McNamara wins at Lee Valley

By Niall O’Shea

Headfort’s Rory McNamara won the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup over the weekend, and added his name to a prestigious list of past winners.  Reigning champion Gary O’Flaherty was in the running right up to the end.  He held the joint lead with McNamara as they both finished on -2 after Saturday’s 36 holes.  They were the only golfers to break par as strong winds tested everyone on Saturday.  Pat Murray was next best with +2 giving the two leaders a big advantage over the field.  Sunday’s early play was uneventful, with never more than one shot between McNamara and O’Flaherty.  Pat Murray picked up two shots but remained two behind the leaders.  The par five 15^th was decisive however, O’Flaherty found trees on the left and lost momentum as he came out sideways.  He was on the green in four but two putts left him with a bogey.  McNamara delivered a very tidy approach from 100 yards and made the six-footer for birdie.  The two shot swing was reduced on the next hole as McNamara bogeyed the tricky par 3 after three putts.  All three golfers parred the long par four 17^th.  McNamara effectively closed out the contest with an impressive 165 yard approach to the final green.  He sank the four foot putt to close out for birdie and take the title by three shots.  He finished on 213 strokes for the 54 holes competition, three under par.

Waterford’s Eanna Griffin was second on level par, he beat Gary O’Flaherty on the countback.  A bogey on the last cost the reigning champion the runners up spot.  Limerick’s Pat Murray was fourth one shot behind.  Lee Valley’s young star Greg O’Mahony led the home interest and Monkstown’s Nick Moore took the net Prize.  Muskerry’s Dave O’Donovan shot the low score of the weekend on Saturday afternoon with a 68.  He will regret a loose first round score of 82, although a closing round of 71 saw him get a place in the prizes.

McNamara has joined an elite band of former amateurs.  Both Shane Lowry and Rory Leonard won in Lee Valley prior to turning professional, and the omens are good for the Headfort golfer as he heads to Co Sligo to defend his West of Ireland title.

Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup (Sponsored by Mardyke Arena)

1. Rory McNamara, Headfort (+3)                     213 (-3)
2. Eanna Griffin, Waterford (+1)                                    216 (0)
3. Gary O’Flaherty, Cork (+3)                            216 (0)
4. Pat Murray, Limerick (+3)                              217 (+1)
5. David O’Donovan, Muskerry (0)                    221 (+5)
6. Jeff Hopkins, Royal Dublin (+2)                     221 (+5)

Best Nett Nick Moore, Monkstown

Best Lee Valley: Greg O’Mahony