Fingal and East Meath Pitch & Putt Champions 2020

The competition took place over three evenings with staggered tee-times, shot-gun starts and a league table of accumulated points was collated each evening after play. Ringcommons entered three teams in the competition, with a team from Ballyboughal, Bellewstown and Skerries also represented. 

The teams played in pairs with eight players from each team playing a different course each night. On the final night in Ringcommons three teams had a chance of becoming champions.  By the end of play both Ballyboughal and Bellewstown had accumulated eight points in total and a three-hole pay off among two pairs from each team was played.

Ballyboughal pair Alan Carroll Capt. and Jimmy Browne went one up after Bellewstown missed their two putts to halve their match. The second playoff pairings saw Bellewstown one up going to the 18th when Noel Dunne Ballyboughal made a great tee shot which was birdied by Peter Moore with the final putt to halve that playoff pairings and resulted in Ballyboughal winning the game. 

Ballyboughal, this year’s Fingal & East Meath Pitch & Putt Champions, took home the cup for the second time since this competition started in 2015. It was a double celebration for the competition winners Ballyboughal Pitch & Putt Club as they are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. 

Mayor of Fingal Cllr David Healy said: “Congratulations to Ballyboughal Pitch and Putt Club on both winning the competition and reaching their 50th anniversary this year. I would also like to commend Fingal Sports Office who have done such tremendous work during this year with some innovative and creative ideas such as the Fingal Digifit Series and other online initiatives.”

Speaking about the competition Caitríona Geraghty, Sports Development Officer and Co-founder of the competition with Ballyboughal’s Ronnie Delaney, commented: “Ronnie was determined that the competition took place in some format and we are delighted to support him in Fingal Sports Office. The format was adapted so it could proceed while adhering to the PPUI, HSE and Fingal Sport Office’s Guidelines on the Return to Play.”  

Margaret Geraghty Director of Services Housing and Community said: “I recognise the huge importance of sport and community in people’s lives and we are committed to facilitating a Return to Play while adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines.  It is a good news story that this competition could go ahead and I congratulate Ballyboughal both on their win and on reaching the milestone of 50 years in existence.”

Ring Common chairman Tom McHale complemented Fingal County Council’s support for such a prestigious competition in the pitch & Putt calendar and was delighted the final was held at the Ring Commons sports ground.

In summing up the presentations Ronnie Delaney was very grateful for the support of the competition which is aimed to further promote the game of Pitch & Putt within the Fingal & East Meath area and he thanked Kit Callaghan and Jimmy Caul of Ring Commons, Oliver Plunkett from Bellewstown and Gerry Levins from the Skerries team for a very sporting competition.

The winning Ballyboughal Team were Peter Moore, Ronnie Delaney, Nick Savage, Noel Dunne, Alan Carroll Capt., Eddie Madden, Breda Finnegan, Jimmy Browne, James Browne & Tommy McCann.

 Other prizes:

• Nearest the pin in the first round Peter Moore Ballyboughal.
• Nearest the pin in the 2nd round Leo Gibney Bellewstown
• Nearest the Pin in the Final Richard 'Bross' Kiernan Ring Common A.
• Hole in one in first round on the 12th Richard 'Bross' Kiernan Ring Common A.