Pierce Purcell v Hollywood Lakes
Sutton advanced to the second round of the Pierce Purcell Shield with a very narrow win over Hollywood Lakes. Our opponents were Leinster finalists last year and it was more-or-less the same team that played against us.
At home, Captain Mark Hogan and Johnny Lappin went out first and as expected, were superb. In foursomes, accuracy, simplicity, decision-making and solid putting are key, and these guys put on an exhibition on how to win. They literally didn’t put a foot wrong, got ahead early, and kept it that way all the way through, cruising to a 4&3 victory. Their last hole, the 15th , was won with a birdie 2; Mark hit a perfect tee shot to 12 feet beyond the back-left pin. Johnny slotted the putt. This was matchplay golf worthy of a higher level, and one would expect these guys to feature in other teams for Sutton this season. They demonstrated real leadership and class.
In match 2 it was youth and experience combined with Oisin Cunningham making his Sutton debut alongside Gordon Linehan. Gordo is a winner and perfectly complemented Oisin. If Oisin lacked experience he certainly didn’t lack confidence under pressure and stepped up to take the crucial first drive. It was far-and-sure and set up a Sutton win 1 up at the first. The lads were in a real ding-dong battle all the way with a highly experienced and very impressive Hollywood Lakes duo. With Match 1 looking comfortable, the crowd were drawn to this enthralling match. At a crucial stage, Sutton went 2 up with 5 to play. But a crucial birdie-par salvo brought it back to all-square. A shot-of-the-season contender was Gordon’s pitch from the rough high left of the 16th to six inches. That turned a likely loss into a crucial win and got us to 1 up on 17. Both teams were in greenside bunkers, but it was Hollywood Lakes who sank a 12-foot putt for par. All square on the 18th tee.
Over in Ballyboughal, Sutton’s pairings were Derek Hunter and Cian Bennis and Mark Banahan and Tom O’Gorman. It’s a very long course in superb condition with devilish greens. Derek and Cian were awesome from tee to green, but the home advantage was evident on the greens, the subtle breaks seemed counter-intuitive, and it wasn’t to be for our long hitting first group. John Lally, our manager in Hollywood Lakes, confirmed Derek and Cian were stellar. They never visited the trees or the water – the putts just didn’t drop. They lost 3&2 in the end to an unbeaten pair.
In match 2, Tom and Mark were fighting hard, but the app always seemed deliver bad news, 1 down, 2 down, 1 down and then the hammer blow 3 down with 5 to go. It seemed like an inevitability this was a lost cause. Mind you, Mark Banahan has a blue pennant to his name and hates losing. Tom is a highly experienced battler and, as they said, they dug in and fought hard. They won 15 with a fine par but dormie 2 was the call from the home pair, and this fired up Sutton. On the Par 3 17th we were right of the green pin high with the opposition safely on board. A world-class chip from Tom to 3 feet put the pressure on, and the opposition 3-putted as Mark tapped in for 3. The 18th is one of the best finishing holes in Ireland. From a high tee box, Tom and is opponent both fired pro-like drives. Mark now had 170 yards into the wind, over water.
Back in Sutton, Gordon did what Gordon does. With 40 plus people watching he drilled his 18th drive right down the middle – he was 30 yards past the opponent, who had also found the fairway. The Lakes hit their second with a rescue into the bunker short left. Oisin Cunningham plays no fewer than four musical instruments but at this moment he found the finest of tunes from his 8 iron and stuck it high into the Sutton sky onto the front of the green. A standing ovation was appropriate. Gordon rolled up a 20-foot putt to gimme range, and a par won the vital second home point. All we need now is a half point away, with a playoff likely and Derek and Cian were keeping warm and practicing on the range.
Mark Banahan now faced a character-building shot. Would he lay up? There was a mild groan from one or two of the Sutton fans when he pulled out a piece of furniture. Cometh the hour, comet the man. Mark struck a smooth and perfect hybrid over the water to the heart of the green. It was a shot for the ages. This forced the hand of our opponents who found the water with their approach, and again with their next. The match was over and Sutton secured the vital half point.
Hollywood Lakes were very welcoming hosts on their superbly presented course. They are a team of gentlemen. Sutton face Beaverstown in the next round.
