The 13th Old Bedfordians Golf Tour went to the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland in early June. Remarkably there was not a single drop of rain during the entire week but plenty of Guinness!
The Tour kicked off at Dingle Golf Club, with the set of Star Wars being built in the surrounding hills. Colin Beesley (90-98) and Charles Constable (72-81) won this first match, and the money was quickly spent on a traditional Irish night out in Dingle! The match play league was contested at Kileen, Dooks and Waterville, the latter of which is where Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara and other American professionals come to play and practice before The Open. After the golf at Waterville the sixteen men on the Tour enjoyed a dinner together at the famous Smugglers restaurant.
After several close matches and considerable banter, the team of Dan Mules (86-96), Chris (CJ) Johnson (66-75) and Iain Pratt (83-93) won the final at Tralee beating Brian Gillett (75-83), Lee Dinmore (86-89) and Charles Coker (67-71). Tralee was arguably the best course of the week with breath-taking views.
The OB Open was played at Ballybunion where a non-OB guest won the trophy beating Piers Constable (79-89) into 2nd place for the 4th year running – Piers is donating a pre engraved plate for runner up for next year!
After a lively final evening out only 10 of the touring 16 made it onto the tee for the final round at Mahoney’s Point. All in all, a great trip with good company!
Next year’s tour goes to South Wales. Find out more about the OB Golf Club here.