President’s Prize Review
Michael Buckley receiving the winner’s prize from President Larry McGinn
Last weekend saw the first major club competition of the year take place at Collinstown, namely the President’s Prize. This year’s President is Larry McGinn who is widely accepted by all as the gentleman of Collinstown Pitch & Putt Club. Larry quietly goes about his business but is a true club man and works quietly behind the scenes promoting the club in anyway he can. The turn-out of 37 players over the three days was a true testament to the esteem that Larry is held in by the members of Collinstown Pitch & Putt Club.
The competition began in earnest at 2pm on Friday afternoon. The format for this competition was devised by the late great Joe Bray a number of year’s back. It is a re-entry competition – play as many cards as you wish with your best two counting at the end of the competition. The over-all winner and runner-up prize is nett + gross combined – in other words your handicap counts for one of the two rounds. There is however a best 36 nett and best 36 gross prize in the gents section as well.
Gary Middleton – 2014 runner-up in the President’s Prize
The early contenders on Friday came from the senior continent in Collinstown. Niall Cuffe rolled back the years to shoot a splendid 44 opening round. In truth this round could have been even better as the final three holes were parred when birdies seemed more likely. But that score was bettered within a half an hour when local maestro Michael Buckley returned a brilliant 43. Now these early scores might suggest that the course was playing easy – far from it!! The greens were firm and the surrounds were ‘grabby’. Taking this into consideration, these scores looked all the more impressive.
It was one of those days though that Mick Buckley was in the humour to do what he does best. He followed up his 43 with a 45 in the very next round to set a target of 20 under par 88. Even at this early stage, one was left to wonder – was everyone playing for second place already? ‘Cuffey’ not to be outdone shot a 47 himself on Friday evening to record a 91 gross total, but his +2 handicap was coming back to haunt him though as regards the over-all standings.
Paddy Gorman – winner of the 36 Nett
So Saturday morning came and a wind had risen in Collinstown. The greens had got firmer and quite simply, scoring had become very difficult. Some notable rounds on the Saturday came from Gary Middleton who shot a 48, 52 off 7 to record a total of 93 and thus go into second place. Best round of the day went to club captain Alan Hanlon with a 47.
Sunday morning saw an early influx of members trying to make one last assault on Michael’s target score. But the course once again was showing its teeth and soon it was obvious that the battle was for second. Paddy Gorman shot a 51, 53 to briefly take second place on 92 but Gary Middleton immediately replied with a 51 to tie on 16 under. Gary then went one better again shooting a 50 to move onto 91 but there was still a sting in the tail. Mark Ayres who had quietly recorded a 48 on Saturday evening, added a 49 in his final round of the day to join Gary on 91. The nervous wait began as the count-back of back 9′s was required to split the two. When the totting up was done, Gary had held on by the narrowest of margins – a half shot!!
Anne Kelly – winner of the Ladies prize in the 2014 President’s Prize
But the man of the weekend had led from start to finish. Michael Buckley’s superb total of 88 on Friday was never threatened and he was declared President’s Prize winner for 2014. In his speech afterwards. Michael complimented the superb prizes that the President had put up. He noted that it had been a long time since he won this competition and that it meant a lot to him. As stated Gary Middleton got the runners-up spot on 91. Paddy Gorman won the 36 nett with a score of 80 while Niall Cuffe’s Friday total of 91 was enough to secure the 36 gross.
Unfortunately the Ladies game countrywide is dying a death and this is also reflected in Collinstown. Although 2 of our Ladies could not compete due to injury, they did admirably enter and pay for a number of cards. The fact remains though that only 3 Ladies actually competed in the competition which is a sad reflection of where the Ladies game is at the moment – I’m not sure what the solution is – certainly the ones that are still playing have to be complimented but we need to find a way of encouraging more new Lady members – not only in Collinstown but countrywide. Anne Kelly took the spoils in the Ladies event with Moira Nugent picking up the runners-up prize.
Moira Nugent – runner-up in the Ladies event in the President’s Prize
All in all the weekend was a huge success and there was over 230 cards played. The club would like once again to thank Larry, and family, Elaine, Alan, Lorna and Lisa for their generosity in the prizes and there presence and good company over the weekend.