4th April 2010: Buckley Dominates Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup as 157 Attend!

Sunday April 4th, the day Tullamore welcomed the Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup to their immaculate course and a return to form from one of Offaly's most prominent players over the past 15 years, William Buckley Jnr. From the very start of the event there was an unrelenting flow of players from Offaly and further a field including Dublin, Westmeath, Kildare, Longford, Meath, Louth, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare, Waterford and even Cork. In all the Co. Board recorded an entry of 157 players ranging from the top seniors in the country to a large combined contingent of 56 inters and juniors with 12 ladies also taking part. As anticipated the day ran long with the big crowd but due to the efforts of the club and county committee officers the final 18 hole playoff was possible and completed before it was pitch dark thankfully! We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tullamore Club for having the course and especially the greens in great order, to our sponsors and to all who supported us and made the event such a great success.

After 36 holes the top 12 and ties that qualified for the climatic 18 hole playoff were as follows:

But it was experience that came to the fore in the playoff as William Buckley Jnr. gave a strong and convincing performance to record an 8 under par final 18 holes, which included a three putt on the final hole, to finish on 23 under par overall, which was strong enough to ease to victory by 4 shots. Leader after 36 holes Pat Malone from Athlone carded a final 18 holes of 3 under par while Larry Maher Jnr. carded a 4 under par giving Larry second place on the back 18. It was indeed a fine and brave performance from the defending winner of the event last year. Pat Malone claimed third spot while the last 18 prize went to Lakeside's tenacious Davy Morrissey with a 4 under par round.

Hole-in-One prizes also went to the following players (following a draw with 12 hole-in-ones recorded over 36 holes): Mark Hogan (Tullamore), Davy Morrissey (Lakeside), Mick Byrne (Tullamore), Mick Foley (Custume) and Darren Keogh (Ryston). Once again we would like to thank all those who supported and congratulations to all our prize winners and especially to William Buckley Jnr. on a very impressive victory. Also special tribute must be paid to Tullamore green keeper Andy Boland, Catherine Galvin and her staff in the kitchen, Mick Hogan, Joe Gorman, Darren O'Connell, and Offaly officers Joe McGrath, Tracey McGrath and Una Pyke who ran the event over the long day and last but not least thanks to all our local players who played early in the day it was much appreciated.

List of all winners at the Offaly Co. Board Scratch Cup: