Templemore Lakeside Pitch & Putt

Last Sunday morning saw the completion of the 2018 Captains Prize. Heavy overnight rain made for soft conditions and low scoring. Things were very tight at the top with only a couple of shots separating Martin McCormack, Daddy Shoer, Baby Shoer and Conor Keating.
Following the first 18 however we had a clear leader when Conor Keating returned a magnificent 8 under par off a handicap of 12 to give himself a nine shot cushion. In the battle for the gross prize Michael Fennell and Ronan Loughnane also shot -8 to close in on leader Stephen Shoer.
The Ladies section was just as tight and special mention must go to Elaine Quinn who also fired -8 during her first 36 holes on Friday - easily her best ever gross 18.
After the opening 18 on Sunday she was tied with Auntie Josie with Sive Shelley lurking in the background.
Was it going to be a day for the young guns?? Well Grandad's been playing pitch and putt a long time now and shot by shot he reeled in Conor whose putter wasn't as hot in the afternoon.
He was still one clear with two to play however and his birdie attempt on 17 only missed by the width of the second hand of a clock.
A solid par on the last looked to have sealed the deal with Martin off the edge but the auld dog for the hard road and we had a six hole play-off.
Martin proved to be the stronger in extra-time and eventually landed his second Captains Prize - 34 years after his first. Wasn't he lucky he left Thurles.
Sunday was tough for young Conor but boy didn't he show some potential. Learn from this and there will be some great days ahead. Well done young man.
Elaine continued her midweek form in the final round with a fine -3 to claim the Ladies crown from Sive while Stephen Shoer's 29 under par total gave him a three shot victory over Ronan Loughnane in the gross section.
Best of luck to all those representing Tipperary at the National Inter County Championships this weekend and also a special mention to Martha O'Brien who represented Ireland against Catalonia in an International challenge in Seapoint on Tuesday.