Boards Golf Society (Round 7) Tullamore Golf Club (27th Aug 1400 hrs)

FixdePitchmark · 27-08-2022 10:16pm

Very very long day - but brilliant all the same...

Will post tomorrow.

Thanks a million to everyone and particularly Space for sorting most stuff.

Amazing scores on a great course..

BohToffee · 27-08-2022 11:53pm

Long day indeed Fix. Thanks again to the cmte and charlieIRL for arranging a great day out on a lovely course. Unfortunately my golf game deserted me today so I won't be saying much on that front. Played with CharlieIRL, RoadRunner and Doublecross. It was a joy to watch the first two lads battle it out on the day, with an injury hampering Doublecross but my god can he hit a ball, even with the injury... Had few highlights myself, going for the first par 5 in 2 after being told it was a 3 shotter but a tree got in the way. a scuttery tee shot on 12 had me cursing it and myself, on she rolled up the green, had to give a rattle at the 2 and in she rolled, second ever 2 and I pop my name down every week so that's the one that brings me back... thanks to the lads again but special thanks to RR for keeping the spirits up, driver was crap mostly today but apparently "sounds lovely" so I'll keep going. 😀 🤣

spuddy4711 · 28-08-2022 6:11am

The short game clinic was a perfect start to a great outing, thanks Fix and the team for this. Boards Golf Society is at such a high standard, real Senior Hurling level, I saw outstanding play from Rally 23, A Post Punk and Kiith.

So many takeaways. The valuable local knowledge of Kiith and his superb iron play, the brilliant par of R23 the 18th after being waay too long on his approach, and APP’s great use of the driving range to get home. Oh, and me escaping 8 out of 9 bunkers in 1. Thanks Corry.

bobster453 · 28-08-2022 6:39am

Another great day with great company.

Short game clinic was a great bonus and brilliant idea.

Course was in great nick and the greens were excellent..very true and some nice double breaks which were testy.

Really enjoyed the company thanks lads.

Started ok turned with 19 points then parred the next 3 for 28 points after 12.

And then the effects of the early body clock alarm and late start kicked in just about the time this old man would be snoozing in the armchair before dinner.

I swear I fell asleep for a few holes leading to my having to drill a longish putt for par on 18th to finish on 36 points.

Long tiring fantastic day.

Shot of the day for me was 21 degree rescue going 170+ yards from a fairway bunker.

Of course i promptly made a hames of the 9 iron approach after it but shure thats golf for ya.

Playing home today at 730 and then hitting the leaba for a few hours.

Thanks yet again to the committee and all who helped.

It is very much appreciated.

scotty_golf9 · 28-08-2022 9:34am

Had a great day out in Tullamore yesterday, first time playing it. I starting off well with back to back birdies in the first few holes but then had a lovely triple bogey to add to the card. I was playing well and enjoyed the course and the company of the 3 lads. First time playing with Joe and John and they were 2 sound lads. Best part of the day was my birdie on the index 1 with a good drive to leave myself with an 8 iron in and mangaed to stick it to 8 feet and held the putt. Hopefully ill see you’s in the next one.

FixdePitchmark · 28-08-2022 10:56am

Results

1st CharlieIRL 43 pts

2nd Roadrunner 42 pts

3rd Slave1 39 pts

4th Rally23 38 pts

Gross (4 Over)

r1986

Roadrunner

NTP

LinoRichie 50 inches

Long Drive

Fix

2s

LinoRichie - BohToffee - r1986

spacecoyote · 28-08-2022 11:33am

Well I'm running the gamut of emotions with the society this year.

The only thing I can say is I didn't finish completely last yesterday 😁

Kevs, bakerbhoy and boccy for company made for a very enjoyable afternoon and the day flew by.

I scored terribly, but really felt like I was playing some reasonable stuff. Was really solid off the tee with the 3w and driver.

The handicap chops from the last couple of outings meant that I didn't have much wiggle room, but was ticking along steadily through the first 7 holes despite finding maybe 4 bunkers in those 7 holes. Made a really nice birdie on the first par 5, which was inches from an Eagle. Approach with a wedge from about 100 yards stopped about 4 inches from the hole.

8 is a tight short dogleg. 3w into good position, wedge in, took a big hop and into a hidden pot bunker. Sand a little thin and downhill stance. Came out thin, 3-putt and a scratch. 9, NTP hole, took the measure, a perfect smooth 9i for me. Took it out of the bag, hit it perfect, straight down the pin...and it landed about 10 yards short. Looked at club in surprise, to find it was a PW in my hand. Let that annoy me and made sh1t of the rest of the hole to scratch again for 2 in a row (apologies to the lads for my angry outburst there!)

Back 9 scoring wasn't any better. Tee shots stayed strong, irons were going well but short game let me down. Putted very well early in the round, but a few 3 putts slipped in later.

Kevs started a little loose off the tee for the opening holes and was having to chase early on, but settled down and played some great stuff as the day progressed, with a super back 9. He scored really well on thr par 5s and made great par on the index 1.

Bakerbhoy similarly, had a rough start off the tee with some big pulls. There was a bit of anger I think when we reached the 5th and he hit a cracker down the middle of a tough driving hole. Followed up with a great iron to the heart of the green for a nice 2 putt par. Had a couple of cracking long putts, including a super birdie on the 8th.

Had boccy for company for the short game session and then out on the course. His game has really come on since the last time I played with him. When he gets the rhythm right he hits a really nice controlled fade with the driver and put himself in some great spots. A few troubles in some trees followed by some great recoveries.

None of us burned the course up...it was already burnt enough from the dry weather.

One thing I'll take away...I'm not a 3 handicap golfer, but will be stuck around that mark in Mount Juliet unfortunately. I'll need to replicate my performance from Charlie's Captains there to even have a chance of top 10 I think.

Running the numbers afterwards and it looks like there are 3 people who can catch me for GOTY, and they're a daunting group, the top 3 from yesterday's outing, Charlie, Slave and Roadrunner... all 3 in great form and with a few shots in the bag 😉

Think I may have peaked too early

FixdePitchmark · 28-08-2022 11:40am

The Long Hot Day

Few things learnt yesterday

1) Don't tee off too late again (even if we had no choice)

2) Organise a proper technical day - rather than before an outing

3) If you sing a John Spillane song - you get free, breakfast - lunch and dinner from a Corkman (Amazing generosity Break80).

Was a great long day - when I arrived lads were warming up at noon - was incredible really, considering the drives and the fact it was 2 hours to go to first tee time. We experimented with a pre short game clinic with Corey (the lovely pro there) - and whilst the timing of it was rightly questioned - we still had a bit of fun and comradery in the sun - it was done in a peaceful part of the course. There were a couple of shouts of "fore" at a short game clinic - but also many great shots observed.

I had a lovely club sandwich (With an egg in it) - and then it was off to the first tee. Was playing with Break80 (an old Cork friend at this stage) - Slave1 and VW1. The first thing that was noticeable and was very professional - was the lack of real pressure on the time sheet and the more relaxed 1st tee space and vibe. It was interesting the our first 4 shots were almost a reflection of what was to come ahead - Slave a bomb down the middle - VW1 a powerfull but overdrawn ball - Break 80 fading right - me an uncharacteristic snap hook left.

Slave played really brilliant golf for most of the front nine - I said it straight up to him, that his handicap was not a refection of his ability - but he said he just has great days and bad days. He really can do everything on a course - I liked his own style in the short game too.

Break 80 - had a tough day off the tee and was in the trees a good bit - It was impressive that he kept his cool when their could have been "red mist" and he didn't let it take away from his enjoyment of the round.

VW1 is a seriously powerfull golfer - and will be a serious bit of stuff when he gets going - gets into a club and gets a pro. Really nice guy for a Manchester United fan.

Myself - not doing anything well to be honest - and even what is normally solid (putting / Driving) - is a bit of a disaster at the moment , anyway, going through a few changes and not really much golf time lately - and is showing at this stage.

Was a great bit of "banter" after - I know I go way too far at times / most / all of the time. But was a good laugh.

Had a chat with one Boards member in the car park - and it reminded me that life is short , you do not know what is around the corner, so you got to enjoy the good times when they are there.

Fantastic scoring - and it sounds like Roadrunner had a serious epic round on the cards till the last 3 - still amazing golf Roadrunner - "you are a great putter".

CharlieIRL - was probably the obvious fav. in hindsight - but as is always the case with Charlie - you just don't know if it is the single figure golfer in him - or the WHS golfer in him that will come out. When the stars align - his scoring potential is epic.

Tullamore was a brilliant place for an outing - I'm probably just getting more experience at this now - but it is little things like the pro shop - the staff in the catering and bar - the future captain introducing himself , just transforms a day into a great day. I probably wouldn't have noticed that stuff before - but do now. Thanks Charlie and Tullamore for a great day.

To the members - again a great pace of play - no messing , everyone on time (thanks Kieran. getting me away) - In general well done everyone - and great golf.

As I hit the road - it was actually getting dark, a sign of a long day, a summer end and an end in sight. I've only 1 proper outing to go - when I got home, the wife asked me how it had gone. I told her fairly perfectly - she said " you'll miss it when it is gone" .

P.S.

Space - you are an absolute legend.

slave1 · 28-08-2022 12:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119532364#Comment_119532364

"Think I may have peaked too early"

You're early peak is plenty, work is done, well played all year, it's hard to be organising and going out to golf

kev_s88 · 28-08-2022 12:24pm

Great company always makes a poor round easier. And there was great company in spades playing with Space, Boccy and Bakerbhoy.

Started off OK on the first 3 holes but game got away from me a bit on the rest of the front 9, turning with 13 points. Tightened things up a bit on the back and finished up with 33. Was delighted with my play on the back 9.

Not much to add to what Space said above about the guys' rounds. You can really see why Space is stuck playing off 3. Hits a beautiful shot, just unfortunate the scoring didn't match the general play today. Boccy was incredibly steady with his play, just unfortunate to get caught out in the trees a few times during the round. And Bakerbhoy hit some lovely shots in with the 3w. Took a few holes to get the driver up and running unfortunately.

Really looking forward to Captains next month, and hoping I can hold my position in the top 10 and make it onto the Jug team

slave1 · 28-08-2022 1:50pm

Late afternoon rounds are unusual for me but with the weather we got it was well worth it.

Golf is a sport best enjoyed in the balm heat and shorts and single top, love it in current weather.

Had the pleasure of joining the current and last years Captains alongside (checks booking as doesn't remember "handle") VW1.

VW1 has an awesome swing with some serious length off the tee, not many folk will be 150y off the Index 1 14th, a wee bit more Weetabix in his putts and the score would be well improved.

Break was abandoned by the Golfing Gods, he must have been an arborist in past life as was in such an amount of trees all day, hard to put a round together when in the thick stuff so kudos for the calm presence during the round.

Was waiting to see Fix in the flesh, we read of his exploits on the hallowed links turf and indeed you can sense his game is built around windy links conditions, not many folk take a divot off a teed driver such is the shallow piercing ball flight. I'd love his punched baby draw approach from long irons too and even inside 60yds it's still a very low checked approach. Very much in contrast with whatever way my octopus falling off a cliff swing works. Ironically it was the flat stick that was not behaving on the day, such is the way things are for us amateurs.

I'd only golfed once in the previous two weeks, wasn't expecting or thinking too much about it as I've played Tullamore countless times before and at this stage know my clubs and shots for every hole (unless things go sideways), know which dog legs I can go for and which I simply lay up, I lay up on them all. My irons were very bad recently and I only figured out recently what was going wrong so I was adjusting my stance for every iron shot and played probably my best iron play in a long time resulting in 3 birdies and a good few more safe two putts although I did throw in a pair of three putts from GIR which was annoying but at this stage I accept this.

Taking the extra time on the tee (I generally play very quick in casual rounds) was welcome too as I only had to "chop out" twice and such is Tullamore that these both ended up as doubles. I'd never drove past that fairway hill on the first before so was delighted to pop over it yesterday, still bedding in a new driver but the honeymoon period is nice at the minute. The shot I need to empty from my brain was the par 3 12th apprach. I say approach as I can't hit that green with reliability so was very happy to be front left as planned with path to flag, I punched in a low 9iron into the mound at the front of the green so the ball would trickle over and come to rest near the flag, I could just picture it but the ball stalled going up the mound and rolled well off the green and left me a more difficult version of the same shot again, thankfully it worked out this time and we all played rather nifty shots in, Break from the bunker on the left, Fix from putting off the green across the ridge and VW with the most super of shots from the RHS of the green over the bunker resulting in these balls....

..and we all failed to convert, gotta love this game......

spacecoyote · 28-08-2022 2:58pm

Shot of the 5th green

Beaulieu · 28-08-2022 9:15pm

Met some of the Boardies at the lesson with Corey Doherty. Glad you enjoyed the day folks. You are always welcome back at Tullamore.

Snackbox20 · 28-08-2022 10:28pm

Finally getting round to scribe my musings on what was a long day, but a really enjoyable day. As I posted earlier that morning, I was setting out around 9:30 that morning, following the porridge and a mug of Lough derg happiness (black tea), thankfully no wishing of luck from the members of the ngardai as I just outside Clonmel.

When I got to Tullamore, I was just missing the start of the half marathon a couple of the lads with the important jobs and the 3 striped hi-vis were starting to set out bollards and railings.

When I got to the golf club, I met Bakerbhoy and we hit a few chips on the first practice green, felt ok with them. Bakerbhoy was to be opponent in the finale of the chipping contest. We were chatting about the big group in front of us and it appeared that a lot of that society were staying in the same hotel as Bakerbhoy, they were from Cork.

I tried a couple of swings in the driving nets, as much as Break80 and Bobster encouraged to max an extra 20 / 30 miles an hour in the downswing, the nerves and the giggles got to me.

The chipping clinic was a brilliant addition to the day, a huge thanks to Captain for arranging this. Corey broke the fundamentals of the swing with your wedge both in bunker and around the green so easily and it was great to take that on to the green yesterday and today. Well won too @bakerbhoy dinking that last chip nearer the circle and taking the points.

On to the golf, I came in after my round and apologies to @spacecoyote , I said my golf was something like; "ever see a 3 legged cat trying to bury poo on a frozen lake?" I was that 2 legged cat. I had the pleasure of playing again with Bobster, Richie and for fear of a typo, Mr. Hatton. (Thank you for forgiving me before the chipping clinic 🤣🤣🤣🤣)Great company on the round, great chats, and great craic too. Great golf played by both Bobster and Richie, great 2 on the 9th NTP, 3 flutes from the hole, the winning distance 🤔🤔🤔, Mr Hatton and I struggled through our rounds, my putting was as erratic as the arm on a lie detector, it cost me so many shots, and some bad shots got into the old noodle again. I finished on 27pts, and I was so cross I could not play to the 25 handicap on the card 🤬. The lads were sound stock to offer little tips and encouragement too, it was a huge lift too, when the golf was getting too challenging. The course was a challenge too, but set up so well and perfect conditions. Thanks to Bobster, Richie, and Mr. Hatton for your great company on the round. The craic and slagging after and the food before the prizes was a great lift. I say it everytime, but this is some group, love it.

Congratulations to CharlieIrl on a great score of 43, and to the other prize winners, the names are starting to elude me and I fear I could type a name of someone who may not exist in the society. Great course, staff were lovely and the food was right good.

Right sin a bhfuil, let's see if Rory chips like us yesterday. On to Mount Juliet for September. Looking forward to another cracker of an outing.

Oiche Mhaith

charlieIRL · 28-08-2022 10:43pm

Long post alert!

Heading to my home course for the penultimate round of this years society I had all sorts of thoughts going through my head. I got a lesson with Corey a few weeks ago to sort out my erratic driving and within a few minutes he had me hitting it longer but much more consistent. I have also put a massive amount of work into my <50m game in the last few months - I spend at least 2 lunchtimes every week at the areas you all used for the short game clinic on Saturday practicing my chipping - the joys of working 4 minutes from the course. Unfortunately as both the start and finish of my game on each hole started to come together - my second shot game fell to pieces, typical isn’t it. I was on the practice range one day and thankfully Corey came over to me and yet again, with one tweak, I was nailing my 100m shots with ease. I spent a few weeks alternating between the short chips and the 70/80/90m shots until I felt a bit more comfortable with them.

As soon as I thought it was all coming together, it fell apart and my round 2 weeks ago - I had 26 points. Last Saturday, driving the ball well, approach ok, chipping ok, I just couldn’t buy a putt and for the first time in years - I had no pars in a round and a miserable 23 points.

I was more relaxed yesterday, got there early, bit of banter and crack and then headed off to the putting green. Few putts and then off to the chipping green, was hitting them fairly close so confidence was growing.

Off to the first tee with two old friends in Roadrunner and Doublecross and my first time meeting Bohtoffee. Straight away the banter started and continued for the whole round making it very very enjoyable. Roadrunner and myself nailed our drives on the first, just to the left fringe of the fairway. We never play off the whites in Tullamore so wasn’t used to being so close to the green, was nice to approach with pw instead of a 8 iron and this was the same for the full round. Not a great third am shot and two putts for me got me going though.

Going long on 2 is always trouble so I use a club less than the middle of the green yardage but I hit an 8 a bit too short and found the front bunker, taking two to get out and two putts annoyed me a bit but it was still a point.

Absolutely bombed a drive on 3 - 265meters according to my gps again left me with a 100m approach, green in regulation and 2 putts for my first par. Woohoo.

Hugged the trees on the right too much on the next resulted in my chipping out sideways, nice approach to the green, chip and 2 putts for another bogie, happy with that.

Teeing off so far forward on the next had us thinking, this pond is drivable. I had told the lads it’s a 3 wood to the centre of the fairway but no, we’re fellas and we can take on this pond!! Unfortunately / fortunately 3 of us cleared it with ease but poor bohtoffee went swimming - he almost cleared it with his 3 wood! It’s a tough green to hit so club less, land at the front of the green, two putts and 3 points kept topping up my card.

6th is a tough par 3 but the adrenaline was flowing so took a 7 iron only to find the rear right bunker, hit a peach of a shot out and sunk the putt- was today going to be my day??

Another decent drive on 7 but was eclipsed but Roadrunner, who also had a score going, out with the driver taking dead aim at the pond. I’ve never seen anyone clearing it and here he goes and bombs one over lading in the fringe the far side of the fairway - WOW!! Nice hybrid approach had me pin high but in the left bunker. Chip out and 2 putts for another par, where we’re all these last week?!!

The 3 lads took on the 8th with varying success, I took driver when I normally use my hybrid down to the tree to the left of the pond. Went long but through the trees which left me a handy chip to the green, 2 putts and another par!

I like the 9th, the easiest par 3 on the course, PW pin high but left bunker, got out and 2 putts for another 2 points. I counted them up and was amazed to see 22 points, one more and I had beaten last weeks score. I need to keep this going I kept telling myself.

Great drive on 10 but found another bunker on the left - you really can’t be left of the green here. Delicate chip didn’t make it out of the bunker so had another go and it landed on the fringe. Tapped the putt and it ran on way past the hole. Finished with a 6 which was annoying after the decent drive.

11th was another great tee shot, lw to the green with a decent look for birdie - what did I do - damm 3 putt from nowhere for a 5.

12 is a demon of a par 3, well for everyone except bohtoffee, peach of a tee shot to middle of the green and sank the putt, well done sir. I hate to admit it with 12, but I always play to the front fringe of the green as anything long or left is serious trouble. Hit a 7 iron to the front and thankfully it rolled and rolled up the green for me, just missed the birdie putt but got the par - my first one here in over a year!!

On to 13 and nailed one down the middle, I thought I had caught up to the LD marker but was about 5m short. Still another nice chip to the green and another birdie putt- which I missed, but yes, another par.

14 is my bogie hole, I just can’t play it. Drove it left but had a line out, nice chip to the middle of the fairway and I had 140m to go. Took out an 8 iron, lovely crisp hit but slightly left and seen my ball bounce left into the valley and halfway on the upslope. Standing over it I was thinking, how the hell do I get outta this one and then I though of a recent Nick Doherty’s tee time tips, shoulders parallel to the ground and just hit it! Chipped up lovely and two putts for a 6, was never as happy with a double in my life. Was this my day?

On 15 I took a 3 wood for safety, ha ha, drove it right into the trees, chipped sideways and then absolutely bombed my 3 wood to the front of the green!! Two putts and another par - where has this gold come from? Can I bottle it and use it every week!!

Forward tees on 16 was nice, even of there are only a few meters forward, it’s nice. 253m drove left me a gap wedge in and I pulled it left just about over the stream. Chipped up but another 3 putt, but points in the bag.

17 is another long par 3 so again, I lay up to the fringe and play up from there. 7 iron in hand, 170m to go I leave it pin high right!! I’m saying it was the dry and hard course helping me! 2 putts and a par - another hole i never score on so delighted.

Standing on 18 I have to admit I got nervous about my score, I haven’t played this well in years. Tried to take something off my driver but pushed it right so had to chip out left to the fairway. Lovely 88m approach to the green and 2 putts for my bogie and another 2 points. I nearly got weak when I added them up. Absolutely, genuinely chuffed to bits with my score, and thinking in 2 of the bunkers, it took me 2 shots to get out and I had 3 x 3 putts, still my lowest round in years and a very decent cut in my handicap as I entered the round before I started.

I was marking Roadrunners card and knew he had an amazing round going but it was unfortunately undone on 16. Rare bogies on 17 & 18 took from what was an amazing score. Some absolutely fantastic shots throughout his round.

Doublecross was having a tough day with his injury, his class and effortless golf wasn’t on display yesterday but it will be back.

Bohtoffee has some drive when he connects, as roadrunner said on numerous occasions “that sounds feckin deadly!!”

A very enjoyable day start to finish, good crack afterwards and some excellent food to round it off.

I hope everyone enjoyed the course and clubhouse, even now when I book my next round, I can’t wait to get over to play it and still get nervous. Well done to Fix for organising the clinic, yet another brilliant idea for this year. In my opinion, Corey is an excellent coach and has a great way of explaining what he would like you to do or what needs to be changed, he’s helped me so much this year that I have to credit him with my score yesterday.

I know I can play good golf, I know I can be poor at times but I’ve better at accepting bad shots and moving on. Hitting my driver more consistently and the work on my short game will get me to and beyond my handicap goal, I will do it.

See ye all in MJ, I can’t wait to go back.

Caddy cart · 28-08-2022 10:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535011#Comment_119535011

Would not b slagging the half marathon lads. That’s a lot more important and harder and more interesting than 20/30 bucks playing a slow round of golf for 5 hours

bobster453 · 28-08-2022 11:22pm

1.Who was slagging them?

2.How is it more important?

3.How do you know we are all bucks..some buckesses too.

4. You obviously havent seen me play golf..aint no way a short stroll is easier than this.

5. Wasnt 5 hours

So there 😀😀

charlieIRL · 28-08-2022 11:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535121#Comment_119535121

I honestly don’t get the point of this post.

Caddy cart · 28-08-2022 11:40pm

Ha ha. Golfers. There really are in a world of there own And I play golf twice a week.

blue note · 28-08-2022 11:44pm

Finally got here for my second boards outing and I was delighted to make it. As was everyone else there. It's a great atmosphere to walk into. In fairness, it's pretty much a feature of golf that your fellow golfers are happy to be getting out for a round. But for a boards outting people have travelled from around the country and there's not a smidgen of a feeling that anyone is taking it for granted. To get out for a round of golf on a course like that in weather like that is a privilege. And to do so with others who obsess over the game in a similar way only adds to the experience. On a normal Sunday your playing partners might not think about golf from one week to the next. In a boards outing I think we're all guilty of thinking about golf far too much!

Coming back to tullamore was a little strange for me. I dated a girl from the town for 8 years or so and used to play golf there with her father a few times a year. He was golf obsessed, he would have been a fine boards member. And I believe he passed away recently, so it was a little strange coming back to probably the place he loved most after his home. He might no longer walk the fairways himself, but he's left prov1s with his markings on them all over the course, so in a way he'll always be there!

Anyway, I suppose my day started just before 6am. I took the last slot of the day so I could get jobs done at home, so that began with getting up with the young one. Jobs done I hit the road just before one and got there about an hour before my tee time. Yet still was just barely on the tee on time! I warmed up and then went to get a bottle of water which took far longer than I could have predicted. Pro shop closed so tried the bar. A lad was topping up his card and having chats and I waited patiently behind him. They send me back to the shop to knock on the window, but still closed so I got my bottle from the car to ask the bar to fill. I had to queue then behind another guy topping up his card and 3 ladies deciding what to order at the till. I just made the tee on time. But crucially forgot about registering my score.

I'd the pleasure of playing with Alanm, benny79 and I forget the username of the third but, but looking trough the list I suspect kieran. is a good guess. But three fine golfers. Alanm playing his second round of the day, regardless of the fine score that's impressive. Benny79 was playing for the back9 prize and I suspect would have won it if there had been one. And kieran. didn't want to know his halftime score. I suspect a few more balls dropping his way after the turn and he could have been onto a really good one.

I'd a bit of a funny round. I didn't strike it great, but got away with murder to bring in a respectable score. I hit a couple of drives practically vertically on 1 and 7, but still had shots into the greens from reasonable distances. And hit the ground on 5 and 13 but managed to get away with them and sneak over the water on 5 and through the gap on 13. They must have been ball and ground at the same time. And I had some really poor mishit irons drop way short. I was tempted to take more club in the expectation that I'd mishit them, but short isn't too bad. At worst you'll be in a bunker. Long can be a different story. Three three putt bogies is always an annoying stat though. When you're getting away with murder, it's sinful to give those gifts back so cheaply.

I was going pretty well until 14. +10 on the 14th tee playing off 14. A good finish and i could be up there. Then I sliced the arse off it. If I had aimed at the 13th green it still would have gone OB right. But that was fine, I'm always prone to that. It happening once in a round isn't the worst. What threw me though was realising I forgot to declare my round. I'd been targeting playing parklands in particular to get my handicap down. And tullamore on a day like yesterday I thought even a decent score would be in my best 8. I was sickened realising that I wouldn't get to count it. Looking back I think I'd have dropped .5 or .6 with the score I had.

Anyway, on the 15th tee I wouldn't normally hit driver. With my shape the further right you go the less distance on your shot. And the further away the drain gets. It's not a drive set up for me to take on. But I was mad and wanted to hit something so took it out. And snuck over the drain. I nailed a 5 wood onto the green. Walking up looking at it, it looked like a tap in eagle. As I got closer, it turned out to be a tap in eagle. Slightly longer than my putter grip. I still marked it of course. No such thing as an unmissable putt. It was my third ever eagle. That cheered me up a bit.

So thanks to our captain and the rest of the committee for organising a great outing. It's a perfect choice of venue. I really do love the course - so playable, but at the same time challenging. I wouldn't regard it as a course for losing a lot of balls, but that's a compliment. If you hit it where you shouldn't it might be gone. But you don't get punished with that penalty for going slightly offline. The par threes are great, very challenging. Greens are tricky but fair. Lovely to chip onto. And it's a majestic course. There's trees there that must be hundreds of years old.

And well done to the winners. Hopefully I'll see you all again in kilkenny!

VW 1 · 29-08-2022 12:06am

Really enjoyed the course yesterday, parkland would be my preference over links, and Tullamore is certainly a lovely parkland course.

Had the privilege of playing with a local in Slave who was generous in his advice and pointers on where to play and where not to play. His advice was sound but it didn't mean my ball went where he said it should!

My own play was frustrating, I am well able to hit the ball but my inconsistency maddens me. Along with some fantastic drives, for example being 140m from the pin on the 14th as Slave noted previously, I hooked an 8i into the trees right of the green and finished with a 6. Some other highlights were a smashing drive on the 10th to leave 65m to the green, but again duffed a 54° into a bunker and two shots to leave me on the fringe meant a 7.

Too many 1s on the front 9 meant my race was run effectively, with 13 at the turn. Managed to get going better on the back 9 finishing with 17, had a good par to finish on the 18th. A drive to prime position and a 6i from 170m to 20ft left me with two putts for par.

Pleasure to play with Fix who has a mesmerising way of striking the ball. Swing shape and ball flight, commitment to the swing and power to boot. Real links game for sure, but great to watch.

Break80 struggled at times off the tee, but a lot of very good shots across the round, including some excellent drives. enjoyed talking with him about his golfing experiences across Ireland.

Really looking forward to Mt Juliet next month, and thanks to Fix and those involved in the background doing the organising and admin work.

spacecoyote · 29-08-2022 6:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535121#Comment_119535121

I think you're getting offended there, for the sake of offence. What I can tell you is that Snackbox20, when referring to the important people, will have meant that very literally, and will not have been slagging off anyone involved in the organisation, or participation, in the half-marathon.

So you can take your righteous indignation off with ya, and maybe try actually reading a message or knowing someone before jumping to incorrect conclusions and accusing people of behavior, or comments, that they never made in the first place.

FixdePitchmark · 29-08-2022 9:16am

We are seeing the steely space competitor now.

Snackbox20 · 29-08-2022 9:41am

Apologies if I have caused offence and I in no way went out of the way to slag anybody or slag off anyone involved or who participated in the half marathon.

FixdePitchmark · 29-08-2022 9:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535121#Comment_119535121

I loved seeing the 1/2 marathon - as I arrived at the roundabout the volunteers and I had two completely different needs, but they had put in place a system for the cars to get to the club. I put the hazards on and drove on the LHS of the road as slow as I could - it all worked grand. I love athletics so gave the lads a few shouts - was amazing to see the pace. There were a few houses out giving them water - and one with a hose to spray them, that was very cool. There was a great sense of community and commitment from all. You got a sense of the community spirit in Tullamore.

It was in my head why run past the gate of a clubhouse on a Saturday - but when you seen the road , mature tree lined and a nice hill , it made sense. You could see the singlets of the Athletics clubs I might know - Tullamore - Raheny - Crusaders. The effort and intensity was something to see , from people very comfortable, to guys hitting a wall and a depth of effort and despair that is past my human comprehension. Athletics and sporting events like that, are probably one of the most uplifting for the human spirit - complete strangers giving support for each other - it is like a deeper part of the human mind and spirit - I love it. I rolled the window down and shouted - keep going - go on lad.

I guess in life there seems to be a need to do something outside of the norm - one lads hill walk is another's 1/2 marathon - one guys sea swim is another persons' cycle - one persons' rock concert is another persons' trip to an art gallery. I think the brilliant thing about a club in Ireland, is the sport or pursuit is the only common ground (maybe societies are even better). I play golf with so many different people - but there is a rich mix of backgrounds and attitudes and experiences that I can learn from. I agree on some things and fundamentally disagree with others - and that is ok. I'll still play golf and have a laugh about it all. Golf is an absolutely ridiculous sport , bizarre on so many levels. But there is nothing I have found in the world like it when it is perfect. My feeling on a golf course , perhaps when I've played well or when I can see the sea , is my special place. It is my running down that hill past the golf club - it is my crossing the line to a crowd in Tullamore.

In saying all that - a good few of these guys will end up playing golf like yourself. We need variety in golf and not people from the same background or attitudes. I love characters in golf and on teams. Are you available for a pick......

slave1 · 29-08-2022 11:58am

Ignore the troll folks

RoadRunner · 29-08-2022 12:38pm

Loved the whole day from start to finish!

Actually enjoyed the later start, lack of time-stress and lie on in the morning with time to warm up in a nearby range all positives. Family arrangements meant I didn't need to rush back home either.

Due to the unusual late start for me I actually felt very relaxed when I started the round, despite a funny feeling I was forgetting something all day. But hit a good drive down the first and realised I was all good. As I reached my drive I realised I had forgotten to put on my golf shoes before the round and was in my runners. I laughed it off and continued on my merry way.

Played great, definitely one of my best days on the course. Recent range session earlier in the week informed me that in the real world I really only need to swing at 90% off the tee for best results. So I tried that and it worked. I played mostly without too much stress and just enjoyed the round.

Standing on 16th tee I was -1 gross. One bad drive on 16 cost me heavily and I was left in an atrocious situation where it took me a number of swings to advance the ball back to fairway. I lipped out for a 6 on that hole leading to a triple bogey and an end to the chances of a par or better round, my long term goal. Funny, I hit a great provo off the tee (had to pick that one up), but hit a great approach after getting it back to fairway after a number of swings to where the provo finished, and actully hit an excellent first putt and read the break and pace correct. So I would have had tap in par, and may not have bogied the final two in response. So it would have absolutely been an under-par round (without question 😄).

I putted well on the day, minor adjustments before the round may have helped here, I'll be monitoring the change moving forwards because more research will be needed before any outlandish epiphanies can be claimed.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" - Carl Sagan

The banter was great. I've played with each of the lads a couple of times now. Great to see charlie playing the way he really can. Well done with the win bud! Great to see bohtoffee just hit the ball. Everyone here should try watch him hit a ball. If your in close you kind of hear-feel the power. The harmonics of it or something, it reaches you soul, maybe. As the ball leaves on a laser trajectory you spend a second just glad your not a golf ball. There's a great sound around tullamore. The sound of balls reverberates through the trees like a amphitheatre on many of tee boxes. Doublecross played poorly through injury. His good shots were still great - incredibly really, but his poor shots were greater in number than than you normally see from him. In the spirit of the day of sounds that stir the sound -I promise.. you'll never hear a better practice swing "whoosh" than you get out of doublecross. He might be doing it on purpose to show off, I'm not sure. The data on his whoosh was actually measured at enniscrone last year when his swingspeed was somehow captured. Next time, get in and listen to doublecross's practice swing and then bohtoffee ball sound at impact. If you could somehow combine the two of them? 😲

Thanks to everyone, particular fix for fixing this treat for us. As usual the committee were busy as work as soon as results were handed in and food was incredible. Maybe I was just hungry, but my veggie curry was lovely.

spacecoyote · 29-08-2022 1:38pm

My last little story from the day...

I was inside chained to the laptop while Fix was out entertaining the troops.

Was chatting with the girl working in the bar and she says...

"So you're the one that sorted out the session with Corey are ya"

"No", I reply, "that was Fix"

"Ah right", she replies, "why are you stuck in here sorting out all the scores?"

With a grin on my face I reply with "hes the face, I'm just his secretary..."

Was met with laugh and a smile in return

boccy23 · 29-08-2022 3:21pm

A great day out with Boards again. As my kids say now, "you're off with your virtual friends!". I say, no they are in fact real! Thanks to Captain Fix and all the various guys involved for a brilliant day. I'm probably a bit like Rory McIlroy after that one, I felt I was close all day but couldn't quite get it together. 😁 I was thinking back and one thing that became obvious about Tullamore is that all the trouble is on the right hand side of all holes. If you can control your ball flight (and know where it's going), you would score well. For me I was trying to avoid the trouble on the right and either couldn't (ball in water on 5 and in trees on right of 10) or aimed left and it stayed there ending up in timber. A hack out meant I was scrambling all too often.

The short clinic before the round was a fantastic idea and I will work on the tips Corey gave us over the coming nights in the short course area. It was great to have the chats and a bit of banter before hand as well. Lead to a very relaxed start to the day. Played with @kev_s88 @spacecoyote and @bakerbhoy which was an absolute pleasure. The first tee was like a little sanctuary of peace before the race began and not having a hoard looking meant that with less pressure, good drives were had.

I know that Space is moaning (🤣) about his low handicap and that Fix has it out for him, but he really has a velvet game. The 3W tee shots he hit were things of beauty. The bad luck around the turn probably upset more than it should but didn't prevent striping the longest drive at the time, only to have a brutal downhill lie over the hump in the middle of the 13th fairway. Summed up his day I think. I had played with Kev at Portmarnock but it was clear there is good progress being made on the game. He was super consistent. All he needs now is his beloved Jags to display that same consistency! First time playing with Baker and as always conversations are had over where Boards names come from. He has a lovely game as well. Again had very little luck. Beautiful iron shot into the long (again!!) 12th which was too big based on the small green was typical. We both felt that local knowledge was an advantage and we would know better the next time.

The course was majestic, the greens were excellent, but were very subtle and needed better skill than I had to read. The weather was like playing in Spain or somewhere with heat emanating off the turf. The lack of rain meant it was like playing a links type of iron shots a lot. Crisp strikes were well rewarded with balls that stopped quickly on the receptive greens. The facilities are second to none and the after shower was very well received. Sitting on the veranda (?) with fellow virtual friends having nice food and a good debrief was very enjoyable and probably the highlight of the day.

Again, thanks again to all involved and will see you in Kilkenny.

FixdePitchmark · 29-08-2022 4:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119537262#Comment_119537262

I love this narrative that I do nothing that has seemed to have defined the year ( I think I came up with that rumour myself). I never let the truth get in the way of a good story 😂

charlieIRL · 29-08-2022 5:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119537262#Comment_119537262

The society & committee would be lost without you and Seve’s hard work, it’s very much appreciated.

spacecoyote · 29-08-2022 5:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119538395#Comment_119538395

We all do our bit Charlie

benny79 · 29-08-2022 6:19pm

Any chance of goty standing's? Rumour has it I've dropped a place :(

spacecoyote · 29-08-2022 6:49pm

@Seve OB should be on the case I think. Tables are up to date, just need to stick it in a boards readable format

FixdePitchmark · 29-08-2022 9:15pm

2022 Boards Golf Society (2).pdf

Tullamore

Seve OB · 29-08-2022 9:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119538897#Comment_119538897

Swamped. Will do it in the morning

FixdePitchmark · 29-08-2022 9:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119539484#Comment_119539484

Posted - slightly different format , but should be ok.

Manhatton · 29-08-2022 10:29pm

Cheers Fix and co. for another good day out. Good company, great course and nice weather. Bobster and LinoRichie had decent rounds, well done lads. Snackbox20 will shoot the lights out one of these days when he tames the putter. As for my round, I think one of Bobsters words sums it up...I made a "hames" of it.

Thanks for the golf clinic. Great idea. I could do with a week or two of it before MJ.

Nice touch from the vice captain and Boards member to wish us well.

a post punk · 30-08-2022 7:36pm

Only posting now and great to read the reviews as usual. We’ll done Charlie on another boards win great shooting on the day in the links like conditions!!

My playing partners Kiith, Spuddy and Rally23 was a pleasure to play the round together. Being out first together with Kiith’s great course knowledge kept a good pace to the round.

I have to say I actually loved the course not just the great greens and multiple dogleg holes that force layups but when you look up and around, those trees have been watching golfers for many years and will for many more. Definetly my highlight of the year and the reason I keep coming back to play new courses is when you find 1 like Tullamore. Charlie you are lucky to be a member here with the course and facilities it offers….. if it was an hour and 45 minutes closer I’d join tomorrow !!

Anyway onto my own day ….not the best day and not the worst but all the problems were off the tee box. We had our presidents prize the evening before and while I knew I wouldn’t get a score near winning that (49 points won!! ) I knew it would be good practice to try get back up the Leaderboard with my round Saturday. I thought my driver was good Friday night but it deserted me Saturday , so badly so that I resorted to a 5 iron off the tee to just get in play and try muster a respectable score. Tullamore demanded accuracy off the tee , I didn’t have it so that was my day in a nutshell!!

Great food and banter afterwards , seemed like the whole group was in great spirits after the round irrespective of scores ( sign of a good course and pick by the Captain)

I won’t be making the jug team this year unfortunately ….it looks like …..so I can enjoy Mount Juliet and the great weekend that is boards captains day every year.

Ill sign off with a picture of my luck / no luck tee shot on the last par 3 , 1 of many trees I took the time to inspect on Saturday 😂😂

PP

Kiith · 30-08-2022 10:59pm

Only getting to this now as well, mad few days. Having been a member in Tullamore, i was really looking forward to this. Had been playing some nice gold as well lately, so hoped i'd have a decent score, to try and push into the top 10. But alas, most of my round was pretty poor, and disappointed with my score. Had 5-6 putts just not dropping when you'd expect, and had far too many drives getting me in trouble (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 16th, and 18th all into trouble...so yeah 🤔).

However my chipping was fantastic on the day, and definitely because of the lesson before hand. Thought that was a fantastic idea, and really helped me in an area i've been struggling lately. Looking forward to seeing if it can help me on a better round.

Enjoyed it overall though. Great company in a post punk, Spuddy and Rally23. Think my Jug fight is done, but sure we'll see what happens on the final day.

benny79 · 31-08-2022 11:22am

What Can I say this is probably the only boards event that I went out a few weeks earlier on a scouting mission as I really needed to play well.

My group was Alanm, Kieran and new member to me anyway blue note. Alanm I think was level par for front 9 but fell apart on back 9, 2 rounds of golf in a day probably catching up with him, I'd say but think still ended up with 80 strokes! Stuff I could only dream off but always a masterclass playing with him makes the game look so easy! Kieran who I have also played with a few times. Just had not got his game unfortunately. As I know he is a very good player and last but not least blue note love meeting new members and what a game blue note has! his swing just doesnt make sense to me. Such a slow black swing but his follow through and contact is unreal! sends it.. and I mean sends it! Is tap in eagle was unreal something you would only see on tour! The big hitters have serious competition here! lol..

And then there's me 😁 what can I say I love this game so much! I'd retire in the morning if I could and play it everyday and die a happy man! I had 2 hours sleep the night before as I was on baby duties and the little boy wonder wasn't playing ball 🙄🙈 So not the best start plus I missed the short game clinic.. But dont worry I'll be sure to remind the little bugger when he's older! 😂 I am hitting my driver/woods the best I have ever hit them in my golfing career but unfortunately my Irons have deserted me! This game 😣 So turned with just 10 points had a chat with myself. I just needed something and parred the 10th there it was! challenge accepted lets go and played the black 9 in 22 points! and could of been more. One thing about tiredness you cant putt for sh!t 😂 and this been the strongest part of my game really affected me. I had about 4 or 5 3 putts and I never 3 putt. 😉

But have to say a Fantastic day as is all the boards outings!

Congrats to Charlie on a fantastic score & actually winning something on his home course 😂😂😂

See you all In MJ

doublecross · 01-09-2022 10:32am

Well at least the weather was good, because my golf was sh$te. Fighting a slice at the moment, not sure if caused by injury or not (the excessive practice swings on each tee box was me trying to figure out what the hell I was doing wrong). Will find out once it heals I suppose. It wasn't helped by my putting either, couldn't get line or pace. Just one of those days.

At least I got to enjoy Roadrunner and Charlie tearing it up. The lads are usually pretty good off the tee but they were exceptional around the greens. Best I've seen RR putt. -1 on the 16th tee tells you enough. Well done to Charlie on the win, I think we'll have to give you an ESR off that handicap :)

First time playing with Bohtoffee and he really does crush the ball off the tee. Could have had a good score himself if it wasn't for the bunkers. I can see some good results in his future.

RoadRunner · 01-09-2022 11:07am

Just remembered a few minor pace-of-play type issues I had in tullamore (apols to my group & lads behind!)

Issue 1: With the crazy slopes on the greens, a number of times after marking my ball I struggled to put it back in the correct spot without it trailing away a quarter or half rotation down the hill. So it took me longer than normal to replace my ball a few times. (Also what to do here - these are not accidental movements or gusts causing it!)

Issue 2: ready to hit, more than once, a wasp came over (to try to steal my wallet?) which cost time as I wasn't ready to hit until he effed off or I removed him. Anyone notice similar on the day?

The Big Easy · 01-09-2022 3:29pm

I've just read back through the posts a second time and very enjoyable once again. Gutted I missed out as Tullamore truly is one of Ireland's great parklands.

I took advantage of missing my own Captain's and not getting a late spot for Tullamore by painting the house, such a shame to waste such good drying weather playing golf lads! 😉 should make the staying over for Captain's/Grand Final/Fix's Finale more palatable all round 😅

Drum roll please...............

The winner of the generously sponsored Stinger Golf Post of the Outing is @blue note for his heartfelt and touching post

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535340#Comment_119535340

Running him very close was former captain @benny79. My solidarity for you having your golf game affected by your baby son almost had me giving you the top prize! Fix assures me there is a prize of some description for you too 😀 Also as Fix said the shirts are a nice athletic fit, I thought you might be too muscular 😂

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119546917#Comment_119546917

Well done everyone, so looking forward to MJ now, I'm booked in already and cleared for staying over after 😅

I'm ready to go 2 for 2 in Mount Juliet, providing Charlie has been suitably chopped 😂

FixdePitchmark · 01-09-2022 3:44pm

Class posts lads. Blue note , you have a lovely writing style and Ken - as you slow down and age you are improving , like a fine wine , smelly cheese or an old car.

A shirt each guys - I'm softening as the end approaches - 2 hours sleep and the kids got me. ( "I don't care about the kids" previous post I withdraw 😂)

PM us color and size from this website.

https://www.stinger.ie/

benny79 · 01-09-2022 4:16pm

Jesus I actually won something! The tide is turning Gents 😎😂

Golfgraffix · 01-09-2022 5:35pm

If the ball moves after being marked it gets replaced, if it moves before being marked (picked up) it’s play as it lies

blue note · 02-09-2022 9:58am

Jaybus, I didn't expect that win. I'm delighted with it though. No handicap cut associated with it I assume?

RoadRunner · 02-09-2022 10:02am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119555538#Comment_119555538

Okay, that's what I thought. What if you can't get the ball on the exact spot when replacing the ball (about to take your putt).

For example. I'm trying to replace ball like the first case. Black dot is my marker, I line the ball up and pick up the marker. Arguments about using a line on the ball aside... when I put my ball down it continuously settles offline a centimetre or two closer to the hole (like the right side). We're only talking a centimetre, could someone say I was cheating similar to Lexi Thompson?

Fyi I eventually was able to get it to stay like the image on the left, but only after what felt like a minute of trying and I had to push the ball down into the grass slightly to get it to stay. This may be a situation the rules don't account for?

The Big Easy · 02-09-2022 10:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119558396#Comment_119558396

Definitely ban the line!

Boards Golf Society (Round 7) Tullamore Golf Club (27th Aug 1400 hrs)

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