A short history of the Examiner golf Amm Amm tournament
Catering as it does for amateur players in different handicap ranges - scratch to 7; 8 to 13 and 14 to 18 - the scramble for places on club teams guaranteed its future and, on final day, the winning combination can feel justly proud as they lift the Thomas and George Crosbie Memorial Cup.
Cork Golf Club played host to the tournament for the first six years and to Kenmare went the honour of winning the initial event in 1973. The Kerry club, represented by Jim Brosnan, Isadore O'Neill and Dermot Kerins, finished level with Charleville, scoring 48 stableford points in the threeman betterball competition, but gained first place as their low handicapper Brosnan had a better return than his Charleville counterpart.
A wonderful entry of 35 clubs from the Munster region gave the tournament a tremendous lift off and also well placed on this auspicious occasion were Castletroy, Ballybunion, Muskerry, Killarney, Doneraile, Cahir Park and Skibbereen.
Michael Quirke of Doneraile won best gross and the nett went to Seamus O'Neill from Killarney.
Brothers Frank and Kevin Ryan, both left handers, teamed up with neighbour Tom Fives to record a famous victory for Lismore in 1974. It was the club's first team success at any level and was all the more meritorious in that its representatives were sampling a course with sand bunkers for the very first time and what a baptism Little Island can be for the uninitiated.
Each member of the side contributed a vital birdie in their 48 points re turn and they held on to win from from Adare Manor, Ballybunion, Cork, Douglas, Tramore, Dungarvan, East Cork and Muskerry. The best gross prize went to Kevin Murray from Macroom with Conor Hayes, Muskerry, capturing the best nett award.
Lismore came close to repeating the performance in 1975 but were pipped at the post by Muskerry whose category one player Pat Hayes went round Cork Golf Club in a splendid, best of the day, 73 shots. Three handicapper Hay es received marvellous support from Michael Horgan and Gary Prendeville and their 48 points was just one too much for gallant Lismore. Skibbereen gained third spot ahead of East Cork, Dungarvan, Kinsale and Clonmel.
Not surprisingly Hayes won the gross by a comfortable margin and Kevin Ryan's 40 pointer earned the best nett prize for the Lismore player.
Dunmore brought the cup to West Cork for the first time in 1976 when the trio of Tom Ryan, Michael Minihan and Noel Flynn mastered the windy Little Island conditions to score 46 points, two ahead of Kinsale with Clonmel and Killarney next. Noel Morgan of Shannon was the best gross winner and Fermoy's John Barry clinched the best nett award.
Killarney registered another Kerry victory in 1977 when Jim O'Neill, Dermot Roche and Sean Brosnan dovetailed splendidly for 47 points one clear of the chasing pack led by Thurles, Dunmore and Tralee, all on the 45 mark. The gross and nett prizes went to J P O'Leary (Muskerry) and Michael O'Flynn (Fermoy) respectively.
It was Fermoy's turn to bask in the glory in 1978 when their 50 pointer over the Little Island track was an excellent achievement and equalled only by runners up Muskerry, who lost out on the countback of the category one players. Here Tony Gillis, with 37 points, paved the way for the Fermoy success being well supported by Eamonn O'Sullivan and Jim O'Grady. Cyril O'Brien, one of the Muskerry representatives, had set a new course record of 71 at Dungarvan on the previous day.
The Amm Amm tournament moved to Kerry for the first time in 1979 and Dooks recorded a great victory for the Kingdom county with a 46 points return at Waterville - two clear of Adare Manor. John O'Connell, a brother of former football star Mick, contributed birdies at the fifth, 13th and 17th, and there was solid support also from Sean O'Sullivan and Mick Murphy.
Mallow, East Cork, Waterville, Lismore, Youghal and Bantry Park were all well placed in the team event while Cyril O'Brien of Muskerry was tops in the gross section.
Clonmel was the venue for the 1980 promotion and it was Macroom who emerged victorious with a 48 points contribution by the trio of Bill McEvoy, Brendan O'Neill and John Kelleher. Bantry Park were just a point off the pace in second spot and were followed by Carrick on Suir, Cahir Park, Fermoy, Dungarvan and Muskerry. Fifteen years old Kieran Clancy from Mitchelstown won the best nett with 38 points and the gross went to Thurles two handi capper Declan Corcoran who went round in 75 shots.
Two holes in one were achieved when the tournament moved to Castletroy in 1981 and one of the ace makers, Fr Paddy Currivan, helped Mitchelstown to a two points triumph over Kinsale, Kenmare, Ennis, Waterville, Macroom a nd Charleville. Fr Currivan, then Vice Captain at Mitchelstown, holed out at the difficult 184 yards 16th and, earlier in the day, Richard O'Brien, the Kanturk club captain, had his moment of glory with an ace at the 174 yards eighth hole. Declan Corcoran from Thurles repeated his best gross victory of 12 months earlier with an excellent 71 and the nett prize went to Martin Walsh from Charleville, with 42 points.
Bantry Park won the event for the first time when Douglas hosted the tournament in 1982 with a 48 point betterball score from Donal McCarthy, Pat Buckley and Billy Flynn. Waterville, with four birdies from Loyal Goulding, finished second ahead of Carrick on Suir and Muskerry; Percy Shannon from Mallow was the best nett winner and the gross prize went to Jackie Harrington, Adare Manor.
Derek Maguire of Bantry Park scorched round Bandon in a record 68 shots in 1983 as the Kinsale team emerged triumphant - breaking the 50 points barrier for the first time since the tournament's inception with an outstanding 52 return. Kinsale, represented by Denis Moore and the Carrolls, Denis and Pat, scored 51 to relegate Bantry Park and Cork to the minor placings. Also to the fore were Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Bandon. Highlight of Maguire's round was an eagle two at the 383 yards ninth and he also had three birdies. Fanahan O'Leary from Mitchelstown was the gross prize winner with 73 while the nett award went to Kevin Devane, Castletroy, with a superb 45 points.
It took a remarkable 53 points from Skibbereen to win the 1984 event at Mallow and they only got home on the countback from Muskerry on a day of exceptional scoring. Thurles and Doneraile finished on 51 while Kinsale, Limerick, Clonmel, Newcastle West, Bantry Park, Tralee and Shannon hit the 50 mark. Skibbereen were out first that day and their team of Jack Kenneally, Con Murphy and John Kelly dovetailed beautifully to set a target that defied all challengers. Robbie McCarthy from Kinsale carded a two under par 70 to win the gross prize and the nett was won by Mallow nine handicapper Jim O'Brien with a marvellous 45 points.
Limerick, represented by Wilton Dennehy and the Ryans, Denis and Michael, took Muskerry by storm in 1985 to score 53 points and a victory margin of five - the biggest in the tournament history. They were followed by Mallow, Bantry Park and Killarney. Mallow's Jimmy Murphy had a best of the day 69 gross and another fine performance was turned in by Bart Kenny from Douglas whose 72 was highlighted by a three under run for the last five holes.
Youghal came close to achieving a host club victory in 1986 but were pipped at the post by Tipperary whose 48 points was just one too much.
Fermoy were also on 47 and Mallow came in fourth with 46. Alan Mescall, John Butler and Noel Horgan dashed the hopes of the home side represented by Richard Rusk, Billy Carroll and Dan Coleman. Best gross went to Tim Hickey from Doneraile while John McKeown, East Cork, was the nett prize winner with 39.
Limerick gained their second victory in 1987 at Shannon when their 52 points tally got home with a point to spare. Sixteen handicapper Ted O'Donovan was hero of the day with three birdies and he received tremendous supp ort from former Munster Boys champion Richard Leonard and captain's prize winner Michael Kemmy. Frankfield, and particularly Con O'Mahony, with four birdies, battled bravely in their quest for a major for the fledgling Cork club but they were delighted with second place in the field of 38 teams. Douglas finished third, ahead of Killarney, Charleville and Mallow.
Dooks in 1988 will be remembered for Ray Houghton's marvellous goal for Ireland in their defeat of England but the day also marked Lismore's second victory in the Examiner Amm Amm. Twelve handicapper Jim Hornibrook was the hero in the 51 points compilation, birdeying the second and both the par fives (seventh and 12th); Richie Ormonde birdied the ninth and Tom Cahill also played his part with six pars. As was the case with Youghal two yea rs earlier, host club Dooks, represented by John McGillicuddy, Pat Lynch and George Boyle had to be content with second place while Newcastle West, Douglas, Tralee and Dunmore completed the top six.
Limerick set a stiff target for all challengers by winning the tournament for the third time at Charleville in 1989. Their team of Denis Toomey, Arthur O'Riordan and Eamonn Dooley defied the wind to score 48 points - one better than Youghal who were represented by Paddy Goldspring, Dick Barry and Sean Murphy. Each of the Limerick side made valuable contributions with Army Officer O'Riordan birdieng the fifth; Toomey, a former Old Crescen t out half beat par at 15 and Dooley, a prominent hurler with South Liberties in his day, secured an all important par at the difficult 18th when the pressure was greatest.
Runners up Youghal pipped Castletroy and Tipperary for second place.
In 1990 it was Dungarvan's turn to sparkle in the glorious sunshine at Tramore as their trio of club captain P J Killigrew, Martin Lynch and Eddie Elstead scored 48 points to beat Kanturk on countback. First off the tee, Dungarvan, with Killigrew birdies at 12 and 15 and five pars apiece from his team mates, put it up to their rivals and only Kanturk, for whom Mossie Archdeacon was making his 16th appearance in the event, could stay in touch. Former winners Killarney finished third, ahead of Newcastlewest, Shannon and Killarney on a day which saw Billy Ormonde from Lismore score a hole in one at the 15th.
Fermoy made it Examiner Amm Amm title number two in 1991 with a nine points winning margin at Monkstown when the betterball format was changed in favour of all three singles cards counting for the team total. Left hander Eamonn O'Sullivan, a member of the successful team in 1978, brought in a magnificent 44 points, off 11; seven handicapper Derry Harte posted a splendid 42 and Jim O'Leary's 33 assured victory for the North Cork club wit h an aggregate 119 points. Kinsale, leaders for the greater part of the day, held on for second place ahead of Tipperary, Dooks, Bandon and Youghal. Another highlight of the outing was the performance of Waterville five h andicapper Tom Murphy who shot back to back eagles at the third and fourth holes.
Torrential rain threatened to force the abandonment of the 1992 event at Clonmel but, in a case of survival of the fittest, it was Carrick on Suir who emerged triumphant from 39 other clubs with 48 points three better than the host club. The victory was particularly sweet for five handicapper Noel Drohan, a regular member of the Carrick team for several years, who turned in yet another solid performance. He received fine support from To m Roche and Declan Sexton as the trio held off the challenge of the host club representatives Gus Grace, Pat Keane and Dick Prendergast. Tramore, Macroom, Muskerry and Tipperary were also well placed.
Lahinch was at its majestic best for the tournament's "coming of age" in 1993 and it was Youghal who basked in the glory, carding a wonderful 51 points to win the trophy for the first time. Former star athlete Paddy Colem an teamed up with Tony O'Connor, a Cork minor and under 21 hurler in the 80s, and Tony Aherne to edge out Waterville, Kenmare, Dungarvan, Tipperary and Macroom. Highlight of O'Connor's round was an eagle at the par five s econd where he hit a four wood of 200 yards to within four feet of the flag. Coleman was a model of consistency and Aherne's par threes at the third and 16th proved significant at the finish. A highlight of the day was th e brilliant 43 pointer by Fermoy five handicapper Derry Harte who, in a marvellous round, birdied seven holes - 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 18th.
A record 44 clubs made for a terrific contest at the Lee Valley Golf and Country Club in 1994 and the occasion provided Bandon with its first win in the competition. Gerry Mehigan had three birdies on his way to 36 points ; Ricky Galvin covered the first five in one over and he also birdied the tenth, while Noel Coghlan's four pars from the 11th proved crucial as Bandon's 49 points pipped Kenmare on the last six holes.
Mallow, Fota Island, Dunmore and Waterville were next on a day which saw Cobh's Paul McGee return a sparkling 44 points - one under par for the seven handicapper.
Dromoland Castle, competing in the event for the first time, created their own bit of history by winning at Dungarvan in 1995. Their trio of Padraig McGrath, James Hassett and Brian Sheedy accumulated 52 points to win by two from Youghal and Kanturk with Macroom, Carrick on Suir and Ballybunion completing the top six. Eighteen handicapper McGrath made a telling contribution to the Dromoland success with ten pars and a birdie while Vinnie Tobin of the host club was the day's top individual, shooting a two under par 70 which featured birdies at the 1st, 5th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 18th.
The 1996 tournament at Adare Manor G.C. saw East Cork etch their name on the cup when their 51 points return from Sean McSweeney, Kieran T O'Sullivan and James Howley won on countback from Muskerry and Castlegregory. Sharing the honours with East Cork was Michael Quirke from Doneraile who set a new course record of 65 despite dropping a shot at the second. He reached the turn in one under 34 and stormed home in 31, thanks to birdies at the 11th, 12th and 17th. Quirke's 65, off one handicap, equated to 41 stableford points and it bettered the previous best of Garrett Howard who shot 66 in winning the Adare Manor G.C. Captain's prize 12 months earlier.
A record 52 teams participated in the Amm Amm tournament at Killarney in 1997 (the competition's silver jubilee year) and the honours went to Mitchelstown by one point over Templemore. Crucial was the birdie at the last on the Killeen Course by six handicapper Gary Luddy as his four pointer edged the Cork team clear on 49 points. Luddy got great support from the other team members Helmut Rondthaler (13) and Dave Coughlan (17) and the victory marked the second by the club as they had also won at Castletroy in 1981. Feature of the Templemore return was the eagle at the par five 16th by seven handicapper John Russell. Also in the eagle mood was Skibbereen's Tom O'Driscoll (12) who reduced the 7th hole to three shots.
The Cahir Park club hosted the tournament in 1998 and youth was certainly to the fore as the Killorglin team of 20 year old John Falvey, his brother Conor, aged 15, and Graham Dunlea (13 years) scored 51 points to foil Mitchelstown in their back to back title bid. Dunlea, playing off 18, reeled off five pars; Conor Falvey (12 handicap) did even better with seven pars and a birdie while John Falvey shot two great birdies at the 3rd and 8th . Runners up Mitchelstown were represented by Kieran Clancy, Andrew Hickey and Tom Ryan. East Clare, Waterville, Kinsale and Cork G.C. completed the top six.
Kenmare, who had the honour of winning the first Examiner Amm Amm in 1973, regained the Cup in style at Kinsale's Farrangalway course in 1999. Tadhg Harrington birdied the difficult 17th and Pearse O'Shea repeated the feat at the last for a 52 points total and victory, on countback, over Dunmore. Their third team member Geoff Mahony also played his part with four pars and an invaluable birdie at 13. Dunmore were represented by Donal Harri ngton, John Nyhan and Brendan O'Sullivan and their 27 points on the back nine was one behind the winners. Also making it to the top six were Youghal, Douglas, Ross (Killarney) and Castlegregory.
Woodstock (Ennis) hosted the event in 2000 and the honours went to the Newcastle West trio of Eoin O'Connor, Marius Stokes and Mike Cussen who scored the first ever triumph for their club. Three handicapper O'Connor eagled the par five 10th and birdies at the 3rd and 6th helped the team score to 49 points. Stokes (12) had a birdie and four pars while 16 handicapper Cussen also played his part with pars at the 8th, 9th and 15th. Mallow, re presented by Noel McGuckin, Gavin Kelly and Ronan Byrne, also scored 49 points but lost the top spot on back nine countback. Glengarriff, with 48 points, finished third, ahead of Shannon and Limerick.
The Gold Coast trio of Eoin Ryan, John White and Michael Wall emerged triumphant at nearby Dungarvan in 2001, scoring two birdies apiece and there was not a single bogey in sight as they compiled a magnificent 53 points.
Runners up Youghal, represented by Mark McSweeney, Lar Dunne and Stuart Jack scored 51 to finish clear of Macroom, Cahir Park, Dunmore and West Waterford. Cahir Park's Conn O'Driscoll was in sparkling form, going round in 70 shots.
Fermoy added to their 1978 and 1991 successes when coming out on top on a day of torrential rain at Newcastle West in 2002. Six handicapper Ray Hurley was the star of the show with four birdies and six pars and, despite a seven at the last, was still round in 73.
Munster GUI Branch official Bill Murphy birdied the 6th and 16th and the third team member Jim Dowling birdied the fourth and parred four of the more difficult holes as well. Carrick-on-Suir, represented by Michael Foley, Tony Ryan and Thomas Butler finished a point adrift on 49 with Douglas, Kanturk, Bantry Bay and Dungarvan next in line.
Newcastle West featured the 30th running of the tournament and now its roll on Kenmare as the inaugural winners host the event on June 8, 2003 as part of the club's Centenary Year celebrations.
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