players who had played in earlier rounds. This necessitated changes to tried and trusted pairings and was unsettling to what was regarded as a very settled team. The team had a great win against last year's winners on Saturday to take them into the final against Galway. On Sunday they could only manage one win against Galway coming from Johnny Flaherty and Tom Walsh. Hard luck lads, you did your best and you were great to get into the final. The Seniors team, which includes many of the J B Carr panel play Nenagh in the final in Birr on Friday next. All are asked to note that the match starts at 9.30am and not 11 as earlier stated. The team is Martin Lowry & Joe Eivers, Johnny Flaherty & Pat Corcoran, Denis Guinan & Michael Fox, John Hopkins & Billy Galvin, Eamon Buggy & Matt Flannelly, Christy Corroon & J J O Neill and Mick Dalton & Tom Walsh. Let's hope we have better luck on Friday and make it three in a row. Mixed Foursomes The final of the mixed foursomes between Joe and Kay Feely and Tom Martin and Una Marsden takes place on Saturday 26th at 2.30 pm. Junior Golf Martin Hynes defeated Shane Daly and Ted Nyhan defeated John Dunne Jnr and Martin and Ted now meet in the Junior match-play final.