Liz wins – Liam and Ena are second

Liz Bloem regained her Westmeath Senior Strokeplay title in style on Sunday last. Liz had to relinquish her run of consecutive wins last year due to being unable to compete but she returned this year with renewed determination. A rusty start however produced an uncharacteristic 61 and she found herself 4 shots behind the leader Kathleen Carton. Kathleen had a hugely impressive 57 and turned quite a few heads – was thereto be major upset on the cards? Liz knew she had it all to do in the second round and what followed, reminded everyone of just what a class player she really is. Liz produced a stunning blemish free 49 to take the title by a clear 6 shots in the end – clearly a performance worthy of the title “Champion”.

We had some joy in Grade 2 of the ladies section also with Ena Clinton putting up a brave fight for the title against the highly fancied Veronica Clarke from Kilbeggan. Ena held a 2 stroke lead over the field after her opening 18 holes but unfortunately was caught by Veronica in the second round. With both Ladies tied on a score of 123, Veronica won by virtue of a better second round and Ena had to settle for the runners- up spot.

In the Gents Championships, the first grade out was the Juniors. Of the Collinstown contingent, Gary Middleton was the one to challenge for honours. Gary shot an impressive 2 under par for 36 to leave himself 4 behind the lead going out into the final round. He was still in position to challenge for the title until a disastrous 12th hole put paid to his hopes. Brendan McMahon from Kilbeggan won the title in the end after a 9 hole playoff with Sean Langdon from Custume.

Next up was the Intermediates and this time it was our own Martin Carter that flew the flag for Collinstown. The highly fancied Dessie Baker from Lough Owel set the early pace with a brilliant 98. Martin played himself into the final two-ball with Dessie though with a 103. Martin made early birdies in the final round to close the gap and when both men stood on the 12th tee box, the lead was down to just 2 shots. But that 12th hole proved to be a graveyard for Collinstown players on the day with Martin making a double bogie on it and so his challenge had ended. Dessie went on to win comfortably from Custume’s John Joyce in second.

And so that left the main event of the day – the Gents Senior Championship. A case could be made for so many potential winners of this year’s championship but recent form and home advantage did make Custume’s Pat Malone, the favourite. Pat lived up to the tag by shooting an opening 48 to lead the field, closely followed by our own John Browne on 49. Defending champion Mick Buckley came into his own though in the second round to post a 36 hole score of 98 and take the lead. Mick was closely followed by brother Liam and Pat on 99. Then came Custume’s Anthony Browne on 100 with Collinstown’s John Browne and Alan Hanlon on 101 – it was hard to see a winner come from outside of these 6.

Liam Buckley opened up with a barrage of birdies in the last round to get to 14 under par after 7 holes. It was looking like the title might be heading back to Glenidan. Pat Malone was struggling in the early part of the round but a birdie on the 10th suddenly sparked him into life. Pat reeled off 6 birdies on the back 9 to finish on a total of 15 under par. Liam was one back playing 17 but hit a superb pitch to 3 feet before rolling in for 15 under himself. A regulation par on 18 from Liam meant that another 9 holes was in order for both men to decide the title.

Pat got off to a flyer birdying the opening 2 holes with Liam himself making birdie on the second. An uncharacteristic bogie from Pat on the third meant that they were all square again. Both men made birdie on 5 as the torrential rain made conditions very difficult. Pars on 6 and 7 meant that it was all square with 2 to play. Pat made a crucial break though on 8 though, pitching to 2 feet and making the putt. It meant that Liam needed a birdie on the final hole. In fairness his putt looked in, but agonisingly it lipped out of the hole giving Pat Malone his first Westmeath County title.  It took two though to make this mammoth spectacle of a playoff and congratulations must go to our own Liam Buckley on a valiant effort.

Thanks also to the County Board for a professionally ran competition and to Custume for the manner in which the course was presented to the players.

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