Tom McKibbin

Holywood’s Tom McKibbin proved his credentials in Blarney yesterday when he shot a 69 to win the Munster Boys Under 16 Championship.  McKibbin finished on 141, three shots clear of the field.  The two handicapper was the only golfer to break par on day two, and that was thanks to three birdies at the start of the back nine.  With no one else threatening, McKibbin know he had the control over the competition heading into the final three holes.  McKibbin showed maturity coming down the last, with water and out of bounds surrounding the green, he chose to lay up.  What resulted was his second bogey of the day but even with that he still finished three shots clear of the field.  Overnight leader Jack Brown (The Heath) finished day two with a 77 to claim second place (144) and Eoin McGrath (Athlone) was third, he had the best of three scores on 146.  Scott Miller (Clandeboye) was fourth and Keaton Morrison (Holywood) was fifth, both finishing on 146.  Muskerry’s Fionn Hickey was the best of the Munster golfers, he took sixth place with 147.

Gallery: Munster Boys 16 Championship

Munster Golf Chairman Jim Long thanked everyone involved with Blarney including Captain Gary O’Donovan and President Paul O’Neill.  He said the course was in great condition and that the contribution of everyone was essential for the smooth running of the Championship.  He also thanked Munster Junior Convenor Kevin Murray, referees Phil Cooney and Jim Nolan and Junior Golf Administrator Margaret Sugrue for another very successful Munster Championship.

This was the first time that the Under 16 Championship was held over 36 holes and the new format was welcomed by all of the golfers.  A full field of 150 golfers took part in the first 18 holes with the top 50 qualifying for the second day.  The next event on the Munster Junior Golf calendar is the first round of the Irish Junior Foursomes which take place at eight separate venues later this week.