Golf Club of Dublin holds 4th annual Dublin City Championship

The Golf Club of Dublin held the 4th annual Dublin City Golf Championship on July 21-22. 101 golfers participated. First round scores were used to determine what flight a player would be in. First and second round scores were totaled to determine a golfer’s placing in that flight. A sandbagger rule was in effect so that anyone who shot a score 10% or more less than their first round score would be moved up a flight. Players competed in either the championship, first, second or third flight.

The weather cooperated this year as conditions were more like fall than the middle of July. As is usually the case at this course, the wind wreaked havoc throughout both days. Rumor has it that the greens were running a 13 so if you are used to much slower greens, you had a bit of an adjustment to make. Above is the par 4, number 9 at the Golf Club of Dublin. One of my small victories was to par this hole on both days. Not bad for the #1 handicap hole on the course.

Familiarity with the numerous quirks of this course could have proven extremely helpful. I had forgotten about the number of holes where water lurks behind the greens. Nos. 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17 all have water behind the greens waiting to drown your ball. With such fast greens and hard fairways, you can begin to see how a ball that hits in front of the green can easily roll through the green and into the water.

Speaking of fast, tricky greens, my threesome took at least 11, if not 12, putts on the 18th green on Saturday.

Even if you are not interested in the competition, the event offers 2 rounds of golf, carts, a Footjoy golf glove, Footjoy sandals, Footjoy socks, two box lunches, a steak dinner, and a shock to your pride all for only $125. I definitely felt it was a bargain, met some great people, and had a good time. My only beef would be the pace of play. 18 on Sunday approached 6 hours.

I almost forgot. We had a bagpiper greet us on Sunday. Definitely a nice touch! Congratulations to Tom Sholl (in my first group on Saturday) for winning the prize for the longest putt!