Second time a charm as Collins wins Leinster Youths
Gary Collins, playing his approach to the 18th, won the Sigma Wireless Sponsored Leinster Youths Championship at The European Club. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieRosslare’s Gary Collins made up for the disappointment of finishing a shot behind the winner last year when he stormed to a three-stroke victory in a 54-hole Leinster Youths Amateur Open at The European Club.
Second to Colin Fairweather at Woodbrook in 2012, the Wexford man went into the third and final round four strokes adrift of Grange’s Robbie Pierse after officials opted to cut the event short due to the inclement weather - snowstorms, high winds and biting cold.
Gary Collins with the trophy. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieBut after opening with a pair of 75s, Pierse crashed to a closing 88 at the demanding Co Wicklow links to finish fifth as Collins fired a 78 to win by three shots from Mallow’s James Sugrue (80) on 19 over 232.
Massereene’s Tiarnan McLarnon was third, four shots behind the winner on 236 after a final round 78 as Pierse finished on 238 with Athenry’s David Byrne (80).
Results of Leinster Youths Amateur Open Championship, at European Golf Club, 25-27 March 2013
Sponsored by Sigma Wireless
Final (Par 71/213)
232 G Collins (Rosslare) 76 78 78
235 J Sugrue (Mallow) 75 80 80
236 T McLarnon (Massereene) 80 78 78
238 D Byrne (Athenry) 80 78 80, R Pierse (Grange) 75 75 88
239 H Coyne (Carton House) 78 78 83
240 A Myles (Newlands) 82 79 79, J Whelan (Newlands) 77 80 83
Gary Collins wrapped up against the elements for the third and final round. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie241 G Mac Namara (Woodbrook) 82 83 76
242 E Farrell (Ardee) 82 80 80
243 A Lowry (Esker Hills) 82 83 78, N Worth (The Island) 81 83 79, M McClean (Balmoral) 80 82 81
244 C Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) 80 87 77
245 J Conroy (Bray) 87 79 79, R McKinstry (Cairndhu) 81 87 77, S Carter (Stackstown/NUIM) 81 81 83, R Long (Cairndhu) 80 82 83
246 J Patmore (Lisburn) 85 81 80
247 M Nolan (Delgany) 88 80 79, S Guilfoyle (Arklow) 84 80 83, C Kennedy (Forrest Little) 83 85 79, J Breen (Kirkistown Castle) 81 84 82, S Kinch (Hermitage/NUIM) 81 82 84, J Yates (Naas) 76 80 91
248 J Hood (Galgorm Castle) 80 87 81
249 H Scott (Castle) 83 85 81, R O’Dwyer (Callan) 82 86 81, D Shaw (Belvoir Park) 81 85 83, J McVicker (Knock) 79 85 85
250 T Lindsay (Fortwilliam) 82 85 83, N McKinstry (Cairndhu) 81 86 83
251 D Brennan (Shannon) 81 80 90, C Rafferty (Greenore) 77 89 85
254 K Lynch (Skibbereen) 78 89 87
255 D Reddan (Nenagh) 87 82 86, R Brazill (Rathsallagh) 81 82 92
256 C Melvin (Corrstown) 87 79 90
257 J Neiland (Blainroe) 86 83 88
261 M Kiernan (Delgany) 85 84 92
NR P Coughlan (Moate) 77 85 NR