A Match of Two Halves - Clongowes Wood College

Posted: 28th September 2015

Clongowes Wood College SJ

Present v Past Golf

The 33rd playing of the Present v Past Golf Challenge for the Union Golf Society Shield took place on the Clongowes Course on Sunday 20th September. Organizer extraordinaire and Captain (OC’78) Ambrose O’Sullivan, with a combination of veteran experience [1963 to 2014] and youth development saw his Past team build up a formidable lead of 10-2 at lunch-time against a valiant Present Team led by 2 handicapper Eimhin Ryan. The morning weather was windless, dry and warm.

After an excellent lunch which followed the traditional patronage of Clane’s best, thanks were expressed to Ann Cooke and her Team who ensured that no one set out for the afternoon fourballs on an empty stomach! The afternoon session saw an amazing resurgence (à la Clongowes) when the Present clawed back the huge deficit to bring the match to a thrilling Tie. All this happened under the worst of September weather with wind and rain leaving all the contestants soaked to the skin, but proud in their achievement. The Present comeback was confirmed only after a Stewards’ Enquiry which adjudged the final fourball to have ended all square.

At the traditional refreshment gathering in the Castle the two Captains (pictured above with the Rector, Fr Michael Sheil) congratulated their teams and each side on an encounter which had lived up to any of the previous ones for excitement and fair play. Captain Ryan thanked the Past for taking time off and Captain O’Sullivan congratulated the Present and assured them of a warm welcome in the return match, due for Portmarnock GC on 7th October.

Watch this space…

Fr Michael Sheil

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