WILLIE PARKER INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE - SECOND SUCCESSIVE SUCCESS FOR IRELAND
The final result at R.G.S.C. was 30.5 to 9.5 so Ireland have retained the Willie Parker Challenge Cup. Ireland won the closing set of Sunday foursomes by 4-1, Patrick Luning and Rolf Kwant again supplying the Dutch point with a one hole win over Sean Downes and Ian Farrelly. The match was contested in a fine sporting spirit before a reasonably-sized gallery. Those who braved the cold, albeit dry conditions were treated to Pitch and Putt of outstanding quality. The overall atmosphere was absolutely true to the Pitch and Putt ethos espoused by the illustrious man whose memory is honoured by the trophy. The III Willie Parker Challenge Cup will be played in Holland in 2010.
For final results click here...
.
Ireland increased their lead after the Sunday morning Fourballs. Patrick Luning continued his winning ways when he and his partner Rolf Kwant defeated Irish pair Derek Courtney (the winning captain) and Sean Downes 6 & 4. However that was Ireland's only loss. Ian Farrelly and Paul O'Brien had an easy win over Lennart Swennenhuis and Henk-rik Koetsier by 7 & 6. The all-lady combination of Ger Ward and Tara Dillon beat Karl Bergh and Jenno Wolters 3 & 2. Sean Goggin and James Carroll along with Ray Murphy and Frank Dineen had matching 4&3 wins to increase Ireland's lead to 19 - 6.
At the close of day One at R.G.S.C., Ireland held a healthy ten point advantage with twenty more points available on Sunday. A 5-0 home win in the afternoon foursomes appears to have given Ireland an unassailable lead. The Dutch had threatened to make it a very close finish when they took four of the Saturday singles. Patrick Luning beat Ireland's No. 1 Ray Murphy. Another member of Ireland's World Cup winning trio Paul O'Brien fell to Lennart Swennenhuis. Henk-Rik Koetsier defeated the winner of Friday's Willie Parker Challenge, Sean Goggin while Rolf Mulder just edged out Geraldine Ward.
Ireland led by 4 matches to 1 after the Saturday fourballs. Rolf Kwant and Patrick Luning were the only Dutch winners, defeating Dubliners Derek Courtney and Geraldine Ward by 3&2 in the top match.
Sean Goggin (Cement, Drogheda), who made his international debut in the following Ireland v. Holland international, won the coveted blue jacket for the Willie Parker Challenge individual event on Friday 31 October. The twenty players for the weekend's Ireland v. Holland international match along with team managers Joep Van Mourik and Paddy Browne played a 36 hole strokeplay pipeopener at R.S.S.C. near Dublin. Sean Goggin fired a superb second round 44 for a thirteen under par 95 aggregate. Goggin finished two shots clear of reigning champion Paul O'Brien (Lakeside, Templemore), who won the inaugural event at Papendal, Holland two years ago. Dutchman Rolf Kwant finished third on 98.
TEAMS
IRELAND
Sean Goggin
Paul O'Brien
Ray Murphy
Sean Downes
Derek Courtney
Geraldine Ward
Tara Dillon
Ian Farrelly
Frank Dineen
James Carroll
HOLLAND
Patrick Luning
Rolf Kwant
Henk Rik Koetsier
Rinus Huberts
Renze Hasper
Jenno Wolters
Jos Mentink
Rolf Mulder
Karl Bergh
Lennart Swennenhuis
|
