Mount Wolseley was a massive success
The fabulous four-star Mount Wolseley Spa & Golf Resort was the venue for the 2023 ISPS Handa Irish Blind Open. There was a field of 30 golfers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Switzerland, Holland, Canada and USA. The event took place from the 10th to the 14th of September. On Monday 11th was a practice followed by two rounds of either stroke play or stableford on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th of September. Seven members from Irish Blind Golf participated in the Irish Blind Open which included Captain Paddy Morgan. The Irish Blind Open was highlighted by the biggest ever women participation in an International Blind Golf Event as six women played in the nett competition.
In the ISPS Handa Irish Blind Open men played off the yellow tees and women off the red tees. Mount Wolseley is a tough course especially off the tee due to plenty of trees and having to navigate a fence on the first hole. Your approach shots have to be very accurate at Mount Wolseley as all the greens are surrounded by big bunkers. There is also a bit of water on the course most noticeable when playing your approach shot to the 18th green. The course was wet for the two days of competition due to heavy rain on the practice round which made it more difficult especially hitting out of the rough.
All the staff in both the hotel and golf pro shop were very helpful towards the event especially the Director of Golf Terry Martin. Terry was very supportive towards running the Irish Blind Open at Mount Wolseley which included doing an excellent job as starter on the first tee. All the committee at Irish Blind Golf done a great job in organising the Irish Blind Open and a special mention to Paddy Morgan, Secretary Oliver O’ Connor and Handicap Secretary Pat Morgan for all their hard work.
Paddy had the fantastic honour of hitting the first shot of 2023 Irish Blind Open. The first day was tough for Paddy as he shot 115 gross and 88 nett. Oliver had a good first day as he shot a 90 gross and 72 nett. Willem Roode shot 106 gross and 84 nett. Chairman Ed Maguire shot 119 gross and 84 nett. Treasure Adrian Downey shot 23 points on day one in the stableford competition.
Day two was better as Paddy shot 111 gross and 84 nett. Oliver had a tough second day with 109 gross and 91 nett. Both Ed and Wally shot the same score on day two. Four Irish finished in the top eight of the nett competition. With Stuart Hutchinson winning the ISPS Handa Irish Blind Open with a 144 nett.
B3 was a one two for IBG as Wally came second and Oliver won the B3 category. Adrian had a great second round of 29 points to come second in the stableford competition.
It was a great event and would not be possible to play the game without the assistance of a guide. A huge thank to ISPS Handa as it wouldn’t be possible to organise an International Blind Golf Event without their financial support.