'Excellent' Stackallen stages Meath Strokeplay showdowns

PITCH & PUTT Sport facing its own challenges

There was clearly no shortage of composure and commitment on display at the Meath County Strokeplay Championships at Stackallen recently. Each category proved to be highly competitive with those who ended up winners no doubt deserving their prizes - and praise.

As well as the competitors there was also praise for those involved in maintaining the course at Stackallen Tennis and Pitch & Putt club. The course was described as "excellent" for the chamionships by Meath Pitch & Putt PRO Stephen McCabe.

“The Stackallen coures is always in great conditon regardless of what’s on,” he added.

In the senior gents category in the Strokeplay Championships Eamon Gibney from Castletown claimed top price while Paddy Kelly from the Trim club was second.

In the Ladies section the 0-10 winner was Bridie Cummings from the Trim club while runner-up was Oldcastle's Margaret Reilly. Christine Morgan from Dunshaughlin was the 11-21 winner while the runners-up spot was taken by Ann Moran from the Stackallen club. Stackallen's Willo NcNally did well to take victory in the Intermediate Gents category. He edged out runner-up John Meade from Navan while in the junior section John Gilsenan from Trim proved best. He got the better of Sean Downes Junior from the home club.

Jamie Brannigan who plays out of Bellestown took the main prize in the Junior B Gents section while Paddy Bird from Laytown was second.

While pitch & putt is enjoyed by many in Meath Stephen McCabe ponts out that the game faces it’s share of challenges. “We’e always seeking to get more younger players in to help and keep the clubs running. Golf is very popular among the younger generation. It’s up to each club to try and get as many young playes in as possible.

“That’s a major challenge but finance is also an issue. Most clubs if they are not a private club would be relying on green fees.

“My own club, Castletown for example, we are heavily reliant on green fees for our income and that’s generally the situation among most clubs throughout the county.”

One of the big attractions for many pitch & putt cllub players is the chance to represent their county. In August the Meath inter-county teams will be playing in the Nationals in August and September. Meath will be fielding five adult teams. “We’d be hoping to have maybe one or possible two teams for the u-16 championships.”

Trials are ongoing as the search continues for players to represent the Royal County with the last trial scheduled for Saturday 8th July also in Stackallen.

Originally a tennis club was located at Stackallen, the game played on two courts built on land rented from the Crinion family. In 1967, the club availed of the opportunity to purchase the land for £700 and since then they have continued to upgrade their pitch & putt facilities. Sean Downes is perhaps Stackallens most famous pitch & putt player having won a series of Irish titles in a glittering career

Downes holds the course record, the websites tells us, with a thirteen under par 41. The local legend compiled this score in 1992, the year he won his first Irish Matchplay title. The round featured two aces in a three hole stretch, at the 10th and 12th.