29th March 2009: Westmeath Classic title goes to the Lily Whites..

Onwards to the Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup (Tullamore) April 5th

A fitting tribute was paid to one the true greats of Pitch & Putt today as the Jack McCormack Westmeath Classic recorded a record number of participants, approximately 170. They travelled from nearby clubs, including over 50 Offaly players, and from Louth, Meath, Kildare, Dublin and Longford. Scoring was tough under the cold and blustery conditions. Stackallen's Colin Somers posted an early clubhouse lead of -12. It would prove to be a tough marker to surpass as the cold and rain became determining factors. However, the visitors to the Lake County venue firmly set their sights on the -12 mark and they prevailed in overtaking Somers' leading score.

Kildare's Ian Dillon carded an impressive -14 for the 36 holes to take the Westmeath Classic by a single shot from Louth's seasoned campaigner George Beardsley, who finished one shot ahead of Westmeath's Harry Hanlon and Offaly's Larry Maher Jnr. on -12. Best of our Offaly players including Larry Maher Jnr. on -12 were his clubmates Erry William Kennedy (-11) and Billy Buckley Snr. (-10). Defending classic winner, Ferbane's Patsy Reams, but up a stern defence with -12 but could not pull off an historic double.

Attention now turns to Tullamore next Sunday where the annual Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup takes place. Always held as one of the most highly anticipated competitions of the early season, we hope that the same support viewed in Westmeath today will be replicated next weekend, it would be greatly appreciated. Coincidently, another Lily White, Eddie Carey, will no doubt be present to defend his title on the course that he would nearly consider home with his past victories at Tullamore. One thing is guaranteed, the Scratch Cup will be packed with high drama with the locals determined to retain the title and keep it in Offaly. Can the Lily Whites reign supreme once again?? Without a doubt there will be stiff competition for the title from the strong competitive field expected!
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