Lynch wins and leads the qualifiers into Harry Walsh Cup
Paul Lynch won the Singles Stableford competition on July 11 and led home the 16 qualifiers for the first round of the Harry Walsh Cup which is a matchplay competition for those with a handicap index of 15.0 or above.
He produced a super round of 42pts off 21 to win by one point from Conor Marron (22) who edged out Kevin O’Connor (29) on countback after a brilliant back nine of 25pts that included a birdie at the 10th and pars at the 11th, 12th, 14th and 17th.
Lynch’s round was also impressive and his total of 42pts included nine three-point holes including seven pars.
His first par came at the first and although he dropped a shot at the next he had a bogey for three points at the index one fourth and a par for three points at the fifth. Another three pointer came from a bogey at the index three seventh and he completed the opening nine in 20pts.
He began the journey home with a three-point par at the 10th and his one pointer at the 12th was his third and final dropped shot of the round as he captured 16pts from the final six holes.
The three-point par was an immediate bounce back from the seven at the 12th and he notched back to back pars at the 15th and 16th before finishing with a par at the last to come home in 22pts for an overall score of 42pts and victory.
Gareth Duffy (3), Danny Gallagher (15) and the in-form Martin McDonnell (21) took the divisional prizes with scratch man Sean Reidy claiming the best gross score of the day with 34pts.
The win made Lynch the top seed for the Harry Walsh Cup and he will face Noel McGuinness in the opening round.
Sunday, July 11 – Singles Stableford & Harry Walsh Cup Qualifier – Overall: Paul Lynch (21) 42pts, Conor Marron (22) 41/25pts, Kevin O’Connor, Kevin (29) 41/19. Division 1: Garrett Duffy (3) 37pts, Kieran Arthurs (12) 36pts. Division 2: Danny Gallagher (15) 40, Jamie Coyle (14) 39pts. Division 3: Martin McDonnell (21) 39pts, Kevin Callan (28) 38pts. Gross Recognition: Sean Reidy (Scr) 34pts.
Harry Walsh Cup First Round Draw – Paul Lynch v Noel McGuinness, Brian Mulroy v Kevin Callan, PJ Dooley v Oliver McGinnity, Larry Curtin v Michael Begley, Martin McDonnell v Dessie Corbett, Michael Greene v Jimmy O’Connor, Gerry Campbell v Harry O’Hanrahan, Kevin O’Connor v Stephen Murphy. Matches to be played by August 9.