Hot on the heels of our GC Team’s successful foray at Carrickmines for the European GC Clubs League, I found myself back in Dublin for the County Championships. I entered the 4 competitions I was eligible for (including the plate).
Brimming with confidence due to partnering the Tournament Manager, Huw Spiers, in the Alternate Shot Doubles, we could not get going in the Draw, but were gifted a walkover in the Process, due to illness. This was to be our only doubles victory as we were easily vanquished in the Semis by a couple of good high handicappers.
On to the Boxwell Cup, a handicap singles competition with 4 blocks, the winners of which progress to the semi finals. I won my first match, after which my opponent pulled out due to illness, making the match void. Fortunately I won my last 2 matches and progressed to the semi-final, where I frittered away a couple of bisques too easily and lost to the eventual winner, Russell Harris by 26 – 20.
By Sunday, I had completed my matches in the USCA Cooler, Level Play SIngles and was scheduled to play the final at 13.30. After my semi-final defeat in the morning, there was no room for error and I duly ran out the winner by 23 – 5.
Lawns were in very good condition. Weather was changeable. Great facilities. Tournament very ably run by Huw Spiers, who I hope will continue our doubles partnership in the Irish Championships in August. There was one other English based winner, Jane O’Neill, who is a member at Hurlingham. She won the Duff Matthews Cup for Advanced Level Play Singles.
A great weekend spent in great company. Ten 3 hour matches in four days is pretty gruelling. As a result the Plate consisted of just 1 match, which Jane O’Neill also won
David
