Jimmy Bruen V Portmarnock
(J Bruen is combined WHI of 14)
Sutton advance to Quarterfinal with top quality displays of foursomes golf against our neighbours Portmarnock. Our 4 pairings were in control early in a very solid victory
The home team were up against two very strong Portmarnock (PGC) partnerships. First up, a seasoned and experienced pairing dispatched to Cush Point to compete against Ben Logan & Neville Firth. Match number saw two talented youth combinations battle it out from both sides, with Donnacha Butler and Gavin Fitzgerald representing SGC.
From the first hole, the Sutton men were down to business taking early leads in both matches and were never down in either match. One shot at a time, one hole at a time and never lose focus. Ben & Neville combined strongly which was required against a strong PGC challenge. Having been 2 up mid-way through the front 9 the match was clawed back to all-square. The Sutton men dug deeply to go dormie three up with some superb play. Dormie 2 after PGC won 16 was followed by a huge drive by Ben on 17. The drive was cruelly punished as it resided in a large unfilled divot with no option but to take took two shots to reach the green. PGC made par and a sensational long put from Neville fell squarely into the hole for par and seal the match.
Donnacha and Gavin were relentless with some monstrous drives, delicate chips and puts keeping them in control throughout the match. The killer blow being a 15+ feet putt by Donnacha on the 13th hole to put Sutton dormie 5 for the match. A superb tee shot found the middle of the green on the 14th, requiring only a tap in par and a victorious shake of hands.
Both matches were played in great spirit with our visitors very complimentary of the warm hospitality and welcome they received at Sutton.
Meanwhile we sent 2 solid pairings out to the venerable surroundings of Portmarnock where we also received a warm welcome and hospitality. First up were James Bowen and Jack O’Gorman in our Away games against an experienced PGC pair. James and Jack immediately gelled to play with youthful experience, using powerful driving and precise approach shots to ramp up the pressure on PGC. The pressure started to tell and the 9 th was a highlight with an exceptional birdie 3 to allow J&J go 2 up.
Niall McNamara and Ken Moore were our 2 nd pair and looked completely unruffled by the challenge (Ken’s hair always looks unruffled in fairness). It was nip and tuck on front 9 and we turned all square. But we were settling into speed of greens and slowly started to exert pressure on the experienced PGC pair who started to dislike their bunkers.
Word of 2 matches won in Sutton came across the estuary to Portmarnock shores and the results we needed arrived for both pairs on 16 in PGC. Jack and James were 3up and had the luxury of a short range 2 putt/take 2 for par on the green on 16 for their win. Meanwhile Niall and Ken arrived greenside on 16 also in a 2up position and not needing to finish out as the overall match was decisively in Sutton’s favour.
Our men played with real skill and intent from the outset and were full value for the win!! We now play either Laytown or Headfort in Quarter Final– lets keep it going!
The purposeful intent on 1st tee in Sutton and 4 hours later, the smiles of contentment from the away bomb squad in Portmarnock locker room after dismantling PGC.