Agonising defeat for the Irish Mixed Foursomes Team on the 19th Hole in the final match at Bellewstown, to lose 3:2.

Lady Luck was certainly missing for SGC in the last 30 minutes of this game in Belllewstown as numerous putts just failed to drop.

Earlier the two home pairings had comprehensive wins in Sutton with Shane  McGlynn and Gail McDermot winning 5&3 and the Speed Merchants Paddy Lennon & Nicola Hunter winning 8&6. Paddy and Nicola also won by 9&7 in 2022 against Skerries. Clearly this pairing focus on getting the matches finished quickly. (P.S. Paddy always says that he is busy at work and hence needs to rush).

Shane and Paddy certainly have become Team Strongholds as regards producing Home Victories over recent years. WELL DONE AGAIN.

The away venue in Bellewstown was a different test to Sutton in many ways, namely Hilly, Long, Wet in places, Horses looking in from both sides of the Par 3 second hole and difficult to read greens. The course was even a test for the supporters who followed the matches. 

First out were Sam Kelly and Òrna Cassidy who were giving 3 shots to the locals. This pairing fought bravely and were playing catch up midway through the back 9 and despite their best efforts eventually lost 3&2. Bad luck with some strategically placed trees, blocking out some shots did not help them.

The second pairing was the cool and calm Husband and Wife team of Kieran & Leona O’Byrne, who bravely remained in contention on the first 9, before sneaking ahead midway through the back 9 and looked to be in a strong position with three holes to go, but the Bellewstown pairings produced telling putts on 16 and 17 to take a one hole lead.
On the 18th Hole Leona’s putt to bring the match up the 19th, missed by the narrowest of margins, How Cruel can this game be at times.

Luke O’Reilly (Fresh from his 2nd place finish in the Lucan Junior Cup on Sunday) and Karen Keogh made up the final pairing. What an Entertaining / Undulating (Pardon the Pun) and eventually Frustrating game we observed here. After sharing wins on Holes 1 & 2, Luke sent an enormous drive up the RHS of the long 3rd hole, out over a bunker and despite spectators hearing the ball land it was never located. Karen now had to face the long walk back (Sorry, by agreement with the opposition Buggy Ride back to the Men’s tee) and duly gave it her all to get the ball back up the fairway as far as possible. An amusing aspect for those looking for the ball was when Luke focused his Laser to the group back on the tee said “ It’s only 265 yards from here, my ball must be much further on than this”.  Bellewstown were 2 Up after 4 in this game.

The golf in this game was close  and tight with a few “blips” along the way and doomsday appeared to be approaching when Bellewstown were 3 Up with four to play. However Luke & Karen dug deep and produced Wins on 15,16 & 17 to bring the match to All Square. The Spectators and Irish Mixed Team WhatsApp group were tense at this stage as updates on progress were posted instantaneously. The 18th holes was shared in 5’s and the 19th hole beckoned.  A short interval for Convenience Breaks, Additional Food, Borrowing more Buggies and general calming down, took place before the 19th Hole Tee Off.

There was all forms of excitement on the 19th hole, Bellewstown contemplated playing a Provisional Ball but the supporters confirmed ball was ok on the RHS. Luke produced a long drive up the RHS. Bellewstown Ball was in a poor position in the rough and was advanced about 90 yards.  Karen produced an excellent shot from over 150 yards to the elevated green.  The 3rd shot from Bellewstown from 150 yards ended up 5 feet from the pin. Unbelievably Karen’s shot had run through the green and up about 6 feet onto an upslope, Luke played a delicate chip which rolled and rolled to the front fringe about 20 feet from the pin. Karen’s putt for a par stopped about a foot short. Jean Gogarty Bellewstown Lady Captain then calmly rolled in the 5 footer for a Home Win.

It was an unfortunate way to lose, with Sutton certainly looking to be in a good position after the drives on the 19th, but Lady Luck certainly was not looking down on us.
Well Done to Bellewstown who fought hard for their win.

Thank You to the Irish Mixed Panel who put so much effort into preparing for this match and in particular to all 10 players who played their hearts out at home and away. If there are any lessons to be learned, it is the difference between playing links and parkland courses at this time of the year (especially wet courses), and indeed the different types of shots / approach required. The underfoot conditions were not good in places (Manager’s buggy even got stuck on the 19th fairway and needed some Pulling Power assistance from Sam Kelly to move). See picture below!

We can only learn for next year, and consider how best to meet challenges like this on inland courses.

Finally thank you to all the spectators, both home and away who came out to support our team. It is much appreciated. Your voices and encouragement helped. Thank you also to Mark Hogan (Construction Guarantee) Sponsors of the newly announced Premier Panel in SGC, for supplying PRO V golf balls for the Lady Players who played against Bellewstown, alongside the Premier Panel men.