| |
|
|
Home : Latest News
26th July 2009: Graham Newman announces his arrival and future potential on the big stage as he captures the Offaly Matchplay & Offaly Masters
Offaly Matchplay Championships 2009 @ Tullamore July 13th-17th
The Offaly Matchplay championships took place recently at Tullamore Pitch & Putt Club. On the way to the final night, on Friday evening, there were some big upsets and in some on lookers eyes a few upredicted finalists took to the first tee for the coveted county titles. In the Ladies Final recently crowned double National champion Tracey McGrath added another county title to her name as she overcame Tullamore stalwart and favourite Annie Glavin. The Junior Gents Final was contested by Tullamore's Chris Keoigh and John Conneely. In a tight and highly contested match John Conneely edged out a deserved winner. The Inter Gents Final saw youth, Sean Galvin (Tullamore) take on the experienced, Eric Kinahan (Erry), a past Inter-County player go head to head. However, the promising Galvin had no reply for a very impressive performance from the Clara man on the night. The Gents Senior final was contested between young gun Graham Newman and the big lefty Mick Hogan. Of the two contenders to the crown Graham had certainly come through the toughest path defeating Joseph McGrath Jnr, Joe McGrath Snr., Anthony Galvin and Larry Maher Jnr, while Mick enjoyed a straight bye into the second round and wins over Jimmy Scanlon, Tommy Murphy and William Kennedy. It had the makings of a competitive battle but it was Graham who commanded the final with Mick fighting to the very end, bringing the game to the 34th hole. It was certainly a week of fantastic pitch and putt and one which sparked a first Senior title for Graham Newman, who certainly has a bright future in the game. It was also a first county title for John Conneely who will surley be joing the Inter ranks very shortly while Eric Kinahan enjoyed a flash back to familiar winning feelings.
Special thanks to Tullamore who hosted the week long championship and to the spectators who turned out week long and especially on the final evening making the 2009 county championship a memorable one. The Offaly Matchplay Championships were kindly sponsored by William Buckley Jnr.
»
2009 Offlay Matchplay Finalists
Annie Galvin, Sean Galvin, Chris Keogh & Mick Hogan
2009 Offlay Matchplay Champions
Eric Kinahan, Tracey McGrath, Graham Newman & John Conneely
Offaly Masters @ Erry July 19th
Graham Newman continued his good form following his County Matchplay victory by holding a winning birdie putt on the final hole of the playoff last Sunday evening to capture the Offaly Masters. The number of entries for the event were down on recent years but not as a consequence of any controlling factors but due to the unfortunate clash of fixtures this year preventing a lot of players travelling to Erry. However, this did not take away from the high standard of play and the excitment of the final playoff at the Offaly Masters. It was three of Offaly's top players who dominated the event; Joe McGrath Jnr. and Graham Newman tied on -18 and Larry Maher Jnr. followed on -17 following 36 holes. The Erry threesome were closely followed by defending champion Patsy Reams on -14. The cut fell at -9 and the following took to the first tee Sunday evening for the final 18 hole playoff: William Kennedy (Erry) 99, John Meehan (Erry) 99, Billy Buckley Snr (Erry) 99, Mick Byrne (Tullamore) 97, William Buckley Jnr (Erry) 97, Pat Malone (Custume) 97, Tommy Murphy (Ferbane) 96, Alan Hanlon (Collinstown) 96, Noel Duffy (Ferbane) 95, Patsy Reams (Ferbane) 94.
With none of the chasing pack making any enrodes on the leaders it became clear that the victor would come from the final group. It was neck and neck through the Hole 13 where Joseph holed in 1 to draw level on -20. Standing on the final hole Joseph was -21, Graham -22 and Larry -22. An excellent pitch from Graham two foot from the pin secured his second win of the week as Larry missed his putt to force a playoff. It was an exciting finish to a wonderful week for the youngster as he faced the top players in Offaly. These wins indeed sound the arrival of a new talent in the midlands, one that will no doubt be contesting provincial and national championships in the near future. Well done to Graham, Larry and Joseph on great performances and to all the Offaly Masters prize winners, they were as follows:
Overall Winner: 139 Graham Newman (Erry)
Runner-Up: 140 Larry Maher Jnr (Erry)
Third: 142 Joe McGrath Jnr (Erry)
Last 18: Mick Byrne (Tullamore)
Gents Inters: 1st 99 John Meehan (Erry), 2nd 101 Ashley Lowry (Tullamore)
Gents Junior: 1st 108 Michael Mullen (Erry), 2nd 110 Jamie Hogan (Tullamore)
Ladies Grade 1: 1st 101 Margaret Hogan (Tullamore), 2nd 112 Linda Flanagan (Erry), 3rd 113 Deirdre Byrne (Tullamore)
Ladies Grade 2: 1st Kathleen O'Lone (Ferbane)
Best team: Erry 90 Joe McGrath Jnr, 90 Graham Newman, 91 Larry Maher Jnr, 97 Joe Egan
Hole-in-One Spot Prizes: Joe Egan (Erry) Hole 1, Una Pyke (Tullamore) Hole 8, Pat Malone (Custume) Hole 3, Jimmy Scanlon (Erry) Hole 16, Sean Dunican (Erry) Hole 7, Graham Newman (Erry) Hole 13, Ger Palmer (Tullamore) Hole 6, Joe McGrath Jnr (Erry) Hole 13 (playoff)
Special thanks to the Erry Club for having the course is fine condition and to our sponsor Niall Martin of Martin's Golf, Inis Oir, Golden Island, Athlone. Also thanks to all who supported the event.
2009 Offlay Masters Winner Graham Newman, Runner-Up Larry Maher Jnr, Third Joseph McGrath Jnr.
2009 Offaly Masters Prize Winners: Margaret Hogan, John Meehan, Mick Byrne, Michael Mullen, Deirdre Byrne
|
|
 |
