27th September 2009: National Seniors Strokeplay Finals Results


The weekend certainly served up some top class pitch and putt at the National Seniors Strokeplay Finals at Tullamore with the locals fairing up very well in the Gents grade. The finals teed off on Saturday with the Ladies leading the way in perfect weather conditions and the course waiting in immaculate order. In the Junior section Betty Coady, a Cork native but playing out of Loughlinstown was a jubilant winner by two shots from fellow rebel Ida O'Halloran of Crosshaven. The Intermediate section also went down to the wire with Kilbeggan's Eleanor Gillic pipping the title by one shot from Bernie Dunne of St. Bridget's. Eleanor held a fantastic and what became a vital birdie putt on the 17th hole to finish on +6 overall while Bernie missed a chance on the final hole to force a playoff. In the top class Senior section through 27 holes it was still too tight to call on Saturday afternoon as the evening light faded. However, the class rose to the challenge of the course and it was Philo Condron of Lucan who claimed her first individual National title by three shots. Philo capped off a terrific year by adding the National Seniors title to her Dublin Strokeplay title and Leinster and National Inter-County victorious caps. Despite a three putt on he final hole Philo's overall score over 36 holes of -5 was good enough to claim the crown. Mairead O'Toole of Poulaphouca proved the greatest threat as she turned -5 through 27 after dropping a shot at the fierce ninth hole. However, as the holes ran out on the back nine the Kildare Inter-County stalwart made uncharacteristic mistakes and signed off on an overall score of -2 to take second place respectively.

It was the turn of the Senior Gents on Sunday morning to take on the Arden course which succumbed to a stiff cool breeze. You couldn't have written the script any better across the Gents section and in particular in the Junior section which saw a three-way playoff needed to decide the honours. Following nine holes PJ (the Darby) Dunne (Ferbane), Paddy Gaffney (Royal Meath) and Billy Hamilton (Poulaphouca) were still dead locked and it took a further 2 holes of sudden death to seperate them and it was Ferbane's Darby Dunne who held a terrific eight foot downhill birdie putt to claim victory to the delight of the local gallery. Second place was then decided by a further two further sudden death holes with Billy Hamilton edging out Paddy Gaffney's efforts for runner-up spot. The Intermediate section was dominated by local Brendan Gorman who shot an impressive -9, picking five of those birdies on the tough back nine. It was an impressive performance by the popular Tullamore player who won by four shots from Colm Hanley of Bellewstown, Colm secured runner-up spot on the back nine's from Erry's Johnny Scully who finished on -5 also, a double tap chipping on the 12th hole costing him dearly. The big hitters then took to the course Sunday afternoon as the Senior section went to battle. On this occasion it was McBride's Michael Bedford who tamed the Arden course with a fantastic second round -9 to card a total score of -14 to win by three shots from Seapoint's Pat Greene. Pat secured second place on the back nines from Skyrne's Oliver Duane. Best of our Offaly players were Ferbane's Patsy Reams and Tullamore's John Fleming who both finished on -8. Michael Bedford was indeed a deserved and very popular winner at Tullamore this weekend in a very competitive championship once again. Congratulations to all the prize winners especially our very own Darby Dunne and Brendan Gorman on fantastic National victories. Also well done to all the competitors who took part over the weekend who made the championships such a success and to the Tullamore committee on providing an excellent venue for the Seniors Nationals 2009.

See all the action pictured from the weekend below...please be patient while images download, thanks!