Pictured at the presentation of the Audi Ireland quattro Cup is Audi brand ambassador Kathryn Thomas with (L-R) Christian Gussen, managing director, Audi Ireland; Clement Hehir and Tom Barrett (1st Place representing Audi Cork).

Clement Hehir and Tom Barrett, representing Audi Cork, saw off the challenge of 41 teams to claim victory at this year’s Audi quattro Cup final held in Mount Juliet Golf Club, on Wednesday, 28^th August.

Hehir and Barrett, both from Kilmallock, County Limerick and playing out of Charleville Golf Club, won the 23^rd hosting of the prestigious Audi quattro Cup golf competition by a single point with a score of 44 points. The duo narrowly defeated the Audi Naas pairing of Arthur Ryan and John Kelly (2^nd Place) who finished the competition with a total of 43 points, and John Conniffe and John Kelly (3^rd place), representing Audi Athlone, who carded 42 points.

Hehir, with a handicap of 20, and Barrett, playing off 16, will now go forward to represent Ireland in the world final of the Audi quattro Cup which will be played at Trump National Golf Course, Los Angeles in early October.

2013 saw nearly 700 players, half of whom were Audi drivers, compete in seven regional heats between May and July. These heats were played out on some of Ireland’s most prestigious golf courses including The K Club, Fota Island, Rosses Point, concluding with the National final teeing-up in the spectacular Mount Juliet Golf Club, Kilkenny.

Christian Gussen, managing director of Audi Ireland commented: “This country has such a strong tradition in golf at amateur and professional level and the competition was fierce this year. We are delighted to reward our loyal customers by affording them the opportunity to play some of the most prestigious golf courses throughout Ireland in the Audi quattro Cup and to be in with a chance to represent Ireland in the United States later this year.

“Almost 85,000 golfers will play in 800 tournaments all over the globe in the 2013 Audi quattro Cup. This superb competition has come a long way since German Audi dealers organised an event for 6,000 golfers playing 51 tournaments back in 1991.”

Dun Laoghaire Golf Club

The course is divided into three nines: upper, middle and lower.  We played the upper and lower.

Dun Laoghaire Golf Club clubhouse seen from the 18th fairway

Green fees would have been €50 each.

Wicklow Golf Club with clubhouse in the background

Accuracy is rewarded on this course.  In my case the opposite applied.  Between water, gorse and scrub there are lots of opportunities to lose golf balls.  At the end of the round my golf bag was quite a bit lighter!

There’s a lovely variety of holes with wonderful views over the sea and the Wicklow Mountains.  The course is quite hilly (especially the back 9).  By lunchtime I had certainly worked up an appetite.

We had a very pleasant lunch in the clubhouse over looking the Irish Sea.

17th Hole at Wicklow Golf Club - "The Glen"

I’m looking forward to playing here again.

So far so good.  I’ll post again when I’ve done a few more lessons.

Stepaside Golf Centre - Driving range and par 3 golf

Went up to Stepaside Driving Range this afternoon – first time there.  Trying to get back into golf after a lengthy absence.  I went for the bigger basket – 100 balls for €8.50.  The smaller one was €6.

The rubber tee is fine for driving but I found using an iron off the mat a bit off putting.  It’s not the same as hitting a ball off the fairway.  I’d either top the ball or hit the mat first – ouch.

Looking forward to my next visit.

Stepaside Golf Centre