Memorable weekend for Carlow golfing family
Charlie McHugh, with his father John
It was two days to remember for the McHugh family at Carlow Golf Club when John McHugh recorded an Albatross 2 at the par five 5th in an Open Singles Competition on Thursday. The following day on the same course, his son, Charlie won the Boys Carlow Scratch Cup.
The fifteen year old, who has played on the Leinster team his year, was a convincing winner shooting a one under par total of 69 edging out Ross Staunton (Westmanstown), Darragh O’Toole (Courtown) and Dylan Cullen (Carlow) who all recorded 73s on the day.
His father John says his son has a neat and compact game.
“He is very consistent off the tee and in all departments. He is tidy enough around the greens and driving is his strongest point. He doesn’t get into trouble too often. It was a nice win.” The one handicapper enjoyed Leinster and Munster top-ten finishes this year so this victory was a sweet one for the teenager as the season begins to wind down.
Charlie follows in the footsteps of other Carlow golfers such as Tommy Lennon, John Swan, Jason Farrell, Paul Bulfin and Willie Jones. Cian Doyle was the last Carlow winner back in 2013.
Niall Egan made it a Carlow double when he took the under 16 first gross with a 78.
Over the weekend, John McHugh himself was still being congratulated after his feat when holing out in two on the fifth. He played with a friend from Dublin, Omar Bhamjee, Ronan McGrane a brother of Carlow club professional, Damien, who also made up the fourball. The four handicapper took a driver off the tee and when he struck a perfect five iron for his second shot he knew he had to be close at the very least.
“Obviously we didn’t see it go into the hole. When we went down to the green and didn’t see it we had a fair idea it might be in the hole. The pin was on the middle. Damien went up to the flag and gave me the thumbs up. It was a nice moment. It was my first ever albatross.
“A hole in one is nice because you can usually see it going in the whole way. The albatross is a bit of a fluke but it is great to get it,” said John.
Meanwhile on Thursday in the same competition, Billy Fanning, holed out in one at the 13th par three hole.
He used what he affectionately calls his “Little Pepe” , a 23 degree Titleist rescue club when recording his feat.
“The boys said it has to be in it. When they saw it wasn’t on the green then we knew it had to be in,” he said.
“It is a peculiar feeling to get one. You don’t know what is after happening. I would take a two there any time.”
The previous week, another Carlow golfer, Pat Lacey, aced the 13th when he played in the Open Seniors Competition.
