Spring League Round 3

A fresh, warm and sunny Spring morning greeted the 71 players that took to the picturesque Hillview course in Clonmel last Sunday morning. The Hillview players knew that a win would push them ever closer to a league final spot for the second successive year and their players duly stepped up to the mark. Star of the future Stephen O’Reilly was in exceptional form when he posted a masterful –13 and give the Hillview contingent the start the required. The remaining Hillview players posted an aggregate of –37 to finish on –50 in total to ensure a much needed victory in the third round of the league. Now Hillview are in prime position, lying second in the table to Riverdale by only 2 points. However, Lakeside, whose players were led by the emerging Brian Cahill, really came out challenging Sunday to snatch the Runner-up spot and prove they are still very much a force. They now only lie 2 points behind Hillview in third position. Due to the fact that Lakeside have home advantage this coming Sunday one feels that they have a great chance to overtake Hillview but a lot will determine if their players can remain consistent and show the hunger that they possessed last Sunday. Riverdale who had an off day last Sunday, still remain in pole position and unless something dramatic was to happen it is hard to see them not making the final once again.
The 4th round of the league will take place at Lakeside on Sunday 01/03/09 from 09.30am – 1.30pm. With the league getting increasingly close, this round should prove extremely tense.
The Co Board would also like to wish Myles & Helen McMorrow the very best of luck in their pursuit of a place on the National Executive Committee within the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland. Both people having given extraordinary service to Tipperary Pitch & Putt on an administrative side of the game and we wish both of them the very best.

Spring League Round 2

One has to think, in Tipperary Pitch & Putt at the moment is how are the other clubs going to stop the Riverdale Express Train? How can the other clubs do to stop them one wonders and I am not sure anyone has the answers. Yes, we understand that the Riverdale members really raise their games for the competition and this is the reason why they have dominated this competition since its inception back in the early 90’s. Belief in your own ability is a great trait for any sportsperson to have and I believe this is where Riverdale hold all the “Aces”. They are now practically certain of reaching the Spring League Final once again and credit has to go to the players who continue to fly the flag for the Nenagh club on a continuous basis. Their Club are like a family; they all play for one another and are forever encouraging one another. Their players are ecstatic and proud when their score counts each Sunday. Yes, ecstatic, why your may ask, counting each Sunday ensures a place on the team for the final and players from Riverdale will tell you that this is paramount, as they want to join the elite of players who have brought pride and glory to their Club as a result of the Spring League.
Never was it more evident that Riverdale aspire to retain their Spring League Title at Larkspur Park last Sunday. The Nenagh brigade were out in full force and reports spread to the course that they created traffic congestion in places like Ballycahill and Boherlahan as a result of the convoy that came from Nenagh. They packed the first Tee Box like linebackers on the American Football field to show that they were here inferior to no-one and clearly their authority on the league. John O’Meara just back from injury returned a fantastic 13 under par to set out his stall of making the final team after missing the opening round. PJ Ryan who missed last years final continued his consistent start to the year with a steady 5 under par in the Junior Section to ensure the Juniors would be of great benefit to the Clubs aggregate score. Now word had spread to their leading lights that they could smell victory and most probably advance to the final. Paul Shoer Snr returned a mind boggling 16 under par as an Intermediate and surely a record score from and Intermediate in the League since its humble beginnings. This score was to ensure that he won the 36 Nett (26 under) and certainly ensure that there was to be no catching the Riverdale faithful. Just to cap it off then, the talisman for Riverdale for three decades, the ever-popular left-hander, Sean Minogue. Sean powered home –16 gross to beat Paul Shoer on the back 18, a putt on the 17th from Sean saw him give his trademark fist pump as he victory was in sight for his beloved Riverdale.
What can one say about the Riverdale contingent but they are simply mile ahead in terms of preparation that any other team in the league. Saying that however, Lakeside and Hillview will be hoping to continue their improvement over the remaining 3 legs of the league and reach the final themselves. Larkspur Park / Tipp Hills need to win next Sunday one feels to challenge a fight back to reach the league final but anything is possible in Pitch & Putt.
Hillview will be the venue for the next round of the league on 22/02/09 and again your support is greatly appreciated. Times are from 09.30am – 1.30pm.

Paul O'Brien receives Annerville Award

Tipperary’s outstanding and varied sporting prowess, were highlighted at the Minella Hotel in Clonmel last Saturday night at the 50th Annerville Awards Ceremony. Over the past five decades Tipperary sportsmen and women in innumerable disciplines have made the proud walk to accept their awards. Paul O’Brien of Lakeside, Templemore now joins the elite of Pitch & Putt Players from around the county who have received this award. Paul proved to be a hugely influential member of the Irish side that won the World Cup for the first time ever and according to the official World Cup Website he was dubbed as the “Star of the Tournament”. O’Brien became the first Tipperary Man to play at the World Cup and he certainly didn’t disappoint when he won 6 matches from 6 to become only the second person in the tournaments history to achieve this feat. We congratulate Paul on winning this award and also thank the Tipperary United Sports Panel along with Bulmers who continue to honour the Pitch & Putt players of the county on the achievements that they bring to the game of Pitch & Putt.

Spring League Re-Schedule

As a result of the severe ground frost experienced over the weekend the second round of the Spring League that was due to be played at Larkspur Park was cancelled. This is now due to take place on Sunday 15th February at Larkspur Park. Times of play will be 09.30 – 1.30. Please note with last weeks cancellation, all the other venues and dates have been pushed out a week. Clubs are advised to notify their players of this change.

Late Gus Cronin & Jack Gleeson

Two great stalwarts of Tipperary Hills Pitch & Putt sadly passed away last week in both Gus Cronin and Jack Gleeson. Both people were extremely proud of their Club and especially the players that they nutured throughout their time within the club. Gus was also a former Fine Gael councillor on the Tipperary Town Urban District council and served on the Committee of Tipp Hills. Jack although a native of Knocklong in Limerick was extremely proud to be associated with Tipperary Hills and in recent times he paid a visit to the All Ireland Inter County to catch up with some old friends and possibly even some adversaries of the past. I can safely say that I knew these two people personally and I am saddened that our game has lost two of the best characters ever to play in Tipperary. Whenever players would go to Tipp Hills they would see Gus making Tea in the Clubhouse and then later on Jack would be sitting beside him talking about the great Limerick Team of 1973. Yes you are right to think that both lads would never give an inch and that is what made them the characters that they were. I know that they were very much delighted to hear that the “Hills” was getting ready to open once again as the later days of their lives was spent on the course having the time of their lives. Both players are going to be very much missed around "The Hills". Ar Deis Dé go raibh a anam Dilis.

Spring League - Round 1

Last Sunday at Riverdale in Nenagh the Tipperary Pitch & Putt season for 2009 got underway in very cold but dry conditions. 61 players from all over the county battled through the conditions and I have to admit seeing so many players playing so early in the year is very encouraging for the remainder of the season.
Riverdale, who began the league stage as favourites certainly lived up to their billing when their aggregate team score pitted them in pole position at the end of the day. It has been said that the Captain of Riverdale Rory Hogan has had his clubmates out practicing since early January and this certainly paid off last Sunday. New kid on the block Stephen Shoer engineered a masterclass display when he returned an emphatic –17 to record the best gross score of the day and add to his growing reputation. Eventhough Riverdale were playing on their home course, one wonders of how they will be stopped from retaining the Spring League once again this year. Saying that though Lakeside could prove to be a formidable force this year in the league. Anthony Maher was their leading light in the Junior Section when he returned level par to take the 36 O/A Nett. Their Seniors were well below par but they were missing a few players also and if these return in time for the league stages, Lakeside could well find themselves in the shake up. Hillview who came third will be a little disappointed with that result but Riverdale has not a happy hunting ground for them in the past and Club Captain James Cleary will certainly be rallying the troops to perform better in Larkspur Park this coming Sunday. Larkspur Park / Tipp Hills will undoubtedly improve on Sunday’s performance as they have the benefit of having two home ties and this could proved extremely important in the closing stages of the league.
As stated already it was very exciting to see such numbers on the course and this is hoped to even increase as the league progresses. The Riverdale course for this time of year was in good condition especially after the rainfall leading into the competition. Next Sunday all roads lead to Larkspur Park and tee times will be from 09.30am – 1.30pm. Once again the Co Board would like to thank all the players who participated last Sunday.
Results from Last Sunday: Riverdale 6pts, Lakeside 4pts, Hillview 3 pts and Larkspur Park / Tipp Hills 2 pts.