My Golfing Weekend!

Posted on July 13th, 2009 by admin

Haven’t posted here in a few days because I was looking after my own golf game. Yesterday I played in a 36 hole Junior Scratch Cup in Carton House and was really intent on doing well. With the Junior Scratch Cup, anyone from 5-10 handicap is entitled to enter but it is based on your gross score so obviously, anyone off 5 handicap holds an advantage. I am off 7 so I knew I would need to play well to feature.

As things happened, I started great with 4 opening pars followed by a disappointing double bogey on the Index 1, 5th hole that threw me off track somewhat. However, standing on the Par 5, 15th hole, I was still only +2 and when I put my second shot to within 20y yards of the green in 2, I had a chance for birdie. A duffed chip meant I did well to settle for Par though.

Worse followed when I three putted the 16th for bogey and took a double bogey from the edge of the 17th green, again three putting. Unfortunately at this stage, the rain was beating down and the 18th cost me another bogey. +4 for my final 3 holes meant I finished my round on +6 (78), a good round but it could have been oh so much better!

So, heading into the afternoon, I reckoned I needed a 76 to have any chance of contending. A solid drive and 6 iron to the first ensured a par but bogeys on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th set me back. A good 4 iron into the 5th saw me par the index 1 and a wedge to 4ft gave me a great chance that I squandered on the 6th. A lipped putt on the 7th from 20ft for birdie and a failure to get up and down from the edge of the par 5, 8th hole, for birdie were annoying but I nevertheless made the turn in +3, which wasn’t too bad.

Coming home, it was a mix of 3 bogeys on the 11th, 12th and 14th, and 6 pars for a secondsuccessive +6 (78). I was pleased with my overall score but realise it will probably be a coulple shots too many to win the event. Nevertheless, it may be enough to sneak me a top 3 position. What’s better is that my nett scores of 71 for both rounds will be enough to get me cut back down to 6 handicap, with the course standard scratch expected to be 73 or 74.

Extremely pleased with the way I am striking the ball, I look forward next week to the pro-am event in Kilarney Golf Club, Kerry before heading to the International Father and Son in Waterville. My short game definitely needs some attention before then however so it’s hopefully back to the range this weekend.

Hope you all had a great golfing weekend