11th April 2011: Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup & Erry Open Strokeplay Results

Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup 2011
The annual Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup, an early highlight on this season's Pitch & Putt calendar, took place on Sunday last, April 3rd, and was proudly hosted by the Tullamore Pitch & Putt Club. It ran very smoothly under the watchful eyes of the Co. Board and hosting Club officers, and saw a very supportive group of 126 players take part. Players travelled from Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Westmeath, Tipperary, Limerick and Longford to take part alongside a large local contingent of Offaly players. The playoff saw local favourite Anthony Galvin lead the way closely challenge by playing partner Ian Dillon of Kildare who was only 2 shots behind. In the end the title was tustled for between the last pairing who both gave a great display of the game from pitching to chipping and putting. However, it was Galvin's squandered chances early in the playoff which opened the door to a surprising challenge by Dillon. The challenge really took form when Galvin three putted the eight green and Dillon chipped in for a birdie and followed this up with another chipped in birdie at the ninth hole. The shots were exchanged throughout the final nine holes and with Galvin just holding a one shot lead pitching the final hole it fell to Dillon to hold out for a birdie to force a playoff, which he duly obliged. An exciting three-hole playoff ensued. Both players pitched close to the first hole and held their putts for birdies, which was followed up by pars at the second. Both players had long birdie chances across the third hole, Galvin missed his effort and stood aside to watch his counterpart hold out to claim the 2011 title. It was a very exiting end to the day's play and it was indeed an enjoyable treat for those who stayed on to watch the playoff. Congratulations to all the prize winners on the day and many thanks to all those who supported the event, it was greatly appreciated by the Offaly Co. Board.
The list of all the winners is as follows:

Overall Winner: -19 Ian Dillon (St. Bridget's)
Runner-Up: -19 Anthony Galvin (Tullamore)
Third: -16 Joseph Pyke (Tullamore)
Last 18: -5 Sean Goggins (Cement)
Inter Winner: -3 C. Larkin (Stackallen)
Junior Winner: -4 T. Crowe (Riverdale)
Ladies 0-6: -7 Margaret Hogan (Tullamore)
Ladies 7-18: +7 Denise Pyke (Tullamore)

Erry Open Strokeplay
The Erry Pitch & Putt Club's annual Open Strokeplay took part over the weekend in perfect playing conditions both in playing and weather terms. The Club had the course in great condition and recorded one of the largest crowds in recent years. The Club would like to thank all those who supported and congratulations to all the winners of the Open who were presented their prizes on Sunday evening by the event sponsor, Barry Cowen T.D. They were as follows:

Gents Senior 36 Nett: 85 Joseph McGrath Jnr. (Erry)
Gents Senior 36 Gross: 93 Patsy Reams (Ferbane)
Gents Senior 18 Nett: 42 Edward Fleming (Erry)
Gents Inter 36 Nett: 82 Johnny Scully (Erry)
Gents Inter 36 Gross: 94 Aongus Coughlan (Ferbane)
Gents Inter 18 Nett: 42 Mick Devery (Erry)
Gents Junior 36 Nett: 77 M. Donegan (Kilbeggan)
Gents Junior 36 Gross: 95 Michael Mullen (Erry)
Gents Junior 18 Nett: 37 W. Pendergrass (Custume)
Ladies 36 Nett: 91 M. McKenna (Ferbane)
Ladies 36 Gross: 98 Margaret Hogan (Tullamore)
Ladies 18 Nett: 45 Linda Flanagan (Erry)