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Saturday 19th September

So here is our last teams update for 2015.

Yesterday our Jimmy Bruen Leinster Champions took on Castlebar in the All-Ireland semi final. Sean Hynes and Oliver Frawley had left no stone un-turned in terms of preparation.  The panel had played the Carton House course 4 times and were ready for battle.  Unfortunately on the day it wasn’t to be and Castlebar won out to get to the All-Ireland final. Our first pairing of Con Thomas & Jack Joyce had won in every round so far in this campaign and despite shooting 5 over for 17 holes lost 3&1 to a very strong pair who shot 1 over.  Fantastic scoring for Jimmy Bruen. Paul Keane & Ben Hynes were out second and also came up against strong opposition loosing out 5&3.  Our ray of hope was our pairing of Keith Lewis & Pete Murray who were level par for the first 10 holes and won out comfortably 7&5.   Speaking of rays – our third pairing of Ray McDonnell & Gavan McGirr had a tough day against another strong Castlebar pair and lost their match on the 14th, 5&4. With the match lost our final pairing of Eugene Strong & Cian Gilmore were called in on the 15th where they were 2 up.

So this is the year end wrap up after a fantastic performance by the GGC teams and managers.  Special thanks to our teams convenor Paul Keane who has done such a wonderful job in 2015.

Jimmy Bruen – An All-Ireland semi finalists and Leinster champions – pennant

Cullen Cup – champions – a mixed pennant

Ladies Minor Cup – Leinster Semi-finalists

Brennan Cup – Semi-finalists

Under 15s – Leinster quarter finalists

Best Cup – Leinster quarter finalists

Wicklow Cup – Semi-finalists

Barton Cup – beaten in round 3

Metropolitan Cup – beaten in round 3

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.

A photo gallery from the presentation of the Captain’s prize to the Junior Boys have been added under the members section – or just click here to go there ( you must be logged in as a member to view ).

On the day that Paul Dunne was selected for the 2015 Walker Cup team, Glen Reid put together some more Open memories – thanks Glen

Click here for the link

Monday 24th August

Barry O’Leary’s Brennan Cup headed to Coolattin yesterday 23rd August to play the semi final of this competition.  On a day when Greystones G.C. was enduring rain and more rain the team got to play in good conditions for the most part. Unfortunately our team came up against some very strong high handicap players in Coolattin and iving shots away from home is never easy!!   A defeat by our strong first pair of  Diarmaid MacGabhann & Liam Moulten ( who were level par ) 4&3 set the scene.  Next to finish were our third pairing of Tom Byrne & Derek O’Regan who also went down 4&3 despite playing good golf. .  Our second pair of Martin Nolan & Michael Smullen stuck at it playing excellent golf to win on the 18th to bring the tie to 2-1 to Coolattin.  At all square through 9 Fergal Duffy & Mark Byrne were doing well but found themselves 3 down after 13.  Winning 14 & 15 they were back in the game at 1 down but unfortunately losses at 16 & 17 ended the match 2&1 and the tie.  Our last pair of Shane O’Connor & Greg Pollard were called in from the course from the 13th where they were 1 down in what was a very tough match.   Many thanks on behalf of the club to Barry O’Leary and all his players who put so much effort in over the course of this competition.  We’ll remember the great wins over Arklow and Woodenbridge !!

Wednesday 15th July
Singles

1st Niall Stokes (13) 42Pts
2nd Philip Martin (12) 40Pts
3rd Simon Phillips (13) 39Pts
4th Ray Houlden (11) 37Pts B9
5th Julian Keown (4) 37Pts B9
Gross Eddie Lonergan (1) 34Pts
Two’s Results €5
1st Stephen Aherne, Sam Lewis
5th Derek O Regan, Dave Mangan, Colm Mulcahy, Eddie Lonergan, Pat Raftery, Niall Stokes , Pat Ryan, Barry McNamara, Julian Pollard, Ronnie Cotter, John Hynes, Finbarr Fay, Sean O Gorman, Conor Keown
11th Fergal Duffy , Philip Martin, David Kirk, Ben Hynes, Tom Reid, Sam Lewis
12th Julian Keown
14th Danny Hatton, Michael Hoffman
16th Dave MacMullan, David Fry, Conor Keown
9 Hole
1st John Shiel (12) 22Pts

STRI Visit.  Last week we had our annual visit from our course agronomist.  We have been taking various measurements on 3 sample greens for the past 4 years so that we can collect and analyse the data to ensure that our maintenance regime is correct and highlight any areas which could be improved.  The results have been encouraging with improved figures year on year and the initial results from this year again showing an improvement on green smoothness and trueness.

I will post some more details once we receive his full report.

Rainfall.  We have had 48mm of rain over the last week.  While this rain was needed, it would have been better for the course if it had fallen as persistent light rain rather than very heavy showers, as it tends to run off  before it has a chance to soak down to the roots.  Control of the moisture content in the greens has largely been taken out of our control which means that they are a little softer and running a bit slower than I would like but the putting surface is still in excellent condition.

Maintenance.  Bunkers are included in this weeks maintenance program.  All bunkers will be edged, smoothed, stones removed, sand pushed back onto the faces and sand levels checked and adjusted.  This is a very labor intensive job which takes three men two days to complete.

Greens Update Greens were tined on Tuesday 16th June to soften the putting surface as it can get a bit too firm during weather conditions that we are currently “enjoying”. Simply increasing water applications can lead to soft lush growth which encourages disease, increased thatch, and spongy slow greens when the weather returns to normal. Currently our greens moisture content is between 25%-30% .  Our target range is 15%-20%

Another quick reminder for all our members to mark of the 20th of June in your diary, as The Enjoyment Committee look forward to bringing our members and guests an evening of little
darkness, sumptuous fayre, fine wine and great fun. Book now at the bar !!