Aidan aces it in Kildare PITCH AND PUTT

JUST AFTER the second anniversary of his move to join Ryston Pitch and Putt Club in Newbridge, Enniscorthy’s Aidan Whelan marked the occasion by winning the prestigious Captain’s prize over the tricky Co. Kildare course which only a few weeks earlier had hosted the national Senior inter-county championships, the highlight of the pitch and putt year.

The current club Captain opted to run his prize over a seven-day period, with members allowed to play as many rounds as they wished in that time, with the overall winners being decided on the best 36-hole nett score, with the same rules applying to the lady members.

Aidan made the 120-mile round trip on three occasions during that week, and it was on his third visit that he recorded the score which was to give him the honour of taking the overall prize.

Playing in a twoball with club Chairman and former All-Ireland champion Andy Dempsey, he shot a fantastic round of ten under par 44.

This added to an earlier two under 52 to give him a nett score of 82 when his handicap of seven was taken into account, some 26 shots under par for the two rounds.

This was easily good enough to take the overall prize when the rest of the scores were collated, and as a result his handicap has been reduced to six, losing a full shot under the new national handicap system.

His nett score of 37 for that round is also a new nett record for the Ryston course following recent alterations to it which included all new tee-boxes, the creation of several new bunkers, and the lengthening of the second hole.

The presentation of prizes will take place at the club’s premises in early November at the Captain’s night which will be jointly hosted by both Captains.