Pierce Purcell 2014

the lawman

I'm playing Co. Meath GC for Rathcore on Saturday. Its my first year playing and it seems bloody difficult to qualify for the Sunday. Best 4 out of 22 clubs to make it out of Saturday.

We’re out with Co. Longford GC at 13:20 and I’m looking forward to it.

Anyone else playing this at the weekend?

GreeBo

Play conservative golf, you don't need to beat your partners, pick a target score 87 say, create a plan and sick to it regardless.
Qualifying is the hardest part, too many people take themselves out of contention with an 8 or 9 somewhere along the way.

Enjoy, it's good craic and great for your golf, if you let it be.

Rikand

Best of luck with it.

Also cups and shields thread for more information and maybe more people talking about it http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057115307/7/#post90366975

the lawman

GreeBo wrote: »

Play conservative golf, you don't need to beat your partners, pick a target score 87 say, create a plan and sick to it regardless.
Qualifying is the hardest part, too many people take themselves out of contention with an 8 or 9 somewhere along the way.

Enjoy, it's good craic and great for your golf, if you let it be.

Good advice GreeBo. I'm gonna get chatting with my partner about that. he tends to be a bit gungho.

millerj

GreeBo wrote: »

Play conservative golf, you don't need to beat your partners, pick a target score 87 say, create a plan and sick to it regardless.
Qualifying is the hardest part, too many people take themselves out of contention with an 8 or 9 somewhere along the way.

Enjoy, it's good craic and great for your golf, if you let it be.

I don't understand what you mean here. You have to beat your direct opponents, ie your playing partners or has the format changed in the last couple of years to strokeplay?

the lawman

millerj wrote: »

I don't understand what you mean here. You have to beat your direct opponents, ie your playing partners or has the format changed in the last couple of years to strokeplay?

Strokeplay on the first day and matchplay if you make the second round. Top 4 out of 22 qualify on the Saturday.

Rikand

Leinster is strokeplay to start. Connacht is matchplay from the start, if you're thinking of that?

Loire

Out walking the course one evening the club pro comes across a usually Steady Eddie playing erratic golf. After a good drive he would take out his putter and hit the ball 10 yards ahead into the rough and from there would hit a sweet iron onto the green. His first putt would be good but he would slap the next putt 5 feet past. Perplexed he approaced Eddie and asks what he's up to.....




































"Practicing for the Pierce Purcell" says Eddie

As someone who has represented my last club twice at PP level I think it's OK for me to post the above.

From my experience:

It's a nerve wracking experience. You'll hit good shots and bad shots, but probably more bad than good.
Get on well would your partner...we got on very well and had one rule - no saying "sorry" for any bad shot
Lag every putt over 6 feet unless you need it to halve a match

Conservative golf IS what it's all about.

millerj

Rikand wrote: »

Leinster is strokeplay to start. Connacht is matchplay from the start, if you're thinking of that?

Thanks for that. Never knew this as had only ever played in the Munster area. Presumably just down to the amount of clubs in Leinster and a quicker way to cull numbers?

Rikand

millerj wrote: »

Thanks for that. Never knew this as had only ever played in the Munster area. Presumably just down to the amount of clubs in Leinster and a quicker way to cull numbers?

that's the reason I'd say. Connacht might have 40-50 clubs. Split into 4 zones(east,south,west and north) that's 10 teams in straight matchplay knockout, wouldn't take too long to do and they started Saturday last.

Leinster 150 clubs.... Take a lot longer I'd say, probably have 5/6 zones too, would take forever in just matchplay, plus its a massive commitment for amateurs to be making

Sean_pop

If 4 of your 5 groups shoot a combined total of +40 or +50 you should qualify. Its all about keeping the ball in play. Play bogey golf and try get your pars/birdies on the par 3 and par 5. the weather is to be good for the weekend so enjoy it.

the lawman

Been speaking with my partner today and we are gonna be following all the advice in here. Aiming for 12 over so bogey golf everywhere and try make pars on the high index holes. No bunkers, no water and no forest.

Sean_pop

the lawman wrote: »

Been speaking with my partner today and we are gonna be following all the advice in here. Aiming for 12 over so bogey golf everywhere and try make pars on the high index holes. No bunkers, no water and no forest.

If only Golf was that easy. Good luck!!!

slingerz

This is gas, pierce purcell for us is saturday week and we havent even picked our team not to mind partners. Not even talk of a practice round even some evening to check things out!

SnowDrifts

the lawman wrote: »

Been speaking with my partner today and we are gonna be following all the advice in here. Aiming for 12 over so bogey golf everywhere and try make pars on the high index holes. No bunkers, no water and no forest.

Aiming for 12 over! :eek: That would probably be a PP record. My advice... don't waste your time thinking about round target scores. Play each hole as it is and play conservative golf. Just keep the ball in play and try stay away from danger ( i.e. don't take on in 2 a par 5 green surrounded by water).

Every single team will have disaster holes so keep the head up when it happens to you.

darraghjm

here's the results from last year,
http://www.gui.ie/leinster/championships/results/pierce-purcell-at-abbeyleix
leinster provisional section was in ardee last year
353 was the 4th score that quailified which is 3 88's and a 89 off the top of my head I think Ardee is a par 71 so that would be 3 17overs and a 18over, so 12over is a bit of a stretch
I played in it before and I seem to remember the plan was pretty much bogey every hole and try to pick up 1 or 2 par's along the way.
Co meath is nice course, bit of strange start with the par 3 followed by 2 par 5's, its a tight enough track probably not driver off every tee as its not overly long

cjfitz

We (Castleisland) are playing Kanturk on the new course in Ballybunion on saturday wk. We have practice in ballyb this sat. It is my first year playing. I get on well with the guy that I have been matched with in practice and we have won 3 trials on our own course 3 up for 12 holes in 2 matches and 3 up for 6 holes in the other. We haven't had more than 8 players any night at trials so hopefully a few more turn up at the weekend.

millerj

cjfitz wrote: »

We (Castleisland) are playing Kanturk on the new course in Ballybunion on saturday wk. We have practice in ballyb this sat. It is my first year playing. I get on well with the guy that I have been matched with in practice and we have won 3 trials on our own course 3 up for 12 holes in 2 matches and 3 up for 6 holes in the other. We haven't had more than 8 players any night at trials so hopefully a few more turn up at the weekend.

A tough draw playing Kanturk I would think

cjfitz

millerj wrote: »

A tough draw playing Kanturk I would think

I have no idea tbh. Think getting drawn against a links club would be worse but maybe not

Me boombastic

Hopefully we get good weather in Ballybunion. Were playin out practice there Monday.

cjfitz

Ya with a bit of luck. Have only played the new course once so am looking forward to getting a practice round on it.

the lawman

darraghjm wrote: »

here's the results from last year,
http://www.gui.ie/leinster/championships/results/pierce-purcell-at-abbeyleix
leinster provisional section was in ardee last year
353 was the 4th score that quailified which is 3 88's and a 89 off the top of my head I think Ardee is a par 71 so that would be 3 17overs and a 18over, so 12over is a bit of a stretch
I played in it before and I seem to remember the plan was pretty much bogey every hole and try to pick up 1 or 2 par's along the way.
Co meath is nice course, bit of strange start with the par 3 followed by 2 par 5's, its a tight enough track probably not driver off every tee as its not overly long

Thanks for that (and Snow).

I only said 12 as that's been my handicap for so long I just always try to hit that on strokes comps.

Yeah gonna aim for maybe 15 over and chat with my partner about it.

Russman

No need to set numerical "targets" as such. The real key is keeping the car crashes off the card as far as possible. You're pretty much bound to get a couple of pars at least so if you limit the doubles, you're in business. Take your medicine if in trouble, don't turn a 5/6 into 8/9. Chipping out sideways is only one shot more on the hole, so do that and then play the hole as you would if ye're drive had been there in the first place. IMHO the most important shot in strokeplay PP is the 50 yard pitch from trouble back into the fairway, its almost never used.

Ben1977

have played on the PP team over the last 4 years. I really enjoy the comp. I've found that if you get on with your playing partner and there is respect then its easier to shoot a good score. With my different partners we've scored 87, 90, 83 and 101.
Its a totally different game when you qualify for the second day. On some holes play for the bogey. Four teams of +15 to +18 will qualify everytime. If your one of the later teams out, bring loads of food and fuel up. One of the years it was a 5 1/2 hour round, probably due to the late start.

Jazzzman

5 and a half hours??

that's really bad form

GreeBo

Russman wrote: »

No need to set numerical "targets" as such. The real key is keeping the car crashes off the card as far as possible. You're pretty much bound to get a couple of pars at least so if you limit the doubles, you're in business. Take your medicine if in trouble, don't turn a 5/6 into 8/9. Chipping out sideways is only one shot more on the hole, so do that and then play the hole as you would if ye're drive had been there in the first place. IMHO the most important shot in strokeplay PP is the 50 yard pitch from trouble back into the fairway, its almost never used.

Agree with what you say but I do think targets are important on each hole.
If you wait to see what happens then you can get tempted into going for things you shouldnt.
I always set a target of a bogey on each hole and played for it. As you say you will get loads of pars ad hopefully avoid any large numbers. Not having a target/plan often leads to thoughts of "sure this is a great drive, would be crazy to not go for it from here, its only a 4i...)

Ben1977

So lawman how did you enjoy your PP strokes round?

the lawman

Ben1977 wrote: »

So lawman how did you enjoy your PP strokes round?

Very enjoyable Ben. We finished 5th out of 22 in the end so just missed out. We played well and it's so true how conservative you have to be. All about bogey golf really. We were going well up until 8th when we had double, double and then triple.

What helped a lot was our club vice captain walked front 9 with us and kept us ticking over. That helps.

I was full of butterflies on the first with all the crowd!

All in all it was a great day and Co. Meath GC did a great job running it so hats off to them.

Anyone know how the Matchplay finished today actually?

The Premier Man

Callan qualified in 3rd hosting theres and then bet kilkenny in semi 3-2 and castlecomer in the final they won 3 early.finalists last year looking strong again

phkk

The Premier Man wrote: »

Callan qualified in 3rd hosting theres and then bet kilkenny in semi 3-2 and castlecomer in the final they won 3 early.finalists last year looking strong again

Great win for Callan today Premier Man, were you playing? Anybody know who won in Gowran Park?

The Premier Man

phkk wrote: »

Great win for Callan today Premier Man, were you playing? Anybody know who won in Gowran Park?

no wasn't there,but was talking to one of the lads who was playing.he said the last match of the semi vs kk was nerve wracking.were you at it?

cgh

there was some really low scores in Callan,

seen a few under 80.

my partner and I had a mare but still carded a 92.

heard a team was dqed for a player practice chipping on a greeen beside the first tee too

phkk

The Premier Man wrote: »

no wasn't there,but was talking to one of the lads who was playing.he said the last match of the semi vs kk was nerve wracking.were you at it?

Yeah, was involved. Unreal drama. Savage scores in Sat from KK and Comer- a 78 and 79

Ben1977

Anyone know why Castle Barna got DQ in Highfield?

sodbuster77

An observation from a club mate of mine:

'Interesting stat from the four Pierce Purcell quallies this weekend in metropolitan zone.

Of the four venues, the home team qualified in first or second position in three venues. Silloge is the exception that didn’t qualify.

In the four venues, the home team *won* the matchplay three times.

Home advantage is huge. Should we look to host a qualifier next year instead of a final? Food for thought.'

denishurley

I'm playing for Bandon on Saturday

the lawman

Ben1977 wrote: »

Anyone know why Castle Barna got DQ in Highfield?

Sorry Ben I have no clue. Interesting though.

thoscon

sodbuster77 wrote: »

An observation from a club mate of mine:

'Interesting stat from the four Pierce Purcell quallies this weekend in metropolitan zone.

Of the four venues, the home team qualified in first or second position in three venues. Silloge is the exception that didn’t qualify.

In the four venues, the home team *won* the matchplay three times.

Home advantage is huge. Should we look to host a qualifier next year instead of a final? Food for thought.'

I would agree home advantage is a big plus .Our team played in Co Meath and the Co Meath team got to the final .

slingerz

can i ask how clubs select their team members?

I put myself forward for this but was never contact regarding practice or anything.

the lawman

slingerz wrote: »

can i ask how clubs select their team members?

I put myself forward for this but was never contact regarding practice or anything.

A manager is selected I believe and he advertises practice days on the club notice boards etc. Then after some time he picks his 10 lads and subs. Bad form if you weren't even notified of when practice took place. Was your lowest handicap between 12 and 17 the previous year?

slingerz

the lawman wrote: »

A manager is selected I believe and he advertises practice days on the club notice boards etc. Then after some time he picks his 10 lads and subs. Bad form if you weren't even notified of when practice took place. Was your lowest handicap between 12 and 17 the previous year?

Thought it was bad form alright especially considering the fact that there cant have been more than 14 people who put their names down for it. Only heard that there was practice days from a playing partner of mine who is currently only 0.2 lower than I am (albeit a 'shot' less).

Anyway best of luck to denishurley who i would/should have been competing against!:eek:

At least my club cant complain of banditry should i win the captain's prize the weekend after next...

GreeBo

We have signup sheets for each team.
You then give €50 to the pro and you are told about all the practice sessions and the team coaching sessions.
After that its a couple of qualifying rounds and the team and subs are picked.
the team captains all have access to everyones singles scores to help choosing people for matches based on form.

Crappy that you didnt even get a call.

denishurley

slingerz wrote: »

Thought it was bad form alright especially considering the fact that there cant have been more than 14 people who put their names down for it. Only heard that there was practice days from a playing partner of mine who is currently only 0.2 lower than I am (albeit a 'shot' less).

Anyway best of luck to denishurley who i would/should have been competing against!:eek:

At least my club cant complain of banditry should i win the captain's prize the weekend after next...

Thanks slingerz, that's very shabby behaviour, like you say the way to respond is to show them up by running up a few scores

thoscon

GreeBo wrote: »

We have signup sheets for each team.
You then give €50 to the pro and you are told about all the practice sessions and the team coaching sessions.
After that its a couple of qualifying rounds and the team and subs are picked.
the team captains all have access to everyones singles scores to help choosing people for matches based on form.
Crappy that you didnt even get a call.

Can I ask what the €50 is for

GreeBo

thoscon wrote: »

Can I ask what the €50 is for

Pays/Contributes to the "free" lessons from the Pro.

Does sessions through the winter, individual analysis, SAM Lab putting, short game clinics, etc, etc.

thoscon

GreeBo wrote: »

Pays/Contributes to the "free" lessons from the Pro.

Does sessions through the winter, individual analysis, SAM Lab putting, short game clinics, etc, etc.

Ah ok very good

SnowDrifts

GreeBo wrote: »

Pays/Contributes to the "free" lessons from the Pro.

Does sessions through the winter, individual analysis, SAM Lab putting, short game clinics, etc, etc.

So you have to pay for "free" lessons otherwise you will not get picked for any teams?? That's a joke IMO.

yettie1701

phkk wrote: »

Great win for Callan today Premier Man, were you playing? Anybody know who won in Gowran Park?

Waterford beat Carlow in the final in Gowran.

GreeBo

SnowDrifts wrote: »

So you have to pay for "free" lessons otherwise you will not get picked for any teams?? That's a joke IMO.

No, you pay for the lessons, if you dont pay you dont get the lessons.
The team choices are outside of this.
The club picks up the vast bulk of the cost, they ask for a contribution of a single lesson fee from each member to show commitment. Those that dont get picked still get to avail of all the lessons.

SnowDrifts

GreeBo wrote: »

The club picks up the vast bulk of the cost, they ask for a contribution of a single lesson fee from each member to show commitment. Those that dont get picked still get to avail of all the lessons.

But in order to get picked, you have to pay the €50?? What if I'm Bubba Watson and neither want nor need lessons....

Dealerz

I think it's a good idea, it guarantees player commitment- ain't nothing worse than 30 names on a team comp sheet in January and only 12 turn up for practice may!

But has the above €50 commitment led to success for your club in inter club comps?