Baltinglass miss out on Barton Cup glory after an epic sudden-death showdown
Baltinglass GC Barton Cup team: Back row L to R: Raymond Danne, Robert McHugh Jnr, Stephen Patterson, Jeff Worth, Jason Bowes, Nathan Geraghty Byrne, David J Whelan, Nick O’Neill, Tom O’Neill PGA Professional, Fergal Doogue. Front row L to R: Michael O’Neill, Benny Doyle, Niall Doogue, Team Manager’s Dave Prendergast and Paddy Lord, Captains Chris Murphy and Clare O’Neill, President Pat Byrne.
Golf fans were treated to a spectacular conclusion to this year’s Barton Cup, as Malahide Golf Club edged out Baltinglass Golf Club in a thrilling two-legged final that went all the way to a sudden-death playoff.
Played over two weekends, the final showcased the very best of inter-club golf – skill, sportsmanship, grit, and plenty of drama.
Malahide capitalised on home advantage early, with David Whelan Snr and Michael O’Neill of Baltinglass losing on the 16th green.
A solid performance from Stephen Patterson and Jeff Worth delivered a 3&2 win to level the match.
A nail-biting clash then saw Niall Doogue and Benny Doyle narrowly edged out on the 19th hole, followed by a 3&2 loss for Robert McHugh Jnr and Nathan Geraghty Byrne.
However, David Whelan Jnr and Jason Bowes delivered a heroic win on the 22nd green to bring Baltinglass to within a point.
The return leg saw the home team mount a fierce comeback, spurred on by a huge home crowd and a pristine course.
Stephen Patterson and Jeff Worth struck early again with a 3&2 victory followed by an emphatic 4&3 win from Robert McHugh Jnr and Nathan Geraghty Byrne.
Niall Doogue and Benny Doyle then edged their match on the 19th, giving Baltinglass a 3–0 lead on the day and a 5–3 advantage overall.
But Malahide's remaining pairings held their nerve, overcoming Raymond Danne and Nick O’Neill 3&2 before Jason Bowes and David Whelan Jnr were beaten to the 18th.
That left the sides level at 5–5 and bound for a three-hole sudden-death playoff, where the Dublin club rode their momentum to an impressive victory.
