Rene Bloem finishes second in Kilbeggan Scratch Cup
Rene Bloem receiving the runners-up prize from sponsor, Dinah Carton
Collinstown continued their recent good form last Sunday with Rene Bloem’s runners-up finish at Kilbeggan scratch cup. This came a week after Alan Hanlon had won the Custume scratch cup. Rene’s performance was all the more impressive when you consider that there was a field of 129 players which included players of the caliber of JR Crangle, Sean Goggin, Mark Millar, Frank Ryan and many more big names.
Rene was one of the early starters on Sunday morning in very blustery wet conditions. Despite the inclement weather, Rene shot a blemish free 47. He followed this with another solid round of 49. This left him the early clubhouse leader. As the day progressed though, Dessie Baker from Lough Owel took over the lead with 14 under par. Pat Malone and Larry Maher jnr. joined Rene on 12 under. Next came JR Crangle on 11 under followed by Collinstown’s John Browne on 10 under.
Pat Malone (Custume) receiving the Paddy Carton Memorial Cup from Dinah Carton
The weather had certainly not eased up for the final round – indeed if anything it had taken a turn for the worse. Rene was not deterred though as he shot into an early lead with 4 birdies out of the opening 6 holes. The field did close in him though and the battle became very tight between himself and Dessie Baker as the round progressed. Pat Malone from Custume then made a late burst with 3 birdies out of the final 4 holes to finish 19 under par. Rene left his birdie putt short on the last and also finished on 19 under. And when Dessie Baker’s chip stayed out on 18 he also had recorded a 19 under total. This meant a 3 hole play-off for the 3 men.
Rene pitched first to 6 feet at the opening hole. Pat Malone pitched inside this to 5 feet and then Dessie Baker absolutely ‘stitched’ it. All 3 men got their birdie putts so no advantage gained. Rene hit a slack pitch to the second and was left with a difficult chip from short of the bank. Unfortunately he could not avoid making his first bogie of the day. Pat again had a brilliant pitch and made birdie to take the lead as Dessie made his up and down for par.
Dessie Baker (Lough Owel) receiving the third prize from sponsor Dinah Carton
Pat pitched the 3rd and final playoff hole to about 10 feet. Dessie once again stitched it to ‘gimme’ range putting the pressure back onto Pat’s putt. When Rene did not hole his pitch shot, he knew that he could no longer win. So it was all down to Pat. He studied the putt and hit it with authority. A little fist pump with a foot to go meant that he knew it was there and the scratch cup was his.
Rene was pleased with his performance and content with the runners-up spot on the day. With John Browne finishing a creditable 6th with 14 under par, it was a decent result for the Collinstown contingent.