Over the weekend in both Gowran & Bagenalstown Pitch and Putt Clubs, the Leinster Strokeplay Championship Finals took place and it was a fantastic weekend for Dublin players
Keith Redmond earned his second Leinster Strokeplay in a dominant fashion, with a 3 stroke victory on -18 over Old County’s Karl Murphy while it was a welcome return for Loughlinstowns JR Crangle in 3rd as he was partaking in his first major of the year. A stunning 1-2-3 for Dublin and indeed half of the playoff final contained Dubs with Chris Gallagher, George McGreal & Gareth Walsh making the cut.
In the Ladies Senior Championships it was another victory for Rystons Chrissie Sheedy but she was pushed by Seapoints Barbara Murphy all the way in a 9 hole play off. Tracey Smith of Lucan took 3rd spot just a shot behind. Louise Grace took the 36 Nett prize home to RGSC after finishing another stroke behind Tracey.
On Saturday, the action took place in both Gowran & Bagenalstown. In Gowran, the Intermediate Ladies took center stage for a Dublin point of view as Under 16’s Officer Susan Ritchie of RGSC, took the title with a brilliant 2nd round which proved to be enough by a couple of shots and beat Lucan’s Barbara Furlong in a Dublin 1-2.
In the Juniors, fellow RGSC member Lorraine Duggan faired best but would finish in 4th.In the Gents over in Bagenalstown, it was very nearly an Intermediate double for Dublin as Chris Finn of Loughlinstown fought tooth & nail with St.Pats Ruairi Fortune in a topsy turvy 9 hole play off.
Indeed, the odds looked all in favour of Chris as he found the front of the 9th green, just inside Ruairi and 1 shot ahead. Ruairi though played a sublime chip to level it up and finished in style with another birdie on the 10th. A brilliant display by both in the sweltering conditions. Lucan’s Paul County would take 3rd on the countback.
Back to Gowran in the Junior Gents, Lucan’s Christian O’Reilly was the only Dublin player to make the playoff.
