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Dublin Gents Strokeplay Championships 2012 - Review

Posted on 28 May '12 by Dave Hayden II

From DCB Online

The Dublin Strokeplay in Ring Commons was played in baking heat from it's start early on Saturday morning right up to the dramatic conclusion late Sunday evening. The new format that saw qualifying removed proved to be a brilliant success and hopefully this Championship can grow and grow from here.

Lucan Pitch and Putt have great cause for celebration this weekend, their players took all three titles this weekend. In the Junior grade, Kevin Redmond took the Championship from Paddy Delaney of Erin's Isle with an excellent performance in his first adult Dublin Strokeplay Championship at 16 years of age with a very composed performance that was beyond his years.

In the Inter grade, familiar faces crowded the leaderboard in a Championship that looked to be going only one way after 18 holes as Charlie Egan (Erin's Isle) posted a barn storming 47, however the day was to go in a different direction as Charlie couldn't add anything to that score in the next round. Trevor Ward posted a -6 total in the 36 hole section to get into the final group playing with 15 year old Sean Gallagher of Lucan who led the field on -7.

An absolutely dominant performance from Sean in the final round in which he posted a 48 in hardening conditions won him the Dublin Inter Strokeplay at his first attempt to become the youngest ever winner of a Dublin Adult Championship.

Conditions had become more suitable for low scoring on Sunday as the wind died off to almost nothing. The Senior grade got off to a flyer as Derek Courage (Ierne) posted a 44 that put him in the driving seat after 18 holes in the morning session. Sadly he couldn't add another scoer but was still right in the mix at the end of the morning as -13 was the best that group could produce, Hubert Kelly (Loughlinstown) topping the leaderboard.

A consistent theme of the day was that players improved in their second round as they got to grips with the greens in Ring Commons which require accurate positioning of pitch shots. A number of players made it to -12 in the early afternoon, Paul Nolan, Keith Redmond and Stephen Murray amongst them. While Junior Smith got to -13 also. It was two players late on who streaked ahead, Eoin Mithen (Loughlinstown) had an outstanding -17 while David Hayden (Lucan) produced his top form to shoot an incredible -19 for 36 holes and the outright lead going into the playoff.

In the playoff, new Irish International JR Crangle was the first man to make a move, he was -8 for his first 10 holes but his challenge faltered over the back nine, he ultimately finished -9 with a 5 and 4 on his card. While players throughout the field improved and scored well, that gap was just too much to bridge and the final three ball was always going to contain the winner.

Eoin got absolutely no luck in the last round, finishing with a 50 that could have been 45 or better if he'd had the rub of the green. Dave steadied up a bit after his brilliant 36 hole performance, he posted a 51 for the playoff that left him on -22 total. It was Hubert who stepped up to the challenge and posted an excellent 45 which brought him into a share of the lead, including an excellent birdie under pressure on the final hole. Sudden Death Playoff required.

9 holes is the format to decide the winner of a Dublin Strokeplay Championship. A good crowd of home supporters was in attendance along with plenty of players and regulars on the Dublin Pitch and Putt scene. The early exchanges favoured Dave as he took the lead when Hubert appeared to be flagging slightly but the Loughlinstown player was resurgent to take a one stroke lead playing the 8th hole with an excellent birdie on 7.

A very close pitch on 8 from Hubert put huge pressure on Dave but he was more than equal as he pitched to 7 feet himself on the treacherous shot over the water. Dave was first to put and banged the putt home in brave style to keep his challenge alive while Hubert rolled in his short putt to maintain his advantage going to the last hole.

After all the days play and effort the tournament came down to two players pitching the 55 metre 9th hole in Ring Commons which is a two tiered green and slightly raised in front. It requires a solid pitch and was playing slightly into the wind on the day. Hubert hit a pitch on a good line but not the right distance, he was 2 metres short of the green with a difficult chip to come. Dave took the teebox knowing that he needed a good pitch to the green to ratchet up the pressure and he duly obliged by finding the putting surface with a 10 foot putt left.

Hubert chipped beyond the hole and left himself a tricky 4 foot putt back. Dave now had a putt for birdie that would guarantee the playoff would continue and possibly take the title. As a three time All Ireland winner, not to mention all of his Leinster and Dublin titles, the occassion was not going to get to him as Dave stroked an excellent putt solidly into the back of the hole for birdie. The pressure was now on Hubert, his four footer just became a putt to stay alive in the competition.

Rolled well, the putt just didn't hold it's line, falling below the hole by an inch that meant it was bogey for Hubert and in the course of their 61st hole of the day there was a two shot swing that made Dave Hayden (Lucan) the Dublin Strokeplay Champion 2012, his third win in the event.

The Dublin County Board would first like to thank every player who entered and played in our premier Championship this weekend. The enthusiasm and interest of players is what keeps the competition alive and we hope that everyone enjoyed taking part in the competition over the two days. We would also like to thank everyone who came out to watch the play and support the players, this adds so much to the event and is greatly appreciated by players and officers alike.

Ring Commons is a club that is well on it's way to the top level of courses in Irish Pitch and Putt. They were exceptional hosts of the event and the County Board over the weekend, providing assistance beyond the call of duty at all times, a great welcome and most importantly and outstanding course that challenged every player in the field. Their greens were superb and even moreso because of the extreme heat which they endured very well indeed. A massive thank you from the Dublin County Board to the committee, members and ground staff of Ring Commons for their hosting of our competition.

Congratulations to Kevin, Sean and Dave on winning their respective Dublin Strokeplay titles. This is a great achievement for any player and we are proud to have you as our winners and congratulations also to Lucan Pitch and Putt Club on their three winners. Well done lads.

David Hayden


Sean Gallagher


Kevin Redmond