Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club host Scratch Cup in March

The Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club greenkeepers have been busy working the course in preparation for the Scratch Cup on 25 March.

They will be using the timesheet system, where players book a time to play. The club have used the timesheet for the last two years – it cuts out a lot of waiting around.

This year will be different in that it will be a two-session shotgun start. The club will keep players informed on bookings through their Facebook page. The Scratch Cup will be a 54-hole competition, the top 12 after 36 will compete for the cup.

There will also be prizes for the two Ladies grades, Junior grade, Intermediate grade and the last 18.

Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club mark 50th anniversary

As Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club, situated behind Derrygreenagh Park, began in 1972, members celebrated the 50th anniversary last year.

The club entrance and clubhouse are near the Mullingar Road entrance of Derrygreenagh Park – which was built in 1955 by Bord na Móna on what was once the Halford Farmstead.

It had many green areas and there was also a large area of unused land, owned by Bord na Móna, at the back.

At a meeting of residents in 1971, in house number 54, which was vacant at the time, Des McCormack discussed the idea of acquiring land from Bord na Móna to use as a pitch and putt course. Others present at that meeting included Bill Swords, Joe Carroll, Danny Smith and Tom Gahan.

The board at Derrygreenagh Works was approached and land for a nine-hole course down the Mullingar road area of Derrygreenagh Park was granted.

A meeting was then held in house number 84, McCormack’s, where Des McCormack and Bill Swords sought advice from Dick Abraham, Tullamore, and Jack McCormack, Kilbeggan, on the process involved in setting up a club and becoming affiliated to the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland.

And so, Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club were founded, their first course a nine-hole on the Mullingar Road, at the entrance to Derrygreenagh Park.

In 1974, the club approached Bord na Móna once again and permission was granted to develop the ground behind Derrygreenagh Park into an 18-hole pitch and putt course.

Bord na Móna provided the necessary machinery, and that - plus huge amounts of manual work - leveled the land and picked stones. George Bagnall is one of many remembered as helping the new course to take shape.

A large bog hole was filled with old cars, and that area is the location of the 15th and 16th greens.

Bill Swords did a fine job on designing the course layout.

The excellent quality of the course and friendly camaraderie meant Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt Club earned popularity from the outset. The club became an integral part of life in Rochfortbridge and enhanced the lives of many people, locally and further afield.

Many prize cups, some donated by local businesses, some in memory of former members, have encouraged keen competition down the years; they include The Bord na Móna Cup, The Joe Daly Cup, The Wonderglaze Cup, The Martin Coyne Memorial Cup, The Sonny Heeney Memorial Cup and The George Bagnall Memorial Cup.

Over the years, the course has evolved into one of the best in Westmeath and Leinster.

A committee meeting earlier this year decided to hold a three-ball scramble to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Invitations were made up and sent to clubs all over Leinster and beyond, and 110 people turned out to play on the day making it a special occasion for all involved.

The club wish to thank all clubs for their support. A special mention goes to Athgarvan Club and Ringcommon Club for their gifts on the day.

Thanks to the course committee and the two green keepers, Fergal O’Connor and Vincent (Hands) Conroy and all who worked in the kitchen and on the scoreboard.

Results from the day: Mixed: 36G: A. Revins, J. Revins, D. Mullins (85) (Kilbeggan). 36N: M.White, J. White, P. McCarthy, (66) (Rochfortbridge). All In: 36G: S. Dinnegan, M. Dinnegan, D. Dinnegan (79) L/Owel. 36N: M. Kelly, R. McNamee, P. Loughlin (62) (Edenderry). Thank you to everyone involved in making the day a very enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt course is a fantastic all-year-round facility. It is available for green-fees, and societies and schools are welcome. Coaching is available on request and new members to the club are always welcome.