2024

Back to the scene of the Squires' resurrection in ST13 and a new date slot a month earlier. Rosapenna, with the new St Patrick's Links addition to the already excellent Sandy Hills and Old Tom Morris courses made for a very intriguing challenge this year.

The lads were based at the Doherty Farms Cottages in Downings this year, a new set-up. Matt made a welcome return this year for the Scots with a final number of 9 Squires making the trip. With an odd number, the Jocks brought in a new debutant rodent Sir Bobby MacWeazel.

Thursday was Sandy Hills, the renowned toughest course of the three. A meet-n-greet over lunch, a quick limber up and the lads were out in 3 x 3 balls. The weather was kind to the Squires but just as well given the many blind drives and multiple approach shots to elevated greens perched up in the dunes. A marvellous but very tough course and the scoring reflected the test. Gordie wasn't phased though and an early 3 birdie blitz helped him shoot 30pts and beat Pricey and Rossco by 3 shots. This was the big man's 3rd major win out the last 4 events and 5th in total, but his first on Irish soil! Gordie now jumps to the top of the Squires' major charts.

Plan for the first night was to take it easy as the much heralded St. Patrick's Links lay in wait for the lads on day 2. A quick reccy round Downings established that there was no take aways, no beers and also no taxi option for the Squires - no joy all in! So a detour via Carrigart was required to source some ales, vino and food. With the fire roaring the local sheep dug lying cosy on the sofa, the lads genned up on St. Pat's with Rick Shiels' hole-by-hole YouTube guide. Rick made it look a piece of cake with many 'birdie sauce' opportunities.

On to St. Pat's a short drive away - quite an underwhelming entrance and golf shack with ridiculously overpriced merch. 'Whenever ye're ready lads' gested the starter who was full of drivel and the lads made their way down the 1st. A majestic course, only open 5 years, very open and inviting, with ridiculously huge sloping greens and some tricky pins. There wasn't much birdie sauce on display sadly however. The tees selection puzzled Squire who was still asking an exasperated Stee which tees they were off on the 18th; ''Granite or Slate mate?'' But again it was Gordie who shone with a very solid 36pts, this time beating Squire by 2, with Pricey 2 shots further back. Incredibly this was to be the round which broke yet more records, Gordie's 4th major in 5, a Squires' slam and also a Squires' Tiger slam which has never been seen before.

Taxi was booked and it was time to hit the Goose and Gander in Downings for some quality pizzas and catch up on the Ryder scoring. The lads retired to the snug bar next door for some more stouts and then decided to make their way up the road to the Harbour Bar. Poor Boothy however was still ordering a round of soss in the Goose and returned to find his round buddies had scarpered! Sorry Squire! Great craic in the Harbour Bar was had however the ST24 climax lay in wait so Friday night wasn't to be too messy.

Old Tom Morris Links' was the venue for the ST24 showdown. Leaders out last with Gordie, Squire and Pricey in group 1. Stee, Boothy and Rossco in group 2 and the chopstars trio of Carlo, Kev and Matt brining up the rear. Gordie hada 7 shot lead over Squire and Pricey with much to play for as mixed weather lay in wait. Gordie's lead crumbled quickly with a poor front 9 and sat only 2 shots ahead of Pricey at the turn. Further drama ensued on the back 9 in the groups behind the leaders; Rossco with a Squires' first golden ferret on the 13th! (with his 5th swipe out the sand aha).. Stee with an injured golfer complaint prior to the same proceeded to make an immediate birdie! Carlo meanwhile was gathering points in the final trio and it was he who came through to win his first major at the 19th attempt and 8th Squires event - a big congrats!

And so there was only going to be 1 winner this year, after a very tense battle with Squire and Pricey on the back 9 of Old Tom, Gordie deservedly held out down the last hole for his first ST - by a narrower than it seemed 3 shots from both Squire and Pricey who capitulated on 18 losing spheres down the right side. 

After savouring a drop of green for the first time in ST23, Squire managed to come out on top this year to win the coveted jacket by 2 shots from Gordie, who held it on days 1 and 2!

This was the 3rd Squires' Seniors event, now with 3 old boys and it was new-comer Gordie who donned the burgundy robe, beating Pricey by 7 shots with the best 2 from 3 rounds. It was also a Seniors-majors clean sweep in Rosapenna!

Last night was the Beach Hotel for a lavish banquet to discuss the day's events and conclude the Ryder which was closely poised. With the Ryder run-through and the Scots collecting another win the traditional Ryder Cup malt-fill was delivered by Captain Gordie and the lads celebrated the 3 days golf. On to the Wee Bar next door and the Ryder stout became the new tipple from the Jug. Music was banging and the Squires were up dancing the night away. Who's idea was it to start the prize giving after arriving home at the cottages. Very messy celebrations and Squire was given the green jacket multiple times as part of the carnage then tried to make his way home even though he was in his own cottage already!

Definitely one of the best trips to date, roll on ST25!