Thornton proves too strong and emerges as top qualifier for Harry Walsh Cup
Hugh Thornton won the Singles Stableford competition held over the Easter weekend at Dundalk Golf Club and also led the 16 qualifiers for the Harry Walsh Cup, a matchplay competition for the club’s high handicappers.
Playing off 29, Thornton amassed a total of 42pts despite failing to score at the first and 13th. He had four-point pars at seventh, ninth and 15th and also managed three point returns at the fourth, eighth, 11th, 12th and 17th as he went out in 22pts and home in 20pts.
In the end he had two points to spare over Ken Lynch (15) and Laurence O’Hanlon (16) who both finished on 40pts with Lynch taking second place on countback.
Com Garvey (20) also finished on 20pts but he lost out on a podium place through countback and had to settle for taking the Division 3 honours ahead of John McEneaney. Paul O’Callaghan (11) and Gerry O’Keefe (150 were the other divisional winners while Conor Curran with 37pts recorded the best gross score of the competition.
Friday, April 15, Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 – Singles Stableford & Harry Walsh Cup Qualifier – Overall: Hugh Thornton (29) 42pts, Ken Lynch (15) 40/21pts, Laurence O’Hanlon (16) 40/20pts. Division 1: Paul O’Callaghan (11) 39pts, Barry Cunningham (9) 38pts. Division 2: Gerry O’Keeffe (15) 39pts, Kieran Reidy (19) 38pts. Division 3: Colm Garvey (20) 40/19pts, John McEneaney (23) 38pts. Gross Recognition: Conor Curran (0) 37pts.
Joseph Laverty 35pts. Juvenile: James Lawrence 37pts.
Harry Walsh Cup First Round Draw – Hugh Thornton v Adrian Kenny, Colm Garvey v Ronan Dennedy, Kieran Reidy v Noel Crowe, Michael McKevitt v Simon Ryan, Michael McNamara v Patrick Wadding, Conor McClenaghan v Paul Morgan, John McEneaney v Ciaran McAteer, Laurence O’Hanlon v Brendan Tinnelly. Ties to be played off green tees.