Age may solely be a quantity but it surely was no obstacle to the denizens of Grange Golf Membership the place the senior brigade dominated Captain John Moriarty’s Prize final weekend.
hile the brand new World Handicap System has its detractors, it has allowed older golfers to stay aggressive and for an occasion the place 92-year previous Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was one in every of three honorary starters alongside Mick McGinley Snr and Joey Bryan, it was becoming that 83-year-old Dermot McArdle gained his third captain’s prize in Grange, and the fifth of his profession.
Dermot, who was taking part in off 34, carded a second 67 on day two to win by two strokes with the remainder of the highest 5 additionally gamers over 70.
Kevin Fitzpatrick (24 handicap) was second with 136 whereas 86-year-old Pat McEnroe (29) eschewed the usage of a buggy and trotted his technique to 140 for third with Oisin O Buachalla (18) and John Kilmurray (24), each of their 70s, coming fourth and fifth.
A former eight handicapper, Dermot – who had beforehand gained a Captain’s Prize at Courtown and the 5-Day at Portmarnock in 2010 –was thrilled to win having beforehand gained the Captain’s Prize at Grange in 1974 and 2003.
“I don’t faux to grasp it,” he joked of the WHS. “It’s just like the previous European Financial System, which we had earlier than the Euro. It was often called the snake and it could wobble far and wide. There have been guys who understood it however couldn’t clarify it and guys who may clarify it however didn’t perceive it. I’m 83. I’m telling everybody they’re all dyslexic and I’m actually solely 38!”
Remarkably, the well-known 5 are all older than Billy O’Dwyer, winner of the Captain’s Prize to the seniors.
There have been some revolutionary strikes made with WHS with the Dublin Journalists Golf Society creating the “100 Membership”, whereby members whose handicap and age whole 100 or extra can play from the women’ tees and compete to win the odd prize.
