On a bright blustery day our Irish Mixed Foursomes team were talking part in the Leinster South semi-final against Blainroe GC. There was to be 2 matches in each venue and in the event of a playoff it would be played in Blainroe. Regina Barry was looking after affairs in Greystones while Paul Keane was in charge away from home.
At home Des Hickey and Helen Creedon were out first followed by Alan Keane and Geraldine O’Shea. Away we had Walter Gilbert with Aine O’Rourke and Ray Nolan with Sandra Cotter.
Both pairs at home were ahead at the turn, Helen and Des 3 up and Geraldine and Alan were one up.
Away from home Sandra and Ray were 2 down after 9 while Aine and Walter were 2 up also after 9. So things were looking good but still a lot of golf to play.
Des and Helen extended their lead to 4 on ten but the Blainroe came back hard winning three on the bounce at 11,12 and 13.
Alan and Geraldine were pegged back to all square on ten but then won 12 and 13 to lead by 2.
In Blainroe Ray and Sandra’s opponents extended their lead to 3 after 10 holes. The Greystones pair won 12 but lost 14 to be 3 down again. Walter and Aine won 10 and 11 to go four up. The Blainroe combination immediately came back with wins on 12, 13 and 14 to get back within one hole.
Des and Helen won 14, lost 15 and halved 16 to remain one up. At this point Ray and Sandra were beaten 4 & 2 when Blainroe won on 16. One nil to Blainroe.
Des hit a fine drive down 17 while the opposition put it in the right hand bunker. Helen hit a fine shot onto the green putting the pressure on the Blainroe pair. They left it in the bunker and despite a fine third shot Greystones closed out the match 2 & 1. One all.
Geraldine and Alan had now got to the 17th one up. Both pairs were down the right but Greystones were unable to go for the green. While Geraldine played out to the fairway Blainroe went for the green and came up short in the water. Alan then hit the green in 3.
While all this was going on Aine and Walter came down the 18th in Blainroe one up and won the 18th to win 2 up. Two one to Greystones.
All we needed was a half point now and Geraldine and provided that with a half on 17 which guaranteed the half point.
So 2.5 to 1.5 in favour of Greystones.
Congratulations to Regina, Paul and all the team on getting to another final for the club.
The Leinster South final will be on Sunday 1st September with time and venue to be confirmed.
