Spring League Round 2 - Tipperary Hills

Riverdale Triumph at Tipperary Hills

Golden sunlight greeted the players back to the infamous Tipp Hills course in Tipperary Town on Sunday last but Jack Frost came back to haunt us once again and causing a delay for the massive crowds that had congregated. After close consultation with Tipp Hills Officials, the Co Board decided to suspend the competition for 2 hours in order for the frost to clear from the greens. At 11am the enthusiastic players got the green light from the officials and once again “Competitive action was being played on the Hills.

The Riverdale contingent are really firing on all cylinders this year, they obviously are eager to re-claim the competition they have dominated for the last 25 years. This time it was the son of a master who shone through the beaming sunlight in Tipp Hills. John Minogue has been living in his father’s shadow for a few years now but this day was to be his day in the sun as he blasted home a 36 Hole score of level par to win the Overall 36 Nett and ensure that Riverdale would claim first place once again. It has to be said that John O’Meara, proud father Sean Minogue, Damien Long & Jim Molloy were also the catalyst’s of the Riverdale supremacy, which they are enjoying at present. The question at this stage really is, who is going to join Riverdale in the final? Lakeside, last year’s winners are quietly going about their business, but what will be alarming for them, some of their players are performing below their best at present but this is expected to be rectified come the closing stages of the league. However, Brian Cahill, Martha O’Brien, Captain Myles McMorrow and Anthony Maher are all finding their form at present. Their exquisite play ensured Lakeside would finish Runner-up on the day and they can be more than pleased with their efforts. In 3rd place came Hillview. The mercurial James Cleary, finally re-discovering the form that saw him National Strokeplay Runner-Up in 2006 was the tour-de-Force here. James, always liking to grace the hallowed turf of Tipp Hills blasted home a tremendous -15 and claim the 36 Overall Gross on the day. That said though, James’ team-mates were unable to match his clinical display and found themselves in 3rd position for the second successive Sunday.

To those who experienced the course that is Tipp Hills, I am sure you are very pleased to have played one of the finest courses in the country. To see it re-opened once again is fantastic to all those concerned with Pitch and Putt. Mr Sean Keane Hon. President of Tipp Hills and the committee were bursting with immense pride to finally see some competitive action. There were so many people saying “Isn’t it like old times” or “Great to see every tee-box full” from the paths that run parallel with the course and indeed they are right. Tipp Hills is the jewel in the Pitch and Putt world in the case of its uniqueness, the setting is simply unrivalled and of course the infamous 18th walk to the clubhouse is forever related with the Club. As we were always accustomed to, a huge welcome was there for all to receive, hospitality at its brilliant best and the course impeccably prepared. I for one never thought I would play competitively there again and let’s just say it did “Remind me of old times”.
League Table at Tipperary Hills
Riverdale 12pts
Lakeside 8pts
Hillview 6pts
Larkspur Park 0pts
Tipp Hills 0pts

This coming Sunday, the venue will be Larkspur Park with usual tee times of 9.30am to 1.00pm with €10 entry fee per player.