Dublin Ladies Strokeplay 2010

19/07/2010 - Report from CYMC on the Dublin Ladies Strokeplay 2010

CYMC/LC hosted the Dublin Ladies Strokeplay this past weekend as the Senior ladies top 4 inter county players were finalised, the Inter event was dominated by home players and a Junior lady made it two in a row with an outstanding performance in dreadful conditions on Saturday.

In the Ladies junior event played in very tricky conditions on Saturday, Old County starlet Christine O'Reilly retained the title for a 2nd successive year, it was an impressive showing from the young Kimmage player who lead after 18 holes and extended her lead to a healthy nine shots over recently crowned Leinster champion Marise Carroll at the close of play. O'Reilly showed great versalility as she calmed the short tight Fairview course in the same way as she had the wide open space of Dublin bus in 2009. O'Reilly in her speech said she was overjoyed to be holding onto the Eamonn Birchall Cup for another year, saying it was a great honour to win it.

In the Inter event, it was all about the host club as Rose Collins & Helen Greagsby were the front runners after 18 holes, Collins was the only player to break par and Greagsby was neatly tucked in behind her on level par. In the 2nd 18 as the wind & rain arrived in abundance, Greagsby showed her true class and the form that saw her win in more difficult conditions in RGSC two weeks previously. She pitched superbly well on route to a fantastic 49. She was only one of two players to break 50 in all three grades over the weekend. Helen's final score of 103 earned her a seven shot win, but it was not Collin's who was to be second, she could only manage a 57 and her clubmate Eileen Nolan managed to finish runner up on back 18. It Was nolan's 2nd timein recent years to finish runner up on her home course having lost out in the Dublin Matchplay final back in 2007. Helen paid tribute to all who had helped prepare the course for the weekend and said she was delighted to win the Peg Smith Cup. Helen was runner up in DCBS 12 month's ago and was overjoyed to go one better on her home course. The chairman paid generous tribute to Helen saying he saw a very bright future for her in the senior grade.

In the Senior event, there was just seventeen in the field and naturally all eyes were on recvently crowned National Champion Ger ward. In the opening 18, Ger lead the way with a 51 but closely in behind were Stella Sheridan and Maree O'Toole with 52. Sheelagh Elmes also posted a 52 but she was to rue two 5's on the back nine as she had been -6 at one stage.

In the 2nd 18, it was all about Ger, she showed all her class with pinpoint pitching capped off with a majestic hole in one on the 17th. Her score of 46 gave here an overall total of 97 (-11) and an eight shot winning margin over Sheelagh Elmes. Mareee O'Toole, Stella Sheridan and RGSC's Ger Holland were also under par after the 36 holes. For Ger despite all her win's, today was the 1syt time she had got her hands on the Peggy Campbell Cup since the cup was renamed after the late Glenville legend in 2006. Ger said Peggy was a true superstar of the game and she had so much respect for her. She thanked CYMC and Eamonn Birchall once again for his kind sponsorship On a day when the 1st four place on the Inter County team were filled, she said she looked forward to playing with Shelagh, Maree and Ger Holland in the Inter Counties over the coming week and they would do their best.

The Chairman said Ger was the greatest lady player ever to play the sport as she had emphasised once again today. He too thanked Eamonn who has been and is still a terrific supporter of the game both in terms of the time & effort he puts into it and the sponsorship he has given the board. Christy did say he was very dissappointed to see such a poor entry into the championship, it was the premier event in Dublin for ladies and it needed the ladies to support it. He urged the ladies to support the ladies matchplay title starting in Erins Isle on August 13th. He said it would be an historic event as all seven finals (Gents, Ladies & Juveniles) would be held in Lucan on Sunday afternoon August 15th. Christy said the Inter County team would not be announced today, although the top four places were filled, the selectors would meet further before announcing the final two places shortly.

Ger Ward (Portmarnock) receiving her trophy from Eamonn Birchall

Ger Ward (Portmarnock) and Sheelagh Elmes (Portmarnock)

Helen Greagsbey (CYMC/LC) and Eileen Nolan (CYMC/LC)

Christine O'Reilly (Old County) and Marise Carroll (RGSC)

Full scoreboards for all three events: Scoreboards