Browne wins his maiden Scratch Cup
John Browne – Galway Masters Champion 2014, with runner-up Alan Hanlon (left) and third place Kevin McCarty (right)
Last Sunday was an historic day for Collinstown’s John Browne. After 20 years of trying, he finally achieved one of his main ambitions in the game – to win a scratch cup. Browne has been a member of Collinstown since 1993 and a Senior player for more than 18 years. He had numerous second and third places over the years, up and down the country in these prestigious senior events but frustratingly had never managed to take the main prize home with him. That all changed last Sunday in the links course of Mellows in Galway.
Browne arrived at the course near to last card, on his way home from the National Matchplay championships in Parteen, Limerick. An early first round exit to eventual semi-finalist Chris Scannell meant that Browne could take in one of his favourite courses on the way home Sunday. Conditions were extremely tricky fro the 2014 Galway Masters, with a strong breeze coming in from the ocean and the greens could only be described as firm to say the least. It also must be said that the putting surface on the greens was very good and compliments must go to the course committee for their preparation work on the course.
The early clubhouse lead was held by local man Harry O’Hanlon (2012 winner of this cup) on a score of 101. Browne had a dream start however, birdying the opening 6 holes. The course bite back at this stage, and Browne struggled to hang-on to his birdies as each hole presented problems to make par. He ground it out though and was still 6 under playing 16 where he once again made birdie and followed with another on 17. A par on the last meant that John had completed the opening 18 holes in a blemish-free 46 strokes.
Again a good start was made to his second round, as he birdied the 3rd and 4th to move to 10 under par. But again the next number of holes was a pure battle to make pars and not to drop any shots. By the time Browne reached the 70 metre 14th which was playing directly into the wind, he was still on 10 under par. The strong breeze from earlier had at this stage progressed into a gale and the 14th was virtually unreachable for the Mullingar man. His pitch fell a long way short and despite a good chip, he dropped his first shot of the day. An excellent birdie on 16 though retrieved this shot and a par from the front bunker on 18 preserved his 10 under total.
This total was enough to lead the field by 2 shots going out into the final round. In second place was scratch cup specialist Larry Maher jnr from Erry. Next came Collinstown’s Alan Hanlon and Mellow’s Harry O’Hanlon on 7 under and then there was the former National Matchplay Champion, Kevin McCarty from Deerpark on 6 under par.
Browne had an excellent start to the final round – moving to 12 under total after 4 holes. Mellows was really showing its teeth at this stage though and Browne could not avoid dropping shots on the difficult 5th and 8th hole. Even still, at level par with 10 to play, he led the competition by 2 shots. Browne made birdie on the 11th and got the news that his nearest challenge was from Kevin McCarty and his good friend Alan Hanlon – both on 9 under par. Now the battle really had begun.
Browne once again made birdie at the 12th while Hanlon also dyked the 13th – still 2 shots in it. Hanlon made an excellent par on the mammoth 14th but Browne would drop a shot here. However Browne drained in a 12 footer on the next to restore his 2 shot lead. This lead remained until the very last hole. Anyone that knows Mellows will know that the 18th hole there, is not for the faint-hearted. It is a 67 metre shot to a green that goes away from you, with a very nasty bunker guarding the front of the green. Browne watched in horror as Hanlon made a superb birdie to reduce the lead to a single shot. Browne having been in the bunker the previous round, decided to punch it this time but the sea-wind grabbed hold of the shot and sent it 10 metres big and left. A very poor lie meant that par seemed unlikely. Even still, a good chip set Browne up for an eight foot putt to win his first scratch cup. Of course it was never going to be that simple though – the putt broke low of the hole and so we were faced with a 3 hole play-off between the two clubmates to decide the title.
The opening hole seen Browne restore his lead as he knocked in a tricky 6 foot down-hill putt across the break for birdie. Hanlon immediately struck back with a superb pitch to the down-wind second. Browne’s pitch on the other hand was 5 yards out the back of the green and in trouble. But what followed next was arguably the best chip John Browne will ever hit in his career as it made its way into the bottom of the hole. Hanlon missed his putt and John was 2 clear with 1 hole remaining. There was no mistakes from the Mullingar man this time as he landed his pitch safely on the third green and took the two putts required to win his maiden scratch cup.
He got what can only be described as hearty and emotional hugs from both his playing partner, Hanlon, and his father on that final green and was surrounded with heart-felt congratulations from the rest of the watching gallery. He was very gracious in his speech to everyone who had helped and supported him through the years and had a special word of thanks to the Mellows club for their hospitality as always.
It was a great day for Collinstown Pitch & Putt as Alan Hanlon picked up the runners-up prize and Larry McGinn also made the final round. Hanlon would go on to win again the next day in Erry scratch cup where he won the prize for the best last 18.
Kevin McCarty was third in the end on 9 under par and Custume’s Anthony Browne won the last 18 with a 51. Mick Foley from Deerpark won the Inter prize on 105 with Custume’s Joe Clarke getting the Junior on 109. Margaret O’Donovan from Bruff won the ladies prize on 135.