Anton reflects on the West
CAPTAIN Anton Murphy this week paid tribute to all those who made this year’s West of Ireland Open Championship an outstanding success.
Anton was appreciative of compliments from the players on the standard of the course. “It reflects hugely on the great work done by Graeme Beatt and the team. Many commented on how well the course was presented, the quality of the greens and the course in general.”
He was particularly enthused by the success of the Wednesday pre-qualifier for the Radisson Blu sponsored championship. Now in its second year, he said that the demand from would-be entrants was so strong that it was becoming an integral part of the tournament.
The leading scorer in the pre-qualifier was 17-year-old David Brady who finished his round and then joined the divot squad to prepare the course for the tournament. David followed this up with a course record equalling 64.
Anton said: “We are used to watching top class competition in the West but to see so many of our guys out there adds a whole new dimension to our interest. With the talent we have at senior golf level in the Club I’m really hopeful of a West winner in the near future.”
The club had seven members competing with Steffan O’Hara reaching the quarter-finals. Their scores — along with some former members — are given below.
Anton also paid tribute to the members who volunteered their help.
Round one: Gary McDermott lost to John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead) one hole; Mark Morrissey lost to Des Morgan (Mullingar) one hole; Daniel Holland (Castle) lost to Declan Reidy 4/3; Shaun Carter (Stackstown) lost to Alex Gleeson one hole; Barry Anderson beat Barry Daly (Edmondstown) 2/1; Steffan O’Hara beat Sean Maloney (Dunmurry Springs) 7/5; Sean Flanagan lost to Gary Collins (Rosslare) one hole; David Brady beat John Greene (Portmarnock) 3/2.
Round two: Declan Reidy lost to Richard O’Donovan (Lucan) 4/3; Alex Gleeson lost ro Dermot McElroy 3/2;Barry Anderson (Royal Co Dublin) lost to Steffan O’Hara 3/1; Conor O’Rourke (Naas) beat David Brady 19th hole.
Round three: Steffan O’Hara beat Richard Bridges (Stackstown) 2/1.
Round four: Steffan O’Hara lost to Reeve Whitson (Mourne) 5/3.
Selected stroke scores (cut 148):
137 Steffan O’Hara (-1.0) 68, 69
140 Gary McDermott (-2.3) 70, 70
141 Barry Anderson (-1.7) 69, 72
142 Sean Flanagan (-0.3) 72, 70
143 Mark Morrissey (-0.1) 71, 72; David Brady (0.8) 64, 79
144 Alex Gleeson (-0.8) 71, 73
146 Declan Reidy (0.3) 78, 68
149 Stephen Brady (0.8) 77, 73; Serryth Heavey (1.4) 75, 74
