Shane Jenkinson (St. Margarets) produced a superb performance to win The Ruddy Cup for Trainee Professionals at The European Club. The Wicklow links was lashed by driving wind and rain but Jenkinson somehow managed to compile an excellent one over par 72.
“It was brutal, end of the world stuff to play in,” said Dubliner Shane who recently completed his third year PGA exams.
To put his score into context, Shane’s round was five shots better than second-placed Craig Melvin (Corrstown GC) on a day when only four players broke 80 and it was a case of ‘Beware the injured golfer’.
“I haven’t been playing much because of the exams and I’ve also had injury issues,” added Shane.
“I did a Tony Finau. I popped my ankle playing football a few weeks ago. I seriously considered not playing the event at all because my back was also giving me a problem but I went down, took some painkillers, put some rub on my back and tried not to make a show of myself.”
The 29-year-old St Margaret’s Golf and CC assistant went to the turn in two over 37 and came back in one under 35 which included back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th.
He added; “I wasn’t expecting anything. It was damage limitation for 18 holes really but I know the course reasonably well and managed to miss it in the right places so I couldn’t really mess it up totally.”
Sponsor Pat Ruddy applauded the efforts of the winner in coping with the conditions.
“The players had their work cut out because of the weather so congratulations to Shane, it was a very good score,” said Pat.
“I notice Shane trains at another Ruddy designed venue, St Margaret’s, he clearly knows how to beat Ruddy!”
The Ruddy Cup for Trainee Professionals sponsored by Pat Ruddy at the European Golf Club
Leading scores
1 Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret’s Golf & Country C)+1 F 72
2 Craig Melvin (Corrstown Golf Club) +6 F 77
T3 Stephen Barry (Royal Tara Golf Club) +7 F 78
T3 Liam Whelan (Craddockstown Golf Club) +7 F 78
5 Conor Coyne (Lisheen Springs Golf Club) +9 F 80
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