Lord Mayor's Cup

Since its inception in 1951 the Lord Mayor's Cup has been synonymous with Clontarf Golf Club. The brainchild of Jack Belton, the then Lord Mayor of Dublin and former Captain of Clontarf Golf Club, the Lord Mayor's Cup has been competed for by golfers of distinction for 58 years now. Players such as Ryder Cup star Philip Walton, Martin Sludds and David Kinsella, who won in 1964, have all been entrants. The 1989 winner, Robbie Moore from Howth G.C., competed in the 1999 Canadian Open at Glen Abbey G.C.

The qualifying round is 18 holes singles strokes, played on a scratch basis, and usually takes place on the second Sunday in August each year, with the leading 64 players qualifying for the match play stages which are played throughout the week. Entry is open to players of affiliated golf clubs who hold a handicap of four to nine at the date of the qualifying round. The timesheet opens two weeks in advance of the competition and those interested in competing are advised to enter early as this event is one of the most popular on Leinster's golfing calendar. A full timesheet each year, comprising of all single figure golfers, bears testament to its popularity with many competitors returning year after year with the hope of finally getting their names inscribed on the famous cup.

LORD MAYOR'S CUP FINAL 2011

The home representative, Turlough Considine, became the oldest winner of the competition when he defeated youngster Leo Connolly of Malahide G.C. 3 & 2 in the final on a dull and overcast day at Clontarf G.C. Considine has been long associated with the event as both a sponsor and player.

Connolly got off to a great start when he birdied the 1st hole; however, Considine immediately indicated his intentions with wins on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes. Connolly took both the 5th and 7th holes with the intervening short 6th hole being halved. Connolly looked like taking the 8th when he was just off the green in two with Considine missing the green very wide left with his approach shot and with a tree blocking his approach he sensibly played to the front of the green and superbly pitched in for a four while Connolly three-putted to lose the hole. The 9th was halved in fours to leave Considine 2up at the turn.
Considine piled the pressure on his young opponent winning the 10th and 12th with the par three 11th being halved. Although Connolly reduced the deficit with a birdie win at the 13th Considine replied with a birdie on the 14th to go 3up. Connolly won the 15th but the game ended on the 16th with Considine hitting the green in two and, Connolly, from a perfect tee shot, missed the green right and failed to match Considine's par. So Considine, a former beaten finalist, won by a 3 & 2 margin and finally got his hands on one of the most coveted trophies for single-figure junior handicap golfer. The match was played throughout in the best sporting tradition by two worthy finalists.
In the semi-finals played earlier in the day Considine beat his fellow member, a young 16 year-old Conor Stone 4 & 3 and Connolly beat Jamie Doyle from Forrest Little 1up.

Click on above link for past winners' list.

BROTHERS MAKE HISTORY IN 2002

There was no brotherly love lost when the Fennelly brothers contested the 2002 final of the 52nd Lord Mayor's Cup. Against all the odds, the two brothers, Damien (18) and Barry (14) came through a top class field of 198 players to meet in the final.

Interested spectators at the final were Don MacAulay who won the trophy 50 years ago in 1952 and captured it three times in all. The late Gerry O'Brien, former Hon. Secretary of the G.U.I. was also present. He had contested the final four times and won in 1976.

Paul and June Fennelly, the proud parents, kept a discreet distance in the large crowd following the final which saw Barry, the youngest winner ever, triumph by 3 & 2.