26th May 2011: Offaly Strokeplay Championships 2011

Hoctor Triumphs at Tullamore
The Offaly Strokeplay Championships took place on Sunday in Tullamore in very stormy weather, however, a great crowd turned up to compete for the first championships of 2011. The weather took its toll on the players in the early stages but as the rain subsiding in the afternoon players got to grips more with the blustery wind. All sections were decided over 36 holes with the exception of the Senior Gents section which saw the top 16 qualifying for a final 18 hole play-off. The Senior Gents section was dominated by local favourite Martin Hoctor from his first round -10 which he followed up with a second round -5 to go into the playoff 6 shots ahead of his closest opponent William Buckley Jnr. on -9. Two furthers shots behind were Joseph McGrath Jnr. and Graham Newman on -7 and one further back was Darren O'Connell on -6. Hoctor added another round of -5 to finish on -20 which was good enough to take the coveted title by 8 shots from Darren O'Connell who shot -6 in the play-off to beat Graham Newman on the back 18 for the runner-up spot. Others to make the playoff included J.J. Wynne (Erry), Larry Maher Jnr. (Erry), Jimmy Scanlon (Erry), Mick Hogan (Tullamore), Sean Buckley (Erry), Maark Hogan (Erry), John Fleming (Tullamore), Patsy Reams (Ferbane) and Anthony Galvin (Tullamore). The cut for the play-off fell at +4.

The final results of the County Strokeplay Championships were as follows:
Senior Gents: Winner - Martin Hoctor (Tullamore) -20, Runner-Up - Darren O'Connell (Tullamore) -12
Last 18 - John Fleming (Tullamore) -6
Inter Gents: Winner - Larry Maher Snr. (Erry) -5, Runner-Up - Sean Galvin (Tullamore) -2
Junior Gents: Winner - Dylan Melia (Tullamore) Level, Runner-Up - Gary Pyke (Tullamore) +6
Ladies 0-5: Winner - Margaret Hogan (Tullamore) Level, Runner-Up - Tracey McGrath (Erry) +2
Ladies 6-18: Winner - Una Pyke (Tullamore) -3, Runner-Up - Denise Pyke (Tullamore) +6.

The Offaly County Board would like to thank everyone who took part on such an overcast day and also the Tullamore Pitch & Putt Club for hosting the event.

Dates for your diary:
The Erry Open Fourball takes place over the June Bank Holiday from Friday June 3rd to Sunday June 5th and will be followed by the annual Erry Scratch Cup on Monday June 6th. All are very welcome, further information and prize details can be found on the event poster on our homepage.

The Leinster Matchplay Finals take place this coming weekend in Kildare. We wish all our representatives the very best of luck, they include: Larry Maher Jnr., Graham Newman, Gerry Gallagher, Patsy Reams, Joseph Pyke, Dylan Melia, Helen Wynne and Annie Galvin.

Prizewinners from the Offaly Strokeplay Championships held at Tullamore on May 22nd.