On what had promised to be wet and blustery day, but to the delight of all turned out
to be just a blustery day, the Revive Active Women’s Four Ball Team consisting of
Niamh Keilthy & Joyce Kirwan, Jennifer Moore & Emma Haugh, Sophie Lumley &
Amanda Lawless and Shauna Seifried & Áine O’Rourke were preparing to play their
final round for the coveted Leinster Pennant against The Heath Golf Club. Waiting in
the wings and ready to cheer their fellow team players on were subs Marguerite
Hamill, Iris Haughton, Jacinta Deane and Sandra Cotter. This being the Final it was
held in a neutral venue, Mullingar Golf Course. Mullingar was the work of famous
Scottish golf course designer and 5 times Open Champion James Braid [1870 –
1950]. Although some changes have been made since its creation in 1935, Mullingar
is essentially as its designer intended, a championship challenge set in a mature
wooded parkland that was once part of the Belvedere Estate and what a hidden gem
it is.
With Niamh & Joyce first up against a former Irish International golfer it was, as
expected, a hard battle and Greystones being 2 down after 7 holes they managed to
win 8 and while it went back and forth with holes they were 1 down going down 18.
Jennifer & Emma got a very early lead and after 9 holes the opposition had yet to
win 1 hole, we were 6 up. As happens in these matches The Heath ladies managed
to win 3 holes on the bounce bringing Greystones back to only 3 up going down 13.
An easy win on 13 for our dynamic duo and dormie going down 14. Another easy
win again for them on 14 and there was 1 point on the board for Greystones.
The Third pairing out were Shauna & Áine and this due being 2 up after 8 holes it
was nip and tuck. They were 1 up going down 10.
Sophie & Amanda were very much up against it with two ladies from The Heath who
were very much on their game and even though Sophie was 2 over par on the front 9
giving 10 and 12 shots she just couldn’t manage to get a break from these ladies.
Greystones were 4 down after 9. It just wasn’t their day and even though they both
Sophie & Amanda played magnificent golf it was a point on the board for The Heath
after 13 holes.
1 point for each team.
Back to Niamh & Joyce and they were going down 18 – 1 down and with a shot
Joyce played the hole beautifully and was on the par 5 green in regulation with a
long 30 foot putt but so was The Heath International player and she was only 10 foot
from the hole. Joyce hit an amazing putt which went within an inch of the hole to
finish 5 nett 4 with a gimmie putt. The pressure was on The Heath they had to make
birdie to win their match. Well she wasn’t an Irish International for no reason, she
sank the 10 foot putt to half the hole and give The Heath a second point on the
board.
It was back down to 17 to see how Shauna & Áine were getting on. They were 1 up
going and it was still all to play for. Our play off pairing, Jennifer & Emma were down
on the practice area warming up for the possibility of a play off.
As it happens luck wasn’t on our side and 17 was lost so they were all square going
down 18. The best we could hope for was the play off and our dynamic duo were
making sure they were nicely warmed up for it.
With all eyes on Shauna & Emma after a very closely fought 17 holes it wasn’t to be
and in the end The Heath were the victors. Well done to them.
Lisa, Jean and the panel would like to thank the club for their support all along this
long fought campaign. 99 teams entered and we made it to the Leinster Final which
is a tremendous achievement and we should all be very proud. We would also like
to thank all the supporters who travelled to Mullingar to cheer on a the ladied, it was
so heartwarming to see so many Greystones supporters there.
