Record breaking win for Joe

Joe Dillon (Headford GC) carded a brilliant course-record 63 (-9) to ease to victory in the SMJ & Darwin Construction Thurles Pro-Am.

The Headfort GC man pencilled in eight threes on his card as he finished three shots clear of Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort).

“I've been playing nearly better than that all year and just shooting horrendous scores. Picking the wrong club here and there and killing any momentum,” said Joe.

“I just tried to stay patient. I always seem to come into a bit of form around this time of the year. I was praying and hoping that was going to happen.”
With a shotgun start in operation, Joe, who was out in the afternoon wave, began his round at the second and played his opening eight holes in four under par with birdies coming at the third, fourth, sixth, and eighth.

He started his back nine with a further birdie at the 10th and reached six under for the round with a birdie at the par-five 13th. He dropped a shot at the par-four 17th but responded superbly with an eagle three at the 18th and a final birdie at the first.

“Coming off the 17th I knew I needed to beat six under par and I then holed my pitch for eagle at the 18th,” added the 27-year-old.

“I played my last hole relatively conservatively. I knew I could reach in two and two-putt. I shot 64 last year in the Southern Championship and I wanted to beat that.

“As I said, I've been struggling a bit scoring wise but I knew it was going to come along and when it finally arrived, I wasn't afraid to let it happen.”
The team prize was won by Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) and amateur partners Pat Barrett, Bill Hanley and Pat Twoomey with 97pts.