The Fred Perry team suffered an agonising 18th hole defeat in the final match against Corballis Links. Blustery winds accompanied by a few showers added to the excitement in both locations. With three matches away, it was always going to be a difficult task for the team.

First game to finish was Match 1 in Sutton where Mark Logan and Noel O’Halloran were in a hurry to get the game out of the way and played excellent golf to win 6&5. Mark got the match finished as quickly as he dismissed his flu like symptoms of the previous day.

Match 2 in Corballis ended on the 15th when Pat Lyons and Michael O’Halloran lost to a very strong 5 and 22 handicap partnership. The scoring damage was caused by the 22 handicapper having “too many pars”.

Third match to finish was Match 1 in Corballis where 84 year old Joey Dignam with a playing handicap of 5 speedily went around the course and led Corballis to a win on the 18th against the much younger Sutton pairing of Declan O’Callaghan & Cathal Saunders. A very high standard of golf was evident in this game.

Tony Higgins and Willie O’Byrne put in a fantastic performance in the final game in Corballis and won convincingly 3&2. This first time pairing showed all their match play experience and resilience to bring about the win.

Score at this stage was Corballis Links 2 - Sutton 2.

All attention then passed to the final match in Sutton which was on the 13th hole. Both teams in Corballis stood by the 18th green waiting for updates from Sutton. Sutton were ahead, Corballis came back at them and it was all square after 15. After the 16th hole confusion reigned in Corballis, Telephone Conversations said Sutton were 1Up, the scoring app said Corballis were 1Up. It was finally confirmed that Corballis had birdied 16 to go 1 up. By the time the match was on the 17th green the group in Corballis were standing in the rain in the car park awaiting a scoring update.

The renowned Sutton Roving Reporter Ronan O’Driscoll was was put on speaker phone, and advised that Corballis were still one up after 17. Ronan then gave a blow for blow description of the drives on 18, it was advantage Sutton after the drives. The tension was unbearable and the convoy of cars left Corballis to return to Sutton, hoping for some 19th hole drama.

Alas, as the convoy passed Portmarnock Railway Station the word came through that Sutton failed to win the 18th and victory went to Corballis by 3 matches to 2. The Sutton pairing of Michael Crimin and Joseph Comyn tried their best but it was not to be.

Well Done to Corballis on their victory.

Many Thanks to Brian Nevin (In Sutton) and David Jones (In Corballis) for looking after the team and liaising with the opposition on the day, your efforts are much appreciated.

This ends the Fred Perry journey for 2022, many thanks to all the team / panel and supporters for your assistance throughout the year. Next year we might have a few new Over 55s eligible to join this grouping. Isn’t that right Ronan!!.

Regards.

Michael O’Halloran & David Jones