Super support for popular Jim Murphy Memorial Junior Open
THE Jim Murphy Memorial Junior Open took place on Monday, July 24, in Wicklow Golf Club. The weather was great with blue skies and sun for most of the day!
Around 80 boys and girls, aged 20 or under, took part in the popular competition with the first three ball heading out around 10am under the watchful eyes of starters John Finlay and John Doyle.
Once all the 18-hole competitors had teed off a group of Wicklow boys played a nine-hole competition.
Competitors arrived from many different clubs and there were many stories of woe from the players throughout the day.
However, there were plenty of good scores too with Stephen Kenny leading the field on 42 points.
Jim would have been proud to see two of his grandsons in the prizes – Alex Porter came third while Luke Murphy won the U20 category.
A team competition takes place in conjunction with the main event and this is kindly sponsored each year by Philip Monaghan, a native Wicklow man who now lives in England.
The winners of the team event were The Old Timers +1 from Wicklow GC with a total of 115.
The team was made up of Alex Porter, Conor Lincoln, Thomas McKeon and Hugh Bradshaw.
This is the last year that Alex, Conor and Thomas are eligible to play.
It was great to see them in the winner’s enclosure for the final time. Well done lads and thanks for your support over the years!
The presentation took place a short time later with short speeches from Martin and Brian Murphy and Captain of Wicklow Golf Club, Tony Michaels.
The main prize winners were:
1st: Stephen Kenny, Blainroe/ Wicklow (24) 42 points; 2nd: Adam Cullen, Wicklow (22) 41 points (c/b); 3rd: Alex Porter, Wicklow (20) 41 points (c/b); Gross: Niall Dowd, Wicklow (6) 34 points; 4th: Scott Sheridan, Wicklow (28) 41 points; 5th: Conor Lincoln, Wicklow (12) 40 points (c/b).
Under-20: Luke Murphy (8), Wicklow GC 35 points (c/b); Under-17 Mark Nicholson (27), Wicklow GC 37 points; Under-14 Conor Leonard (13) Blainroe GC 37 points (c/b); Girls: Caitlin Farrelly, Woodenbridge GC 29 points (last 6); Wicklow: Niall Murphy 42 points; 9-hole: Conor Coffey 18 points.