The world of Pitch and Putt will be the poorer for the passing of proud Patron of the PPUI, Paddy Power (RIP). Hillview has produced a number of fine administrators, none more so than Paddy Power, who rendered over three decades of service as Tipperary delegate to Munster Council and as Munster envoy to Central Council.
As a perennial President of Hillview, Paddy was the driving force behind many a successful championship hosting by the revered Clonmel club. Hillview were always truly magnificent hosts. The social and catering elements of hosting were always superbly delivered. Informative and attractive souvenir programmes augmented the events on the course. The flawless greens routinely received universal acclaim from players, officials and supporters. Hillview, with Paddy Power's gentle hand on the tiller, always projected the image that the Union is craving. Future visitors to Hillview will miss Paddy's warm smile of welcome.
For many years Clonmel's only traffic warden, Paddy was a very well known figure around the town. He used his contacts widely to generate sponsorship for Hillview and Tipperary and lost no opportunity to promote and publicise Pitch and Putt in the community.
A loyal attendee at PPUI Annual Convention, Paddy was a staunch defender of the PPUI Constitution and rule book. Delegates always looked forward to a Paddy Power intervention on the Convention floor. There were glowing citations for sitting Officers and aspiring candidates. There were many witty, unconventional contributions, delivered with a roguish glint in the eye. Opportunities for banter were never passed up, particularly if there was an opening to champion his beloved Tipperary. Paddy regularly proudly accepted development awards on behalf of Hillview, particularly appropriate as he was an avowed proponent of the development of Pitch and Putt.. Above all, Paddy liked nothing better than to participate in a wide-ranging exchange of views on all aspects of the P.P.U.I.’s infrastructure.
Paddy Power held many officerships through the years on Tipperary County Board. To all his postings, he brought a tremendous sense of pragmatism, a simple logic and an irresistible enthusiasm.
Paddy was an enthusiastic supporter of the PPUI's coaching programme and qualified as a Level One coach in 2000. Before and since, he introduced countless newcomers to the joys of Pitch and Putt through patient, straightforward and effective coaching techniques. When he could afford the time, Paddy was no slouch on the course himself. He particularly enjoyed team events.
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A close confidant of the legendary founder of the PPUI, Ernest O'Brien-Hogan, it was fitting that Paddy Power succeeded his fellow Clonmel man, O'Brien-Hogan, as patron of the PPUI in 1995, a just reward for a lifetime's service to his chosen sport. Paddy's emotional speech in Youghal that day was probably his most eloquent of all his loquacious offerings at meetings over the years.
We will not see his like again. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a hanam uasal.
Our thanks to www.ppui.ie and John Manning who allowed us to use his glowing tribute to Paddy.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Cahill & Hoare Win Munster Titles
Shane Hoare (Larkspur Park) & Brian Cahill (Lakeside) won the Munster Intermediate & Junior Strokpeplay titles last Sunday in Bruff.
Reports to follow early next week.
Reports to follow early next week.
McCarthy Wins Ladies Intermediate Munster Strokeplay
Michelle McCarthy of Hillview captured the Munster Ladies Intermediate Strokeplay Championship last Sunday in dramatic style when she defeated close friend Martha O'Brien of Lakeside in 6 hole play off at Fermoy. Both players have been battling it out since their days in the Juvenile Ranks since 2005 and once again it was McCarthy who had the edge on Sunday. In normal play she held her nerve to role in an excellent putt on the 36th hole to force the play off, a true sign of the calibre of player that she has become. McCarthy used all her experience and guile to edge out her tenacious opponent in the 6 hole play off by 2 shots. McCarthy now has really stamped her authority on the Intermediate Grade but one has to remark not to be surprise if you see both these players battling it out to win National Honours at Glenville later in the Year.
Congrats Michelle and hard luck to Martha.
Congrats Michelle and hard luck to Martha.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Riverdale E Win National Scramble
They came like a series of waves last Saturday morning as the first
section of the 72 finalist teams converged on Ryston & St. Bridget’s,
These were not the players one would normally associate with a National
Final, rather they are the members who make up the backbone of a normal
Club and for them this was to be their Day in the Sun. Such is the beauty
of the National Scramble Competition in that it caters for the player of
higher handicap. Not for such players the weekly (or twice weekly) Scratch
Cup, no they may turn out for the four ball competition on a Sunday
morning if no pressing domestic or club activity waylays them.
At any rate the klaxon sounded at 9.30 and the eighteen teams started out
in both venues. For the first 40 minutes Mother Nature proved most unkind
with driving rain making playing conditions difficult. However the rain
stopped and eventually a patch of sun appeared and remained with us for
the next two days. The initial leaders were Woodlands D of Kildare but
when the next eighteen teams started out there was all to play for,
Deerpark A from Killarney produced an excellent 30 to go into the lead but
then the 36 hole scores started to come in and the lead swung again to
Woodlands D. With the courses bathed in sunshine playing conditions were
ideal for the second grouping and the scores after 36 reflected as much,
with Kilbeggan A proving to be the top team of the day with 62 1/3, The
next four scores were as follows Deerpark A 64, Woodlands D 64 2/3,
Majestic C 65 and Kilmichael B 65 1/3
Sunday dawned with the sun shining again and the scoring did not
disappoint, Woodlands B produced a staggering 27 2/3 in Ryston and
Riverdale from Tipperary entered into the fray to be joined by Kilbeggan,
Deerpark and Bruff. As a spectator I could only marvel at the overall
quality of the play especially as the majority of the players were in the
higher handicap bracket. The climax of the competition was less than an
hour away.
Just before 3 pm the final round commenced and once again the standard of
play was superb. The lead changed places on a number of occasions but
Riverdale’s experience showed in the end and they emerged victorious with
158 2/3 over the all Coffey team from Kilbeggan with 160 1/3 with Deerpark
A garnering third place with 161 by just 1/3 of a shot from Woodlands B.
As ever Ryston and St. Bridget’s proved to be excellent hosts and looked
after all visitors with their customary skill. Both courses were in
impeccable order and their condition surely was a contributing factor in
the outstanding scoring. But most important of all were the players
themselves who enjoyed their Day in the Sun so much. I for one wish we had
more competitions at Club level to cater for the vast majority who play
our game. If they perform as those I watched at the weekend it would give
a tremendous boost to Pitch & Putt
(Many thanks to the National PRO Padraig O'Shea for allowing us to use this report)
section of the 72 finalist teams converged on Ryston & St. Bridget’s,
These were not the players one would normally associate with a National
Final, rather they are the members who make up the backbone of a normal
Club and for them this was to be their Day in the Sun. Such is the beauty
of the National Scramble Competition in that it caters for the player of
higher handicap. Not for such players the weekly (or twice weekly) Scratch
Cup, no they may turn out for the four ball competition on a Sunday
morning if no pressing domestic or club activity waylays them.
At any rate the klaxon sounded at 9.30 and the eighteen teams started out
in both venues. For the first 40 minutes Mother Nature proved most unkind
with driving rain making playing conditions difficult. However the rain
stopped and eventually a patch of sun appeared and remained with us for
the next two days. The initial leaders were Woodlands D of Kildare but
when the next eighteen teams started out there was all to play for,
Deerpark A from Killarney produced an excellent 30 to go into the lead but
then the 36 hole scores started to come in and the lead swung again to
Woodlands D. With the courses bathed in sunshine playing conditions were
ideal for the second grouping and the scores after 36 reflected as much,
with Kilbeggan A proving to be the top team of the day with 62 1/3, The
next four scores were as follows Deerpark A 64, Woodlands D 64 2/3,
Majestic C 65 and Kilmichael B 65 1/3
Sunday dawned with the sun shining again and the scoring did not
disappoint, Woodlands B produced a staggering 27 2/3 in Ryston and
Riverdale from Tipperary entered into the fray to be joined by Kilbeggan,
Deerpark and Bruff. As a spectator I could only marvel at the overall
quality of the play especially as the majority of the players were in the
higher handicap bracket. The climax of the competition was less than an
hour away.
Just before 3 pm the final round commenced and once again the standard of
play was superb. The lead changed places on a number of occasions but
Riverdale’s experience showed in the end and they emerged victorious with
158 2/3 over the all Coffey team from Kilbeggan with 160 1/3 with Deerpark
A garnering third place with 161 by just 1/3 of a shot from Woodlands B.
As ever Ryston and St. Bridget’s proved to be excellent hosts and looked
after all visitors with their customary skill. Both courses were in
impeccable order and their condition surely was a contributing factor in
the outstanding scoring. But most important of all were the players
themselves who enjoyed their Day in the Sun so much. I for one wish we had
more competitions at Club level to cater for the vast majority who play
our game. If they perform as those I watched at the weekend it would give
a tremendous boost to Pitch & Putt
(Many thanks to the National PRO Padraig O'Shea for allowing us to use this report)
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