The J.B. Carr Diamond Trophy Tournament

The four Provincial finalists this year were Ballinrobe, Castle Hume, Ennis and The Island Golf Clubs.

In the semi-finals Ballinrobe defeated Castle Hume 3.5 to 1.5 and Ennis got the better of The Island by four matches to one.

Castle Hume then went on to clinch third place before a very exciting final between Ballinrobe and Ennis.

The result was 3-2 to Ballinrobe with the winning match going to the 20th hole.

Ballinrobe:

• Michael Lee and Bart Crowley beat Paul Higgins and Tony Coote on the 19th
• Frank Burke and Tom Conlisk beat Noel Pyne and Johnny Cullinan 3 and 2
• Val McMahon and Joe Cradock Beat Tony Kehoe and Eamon Corry on the 20th

Ennis:

• Luke Coote and Eamon Kelly beat Charlie O'Sullivan and Eddie Hackett 1up
• Pat Murphy and Matt Flynn beat John Monahan and Richie Donohue 2 and 1

The rules of this great national tournament can be viewed online here.

The finals were an exciting affair. To give you some idea of the occasion, it could not have been better scripted. Both teams were 2 matches apiece with final match coming up the 18th, Galway were out on the 1st fairway in 3 in the bunker on the right of the green in 4. Ennis were over the road about 50 yards form the green in 2; it looked a foregone conclusion, but no Galway on the green in 5 down for 6 Ennis on the green for 3 down in 6. Therefore the 19th hole was the decider which Ennis won with a par. To see the crowd around the green for the decider was like the olden days of the British Open.

That evening, the prizes and the Trophy presented by the Carr family. They thanked the Organisers that are us for a magnificent job well done. Gerry Coleman rounded off the proceedings with some well spoken words, praising his committee and extended a big thank you to William Doyle Managing Director of Newbridge Silverware for their very kind sponsorship of the tournament following which Gerry received a standing ovation which he duly deserved.

Everyone said the course was in perfect condition, and each team were absolutely in awe of the Greens and most exclaimed that they had never played on surfaces like this before. During the evening meal Fr. Jerry regaled us with his usual humour and everyone returned home with very pleasant memories of a week end in the Garden Haven of Woodenbridge.