Mount Juliet, the demanding, beautifully manicured parkland course just outside Thomastown in Co Kilkenny, provided a resplendent setting for the Mitsubishi Motors/Irish Times Ladies Masters finals last Friday. The overcast, muggy conditions, with little more than a zephyr to trouble the competitors, offered perfect golfing weather and this was reflected in the scoring.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course boasts a championship pedigree and therefore not easily subdued but the finalists made a decent fist of mastering their surroundings. Twenty-one players had come through from a field of 120 at a pre-qualifying event at Glasson (those who had made it to the Athlone venue had already qualified through their respective clubs).
The competitors were very much left to their own devices as a rule change denied the use of caddies in the second year of the tournament. It did not prove a particular hardship for anyone and indeed several players pointed out that it guaranteed greater rapport between the golfers.
Majella Brady, an 11-handicapper from Cavan Golf Club, proved victorious, her 36 points an excellent effort. She conceded that she was somewhat stunned by her success. "I was very surprised when I was told that I had won. At no stage did I think about winning.
"When you get 21 good golfers who come through two qualification events in terms of their club and then at Glasson, you expect good scoring. The only thing that I said to myself beforehand was that I was going to try and score on every hole. I was also hoping that I wouldn't stray into too many bunkers because I'm not a great bunker player.
"I did put it in a bunker at the 10th but managed to escape. The start to the back nine was a little haphazard but a par on the 12th really settled me down. I was furious with myself at the 17th because I threw away a point. I hit a drive and five-wood to be a nine-iron away but came up short. I then chipped over the back of the green, chipped back and missed the putt to take seven. Fortunately I managed a five at the last."
The pharmacist, who works in Cavan General Hospital, singled out her driving as the key to success, a fact supported by winning the longest drive competition. She also paid tribute to lessons received from Ciaran Carroll, the professional at Cavan, and to the club's success in the Ulster section of the Ulster Bank Foursomes.
In summing up her feelings she acknowledged: "I think we have been treated superbly, firstly at Glasson and now at Mount Juliet and for that I would like to offer sincere thanks to The Irish Times and Mitsubishi Motors. Everybody will be killing themselves to take part next year. I would also like to thank Fionagh (leading qualifier at Glasson) and Pat (second at Glasson) for making it such an enjoyable day on and off the course."
The presence of Christy O'Connor Jnr contributed hugely to the occasion. He waited patiently on the 10th tee as each group went through offering a little advice, cajoling gently and adding a large dollop of fun to the proceedings. Rita Mulvihill, a 16-handicapper from Fermoy who finished second on 35 points, summed up Christy's contribution to the day thus: "I thought he was very amiable and patient.
"He added to what was a wonderful occasion. He didn't interfere, just offered a little advice and helped us all to relax."
Rita proved a very popular competitor, not least for her musical ability that she displayed to the great enjoyment of all, tinkling the ivories until the small hours. Back playing only two years after an 11-year timeout, during which time she ran the Mount Eagle House Bed and Breakfast in Fermoy, she just missed out on a possible win when lipping out at the last.
Her introduction to the sport came by way of pitch and putt at which she was an accomplished player and this was reflected in her enjoyment of fast greens at Mount Juliet. The Limerick-born (Foynes) woman thoroughly enjoyed her experience. "It was a great day, the people were so friendly and it was great to be able to get to play a place like Mount Juliet."
