Ray McDonnell and his Barton Cup team are through to the last 16 of this year’s event after a great match with some wonderful golf being played. The opponents were Beech Park who are a known as a tough nut to crack. Ray was looking after affairs away and Paul Keane was in charge in Greystones.
At home we had Chris Boylan with Keith McDonnell and Alan Keane with Ruadhan Murray. In Beech Park it was Ollie Nolan with Kevin Barry, Des Hickey with Rob Tierney and Shane Nolan with Eddie Davis.
Chris and Keith got away to a great start and were 4 up through 6 holes but were pegged back by their opponents who won 7 and 8. So 2 up heading down the lane. Behind them Alan and Ruadhan had lost the first but recovered by winning 3 of the next 4 holes to get into a 2 hole lead. They extended their lead to 3 on the 9th.
Away from home their was a mixed start. Ollie and Kevin got off to a flyer and were 3 up after 6 despite losing the 1st. This lead was extended to 5 after 9 and the point looked safe.
Des and Rob were in arrears early, 2 down after 5, and despite winning the 7th they were 4 down after 10 holes.
Shane and Eddie also were under pressure despite winning the 2nd and found themselves 3 down after 9.
Back home Keith and Chris reeled off 3 halves at the start off the back 9 before winning 13 and 14 before finishing the match on 15.
At the same time Ollie and Kevin finished off their match in Beech Park. They won ten to extend their lead to 6 and despite losing 12 they won 13 for a resounding 6&5 win. So two nil to Greystones.
Des and Rob were fighting back and with 4 wins on the bounce from 11 to 14 they were back to all square. Shane and Eddie lost 11 and then fought back with two wins on 12 & 13 to get 2 down.
On the back 9 at home Ruadhan and Alan extended their lead by winning 10 & 12. Beech Park made a great birdie on 14 to extend the match but a half on the 15th was enough to win 4&3 and the get the precious 3rd point.
So with the match won Des and Rob were called in at all square while Shane and Eddie were 2 down with 5 to play.
Thanks go to Beech Park for their hospitality and for the sporting game.
Congratulations to Ray and his team on a great win against a tough team.
