Three-peat for Shoer of Riverdale Senior Scratch Cups
The annual Riverdale Scratch Cup took place on Sunday.
Conditions were far from ideal with some very heavy rain throughout the day but the course was once again in excellent condition after all the hard work by the course committee and our TUS worker Herbert.
If conditions were difficult, it was not reflected in the scoring with some top class play throughout the day.
In the ladies’ section, we had a first time winner with Sandra Farrell taking the prize for the best over 10 handicap. In the ladies under 9 handicap Margaret Hennessy has been improving greatly and a week after an All-Ireland bronze medal she took top honours in this grade with a great score of 106.
In the junior grade, there was some great scoring. Seamus O'Meara a new member to the club took the final 18 prize with a fine 57. Alan Brannigan of Hillview in Clonmel was the early leader and he held on for third place. Gary O'Neill has been in great form lately and he continued his fine run to finish runner-up.
The top prize went to Brendan Shinnors who had a great day. Brendan was 4 under par for his first 36 and he played some great pitch and putt to finish on 5 under par and take the cup by two shots.
In the intermediate grade, Paul Shoer snr turned the clock back with a brilliant final round of 46 to take the final 18 prize. Dean Courtney was the early leader and he held on for third place. Brian Long was on fire in the last round to finish on 19 under par which would have taken the honours on many an occasion but Tim Crowe has been the in-form man of late and he once again turned on the style to take the cup with a tremendous score of 20 under par to give him his first Riverdale Scratch Cup.
In the senior grade, Eoghan Aylward of Hillview has a great first 36 and he took the final 18 prize with a 51. Brian Cahill has performed really well in the Munster and All-Ireland Matchplay this year and he continued his good form to take third place. Stephen O'Reilly of Hillview was a member of the Irish team that won the European championship last year and after a poor start by his standards he produced a 13 birdie round of 41 in heavy rain to race through the field and he took second place on 23 under par.
Stephen Shoer was in majestic form in the morning session shooting 20 under par for his first 36 holes. Stephen O'Reilly came close in the final round getting close but a final birdie burst saw Stephen Shoer take the Senior Cup for the third consecutive year on a score of 25 under par.
All the winners were presented with their prizes by club treasurer Sean Minogue who thanked the sponsors Ormond healthcare with Sean Crowley and Sandra Farrell in attendance. He also thanked the ladies Margaret Courtney, Siobhan Cooney, Sandra Farrell, and Cathriona Brewer who assisted with the catering throughout the day. Sean also thanked all those who assisted with cards, Margaret & Dean Courtney, Stephen Shoer and Paul Cooney. Sean also thanked everybody who assisted in any way during the way in getting the course in such great condition.
County Strokeplay Championships: will take place at Riverdale on Sunday next. There will be competition in all three grades in gents as well as Ladies competitions. The timesheet will be issued to all clubs by Wednesday but we are advised that there is a large entry this year so it again promises to be a very busy day for the club.
Club Strokeplay: It was a busy week for the club with the Club Strokeplay Championship taking place on Thursday evening. There was a great attendance of players with some top class scoring.
The senior grade saw Stephen Shoer take the honours with 16 under par ahead of another in form man Brian Cahill who was second with 10 under par.
The intermediate grade saw Tim Crowe confirm his favourites mantle with a fine score of 8 under which saw him finish two ahead of All-Ireland senior’s champion Patsy Farrell who is running in to form with the defence of his title just a few weeks away.
The junior grade saw an exciting finish with Brendan Shinnors and Gary O'Neill both finishing on one over. A 3 hole playoff took place with Brendan coming out on top.
The Ladies prize saw Margaret Forde regain her title after a one year lapse with 5 over while the best nett prize was won by Cillian Bergin who shot a brilliant 82 nett.
Competition secretary Dean Courtney presented the prizes and thanked especially Margaret for assisting with cards and Triona who provided sandwiches and biscuits for all the competitors. Dean also thanked all those who worked on the course and had it in such excellent condition.