Leinster Fourball V Headfort

On a busy but great day for the club, the Leinster men’s Fourball team took on Headfort GC on Sunday,  in between the Senior Scratch Cup and the Junior Captain's Prize.

At home, Brian Nevin and Bryan Coughlan headed into battle first and after a couple of well- earned halves in the opening holes, took control from the 3rd to open a commanding 5 shot lead by the 8th helped by consecutive birdies on the 6th and 7th, one apiece. Headfort cut to deficit to 3 by the 13th but steady golf from that point by the two boys saw them ease to a 4&3 win; no drama there so.

Up in Headfort, David Jones and Tim Savage headed out first against their top pairing, who got off to a very quick start to leave our lads 3 done after 3. However, the Sutton boys regrouped and fought back to 1 down in the early part of the back nine and hopes were rising. In fairness to the Headfort pair, they stepped on the gas again and ground out a 3&2 victory.  In essence, the fast home start was the difference on what were a tricky few opening holes. Tim and David battled all the way to the end which has typified the 4 ball campaign all season but it wasn’t to be.

All the drama was reserved for the second pair of matches. Jonathan Quinn and Malcolm Stafford, both interclub debutants this year, teed off at home against a canny and experienced Headfort pair. In a challenging wind, our men went 1-up early doors and held onto that lead until the 9th where the match went back to all square.

Across in Headfort, the brothers in law, Johnny Lappin and Rob Lyons also got off to a good start and were 1-up after the opening 3 holes.  From that point, Headfort seized the initiative  and we found ourselves 1 down at the turn. 

Meanwhile, back in Sutton, the Headfort pair had also pushed on and had established a 2 hole lead by the 12th. Looking at the scores on the doors at that point, it became increasingly likely we needed to get something out of this match and hope that Rob and Johnny could do the same up the road. Thankfully for us, the water on the 13th gobbled up 4 Headfort shots and a win was won without having to putt. 

1 down with 5 to play. 

Some fantastic scrambling pars and some clutch putts by Malcolm kept us alive coming to the 17th green. A wonderful up and down from Jonathan from the hollow in front  of Thompsons got us the par needed to go back to all square. Momentum was with us but calm heads needed. After 4 good drives, all four were greenside on the 18th and, when Headfort chipped to a foot for par, the pressure was back on. No trouble to Malcolm, who had been playing with a steely glint in his eye for about an hour at this stage,  rolled a lovely downhill 15 footer stone dead to get the par and the half. Phew!

All eyes and ears now turned to the second match in Headfort, which was being communicated brilliantly on the WhatsApp airwaves  by VC Mark, accompanied by some lovely shots of the flora and fauna of North County Meath. All square after 14 as we ordered our drinks in Sutton. Halfway through dinner we heard we had gone one down after 15. Captain Larry eased the tension by bringing the Headfort  crew on a tour of the JBCarr room, and by the time they returned, we were back to all square courtesy of a stunning bunker shot on the 16th  to two feet by Johnny. Momentum shift again.

2-all and all to play for in the final two holes.

Two outstanding tee shots from us on the 17th, with Rob securing the par to push us into the lead in the match for the first time in about 4 hours. One to go…

In the fading light, our men played it beautifully to comfortably secure the half and the match, which brought whoops of delight green-side in Headfort and bar-side in Sutton.  Once more, there was some fine golf played but it was really our calm heads and our grit and determination that won the day. Long may that continue.

Many thanks to our roving VC commentator and to the away supporters who took the long road to Headfort. And the same to our home support , always brilliant and always appreciated. Our thanks to Headfort too for a competitive match played in a great spirit. If you haven’t played their Championship course, it’s well worth a visit. 

We play Killeen Golf Club on the 14th September in the semi-final and we look forward to that very much indeed.

Home team

Away team