Purcell strikes gold to land Munster Mid-Amateur title

Slievenamon’s Kevin Purcell was able to savour his first Munster Championship title when he scooped top honours at the Munster Mid-Amateur at Gold Coast golf club.

Out in the first group in the afternoon, the wind began to pick up but not as much as Purcell’s game as he raced to the turn in four-under par on his way to a superb second round 68.

That was the best of the afternoon results with Purcell going on to claim victory by a single stroke over Alan Thomas (72, 71) who took second place after coming home with three birdies.

First round leader, Eddie McCormack looked the man to beat after his opening 67 tied the course record and had him four clear of the field.  However, a second round 76 took the Galway man out of the lead with McCormack eventually finishing just one shot off the pace, taking third place having been edged by Thomas on countbck.

As the wind picked up in the afternoon, several other golfers found trouble on the panoramic course with fourth placed Eoghan McCarthy (Fermoy) the only other golfer to break par on a stiff test for all involved.

Selected results

1^st  Kevin Purcell (Slievenamon)142

2^nd Alan Thomas (Dungarvan) 143 (2nd 18)

3^rd   Eddie McCormack (Galway) 143

4^th Eoghan McCarthy (Fermoy) 145

5^th  Eoin Marsden (Tullamore) 146 (2nd 18)

Best nett:  Neal Mackell (Dundalk) 142

Second nett: Jamie Kiely (Slievenamon) 144