Whelan and O'Connor snatch Dublin Scratch Foursomes after a countback at Grange
Local knowledge proved crucial as Jake Whelan and Sean O’Connor teamed up to win the 36-hole Dublin Scratch Foursomes after a countback at Grange on Sunday.
O’Connor and reigning Mullingar Scratch Trophy holder Whelan followed an opening 77 on the par-71 Sheahan Course with a one-under 70 to edge out Hermitage’s Stephen Kinch and Luke Brannigan by virtue of their superior second round on five-over 147.
Powerscourt’’s David Joyce and Brian Jackson also shot 147 to finish third while the best first-round gross went to former West of Ireland championship runner-up Jack Pierse and Dylan Harbourne with a 73.
Dun Laoghaire’s Robert Abernethy and Richard Sykes took the afternoon gross with a 73 while the nett prizes went to some familiar names in Lucan’s Eoin Field and Pio O’Leary in round one and Banbridge’s Jim Carvill and Gordon Haire in round two, both with two-over 73s.
There was a high-quality entry for the Keegan, Meredith and Williams Insurances Ltd sponsored event with 54 pairs entered and players as Carvill, Alex Gleeson, Dan Holland, Paul O’Hanlon, Paul Flynn, Des Morgan, Marc Nolan and Mark Ryan all making the trip to Rathfarnham.
Dublin Scratch Foursomes, Grange (Sheahan Course, Par 71)
Sunday, 10 April, 36 Holes
Overall
Jake Whelan (Grange) & Sean O'Connor (Grange) 147 118
Stephen Kinch (Hermitage) & Luke Brannigan (Hermitage) 147 L18
David Joyce (Powerscourt) & Brian Jackson (Powerscourt) 147
Eoin Marsden (Castleknock) & Matthew Grehan (Tullamore) 148
Dan Holland (Castle) & Alex Gleeson (Castle) 149
Nett
Eoin Field (Lucan) & Pio O'Leary (Lucan) 147
1st Round
Gross
Jack Pierse (Grange) & Dylan Harbourne (Grange) 73
Nett
Oisin O'Reilly (Grange) & Charlie Hendrick (Grange) 73
2nd Round
Gross
Robert Abernethy & Richard Sykes (Dun Laoghaire) 73 (L9)
Nett
Jim Carvill & Gordon Haire (Banbridge) 73