Draws for Kingdom Challenge Shields

The draw for the 2018 Senior & Intermediate Kingdom Challenge Shields was made at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee on Thursday evening last at which seven of the county’s clubs were represented.

In the Senior Shield, Ross, Tralee, Killorglin and Castlegregory all received byes into the second round while the first-round pairings are as follows:

(A) Ballybunion versus Ring of Kerry

(B) Waterville versus Kenmare, (C) Castleisland versus Dooks, (D) Ceann Sibeal versus Killarney

In round two, the winners of (A) are at home to Ross, the winners of (B) are at home to Tralee, the winners of (C) are at home to Killorglin and the winners of (D) are at home to Castlegregory.

All first-round matches must be completed by April 8th while all round two games must be completed by April 29th.

In the Intermediate Shield the draw for the opening round is as follows:

(A) Castlegregory versus Castlerosse

(B) Parknasilla versus Kenmare (C) Killarney versus Beaufort (D) Ballybunion versus Waterville

(E) Tralee versus Ross

(F) Ring of Kerry versus Dooks (G) Killorglin versus Ceann Sibeal

(H) Ballyheigue versus Castleisland

In round two, the winners of (A) play the winners of (B), the winners of (C) play the winners of (D), the winners of (E) play the winners of (F) and the winners of (G) play the winners of (H)

All round one matches must be completed by April 15th while all the round two games must be completed by May 13th.

The rules for both competitions are:

1. Players must be members of county Kerry golf clubs

2. Teams to consist of 6 players playing fourball better ball matchplay over 18 holes, with the match results aggregated. If both teams have the same aggregate score after the 3 pairs have each played 18 holes, then the 3rd pairing on the entry sheet will continue on a sudden death basis.

3. Senior team players Handicap limit 0 to 9, (Maximum handicap allowance to any player is 4 shots.)

4. Intermediate team players Handicap 10 to 16, (Maximum handicap allowance to any Player is 4 shots.)

5. Players play off their Handicap on that day (i.e. Their Golf Net Handicap of that day.)

6. There are no restrictions re age.

7. Finals will be over 2 legs, with 3 matches at home and 3 away. All other matches will be one leg only, with the top team in the draw having home venue.

8. The Senior Kingdom Shield is to be played from the Back Championship tee boxes.

9. The Intermediate Kingdom Shield is to be played from the White Medal tee boxes.

10. Home clubs to provide match referees

11. Away teams to have one practice round.

12. In the event of matches not having been played by the round ‘play by’ date, for whatever reason, the committee reserve the right to fix the date, time and venue of the un-played match(s).

13. All decisions taken by the committee are final.

The shields were introduced a number of years back by Pat O’Dwyer and are a great way for clubs to prepare for the forthcoming GUI Cups & Shields which begin in late May.