Nicholas Grimmitt from Wales captured the Irish Seniors Amateur Open at Co Tipperary, carding a final round 71 to win by one shot from Tramore’s John Mitchell.
Mitchell was cruelly denied a playoff place when his par putt lipped out at the last. Having carded the joint best round of the week — and only the second sub-par effort — Grimmitt took top honours.
The Welshman was four shots behind setting out and it was only on the back nine that his title challenge began to materialise. Having turned in 37, two over, he had not yet made headway. With three birdies in his last five holes, Grimmitt stole a march on the field. His three-round total of 223, plus seven, proved best.
Mitchell, who was at the head of affairs from day one, could have forced a playoff with a closing par but his six-footer caught the lip and stayed out. The Tramore man began his final round joint leader with England’s Andrew Carman.
One clear of the field, Mitchell had the lead outright when Carman fell away on the front nine. Turning for home, Mitchell looked the likely winner until Grimmitt’s late birdie charge.
Grimmitt made four birdies on the back nine, beginning with a four at the 11th. He then made three in four holes from the 14th, which put him in the clear. Like Mitchell, he bogeyed 18, but his was not as costly.
When the home challenger failed to get up and down at his 72nd hole, the title was Grimmitt’s. Mitchell had to settle for second. England’s Douglas Cameron finished a shot further back in third. Next best of the Irish players was Joseph McWilliams from Naas, who was tied fourth following a final round 74.
IRISH SENIORS AMATEUR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Co Tipperary GC, 17-19 May
Results
223 N Grimmitt (Wales) 78, 74, 71
224 J Mitchell (Tramore), 72, 76, 76
225 D Cameron (England), 74, 76, 75
226 I Attoe (England), 77, 75, 74; J McWilliams (Naas), 76, 76, 74
227 I Clarke (England), 72, 77, 78
228 I Smyth (Clandeboye), 78, 76, 74; M Ready (England), 78, 73, 77; H Smyth (Mourne), 74, 75, 79
229 G Wilson (England), 79, 76, 74; N Evans (Wales), 78, 71, 80; J Hughes (Woodbrook), 77, 76, 76; T Tyrrell (The Heath), 77, 74, 78; G Forrest (England), 74, 82, 73; A Carman (England), 74, 74, 81; S East (England), 73, 81, 75
230 R Elmes (England), 72, 77, 81
232 T Lennon (Carlow), 79, 77, 76; P Rogers (Dundalk), 79, 77, 76; C Jones (England), 78, 77, 77; T Cleary (Cork), 78, 76, 78; J Ambridge (England), 76, 77, 79; O O’Herlihy (England), 75, 83, 74
233 T Heenan (Doneraile), 81, 76, 76; R Partridge (England), 79, 76, 78; B O’Leary (Greystones), 77, 79, 77; C Pates (England), 74, 82, 77; E Heywood (City of Derry), 74, 80, 79
234 R Clark (England), 81, 73, 80; M Quirke (Doneraile), 73, 79, 82
235 A Mew (England), 81, 76, 78; M Kelly (Naas), 79, 79, 77; A Williams (Wales), 79, 78, 78; B Florence (England), 77, 80, 78; J Crean (Kinsale), 77, 80, 78; T Patterson (Scotland), 74, 75, 86
236 N Duke (Killiney), 82, 76, 78; L Halpin (Westport), 81, 77, 78; P Bramall (England), 79, 79, 78; D Corcoran (Thurles), 76, 81, 79
237 M Stones (England), 79, 79, 79; M Ahern (Skerries), 78, 77, 82; M Gaynor (Co. Meath), 76, 75, 86; M Cooper (England), 75, 76, 86
239 D Wilson (Royal Co. Down), 78, 79, 82
240 D Weekes (Malone), 78, 79, 83
241 J Wright (England), 79, 78, 84
253 D McCart (England), 81, 83, 89
RTD D Deasy (Waterford), 76, 78; A Atkinson (England), 79, 76; S Robson (England), 83, 78
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