Monday 31st August
Our Cullen Cup team headed to Baltinglass yesterday to play Rathfarnham in the final of the competition accompanied by a large contingent of Greystones supporters. The last time that Greystones won this competition was in 1979 and team managers Michael Keating and Mary Hutch had left no stone un-turned in terms of preparation in an effort to bring the trophy and pennant back to Greystones in 2015. First out for Greystones were Shane O’Connor and Polly O’Reilly. Both players had an exceptional day yesterday and played brilliantly from the start. They remained totally focused and closed out he match early 6&4. Our second pairing of Diarmuid MacGabhann & Emma Hanley were equally determined and after a superb shot from Emma into the par 3 16th they closed out their match 4&2. 2 nil Greystones. Our third pair of Ray Nolan & Karen Purcell had a mighty tough match which saw them 1 up after 8 but a run of 3 losses from the 10th had them at 2 down after 12. They fought hard but were unable to make up the deficit went down 3&1 in the end. At 2-1 in the tie our fourth pair of Water Gilbert & Trish Sheil were leading 1 up through 16 after what had been a fantastic match so far. They had started brightly and were 2 up after 4 but the Rathfarnham pair had a great day on the greens and the match was all square after 7 . Rathfarnham then edged ahead 1 up through 10. Greystones wins at 11 and 12 followed by losses on 13 & 14 and the match was once again all square. Just as Emma had done in the second match, Trish hit a great shot to the par 3 16th and we went 1 up again however in a nail biting last couple of holes the Rathfarnham pair once again held two brilliant putts to win both holes and we were once again – as is generally the case in a final – down to the wire. The management team had put Barry Davis & Ciara Marmion out as the last pair and while they had a slow start ( 2 down after 2 ) they rallied and were all square by the 7th teebox. Giving 5 shots in their match, they see-sawed 1 up to 1 down and found themselves 1 up after 14. They lost 15, where they were giving a shot and had ended above the hole on a very tricky green but immediately fought back to win 16 and head for the 17th tee at 1 up. After a massive drive by Barry followed by an unbelievable approach shot by Ciara it looked like they had done enough to earn the victory but once again a wonderful putt by the Rathfarnham lady ( Gillian ) earned Rathfarnham a half and we all headed to the 18th. It was now Ciara’s turn to hit a fantastic drive and when Rathfarnham knocked theirs down it looked good for us. Their second shot ended up short left , leaving what looked like an impossible shot – under a tree, over a bunker and onto a green that was sloping away. It looked even better for Greystones when Barry hit his approach shot to 15 feet below the hole. Up steps Gillian from Rathfarnham again and hit an amazing shot to the green. You could hear the collective sharp intake of breath of the onlookers as the ball rolled in what appeared to be slow motion passed the hole, missing it by no more than an inch and coming to a halt within 4 inches. An unexpected par….. With two putts to half the hole and win the Cullen Cup, Ciara putted to around 4 feet and Caddy Gary Campbell instructed Barry, ” inside left and don’t hang around “. Barry followed the instruction and calmly holed out to win the match and bring home a second pennant to Greystones so far this year. Thanks to Rathfarnham for a great match and to Baltinglass for their hospitality and for running such a professional tournament. Grateful thanks to all the panel and management for their commitment over the course of the campaign and to the caddies and supporters who made such a difference yesterday and during the earlier matches. More photographs are available in the members’ gallery.
Not such good news for out Wicklow Cup team who, under the tutelage of Antti Happonen & Rod O’Shea narrowly lost out in their semi final yesterday. Wicklow have put a major effort into their junior section over the past few years and playing them away from home was never going to be easy. This was a repeat of last year’s final which Greystones won in Woodbrook. In the end it came down to the last put on the 18th to decide the match and on this occasion it went Wicklow’s way. Best of luck to Wicklow in the final which will be held on September 13th in Greystones ( as holders ) and many thanks to all the panel and management for their efforts over the season.
