26th June 2008 Offaly Strokeplay Championships at Tullamore.

Tullamore hosted this year's Offaly Strokeplay Championships on Sunday last. Although it was a nice weekend across the country nobody early Sunday morning could have predicted the high winds that ensued. All county championship strokeplays across the country were severely affected by the harsh gale force winds that got stronger as the day grew on. As a result it wasn't surprising that the titles were wide open this year as favourite tags were dropped with such difficult and at times impossible wind conditions. Those who went out early in the morning proved the wiser with many of the best scores being posted early on. Among the early leaders in the senior grade were Tullamore's John Fleming and Mick Byrne who were later joined by Vinny Murphy, Anthony Galvin and defending champion William Buckley while ladies senior grade was lead by Tracey McGrath, also defending champion. A third round 18 hole playoff took place for the senior gents and ladies, 12 men and 5 women qualifying to play. Hopes of the winds dying down for the playoffs were dashed.

The gents playoff came down to an exciting finish between local hotshot Anthony Galvin and William Buckley Jnr. Buckley birdied the 17th hole while Galvin missed a long effort to take a one shot lead to the final hole. Buckely pitched within 3 feet and Galvin just landed short on the bottom fringe. Galvin held his chip to put unwanted pressure on Buckley to hole his birdie attempt and he obliged in fashion to retain his county title. In the ladies Tracey McGrath held a commanding lead from Tullamore duo Margaret Hogan and Annie Galvin entering the final round and increased it further on the back nine holes to also retain her county title in fashion.

The winners at the Offaly Strokeplay Championships by grade were as follows; Gents Junior Winner Michael O'Connell (Tullamore) Runner-Up Joe Pyke (Tullamore), Gents Inter Winner Darren O'Connell (Tullamore) Runner-Up Joe Hogan (Tullamore), Gents Senior Winner William Buckley (Erry) Runner-Up Anthony Galvin (Tullamore) and Last 18 went to Joseph McGrath Jnr. (Erry), Ladies 7-18 Winner Ann Minnogue (Ferbane) Runner-Up Ger Ryan (Erry), Ladies 0-6 Winner Tracey McGrath (Erry) Runner-Up Margaret Hogan (Tullamore.

Special thanks to who supported, the Offaly County Board for running a successful championship, the Tullamore Club for having the course in such excellent condition and the ladies who provided catering for everyone. Those especially who took part must be paid tribute to, in particular to the manner in which they took the day in goods spirits in spite of the conditions, at the end of the day pitch and putt was the winner and the spirit and fun by which the game is taken really shone through most of all.

Dates for your diary: The Erry Open starts this Friday, Fourball tournament dictates the weekend with the Scratch Cup taking centre stage on the Bank Holiday Monday. All are welcome to take part. The National Gents and Ladies Matchplay Championships take place over the Bank Holiday weekend in Glenville Pitch & Putt Club in Dublin. A strong group of contenders travel from Offaly in high hopes for the tournament. Taking part in the gents is Joseph McGrath Jnr., Paul O'Gorman, John Fleming, Billy Buckley Snr., and William Buckly Jnr. and in the ladies is Helen Wynne, Linda Flanagan, Annie Galvin, Margaret Hogan and Tracey McGrath. We wish them all the very best of luck at the weekend and hopefully a national title will be in their sights by Monday afternoon. A full report will follow next week.

Picture: Prize Winners at the Offaly Strokeplay Championships. Back left to right; Darren O'Connell, Joseph McGrath, Michael O'Connell, Joe Pyke, Joe Hogan. Front left to right; Margaret Hogan, Tracey McGrath, William Buckley, Anthony Galvin.