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.