Castleisland Golf Club member, Julianne Browne’s recent win in one of Kerry’s most competitive events is remarkable in that she took up the game only two years ago.
However, there’s more to it than meets the cursory, glancing eye. Julianne has been playing pitch and putt since she was born – almost.
There is a great similarity about her rise to the heights in both games.
Munster Pitch and Putt Title
Back in 1995 Julianne and her late dad, Danny Broderick won the Munster Pitch and Putt Mixed Foursomes Championship.
She had taken up the game only the year before that remarkable win.
Wins of minor and major significance came their way in the intervening years until in July 2004 when Julianne also won the Munster Pitch and Putt Match Play title in Cork.
On the Saturday of the October bank holiday weekend, just gone, Julianne claimed her biggest golfing prize to date when she won The Kerryman Captains’ Challenge at Castlegregory Golf Club.
The Past Two Years
Here again, Julianne has been playing golf for only the past two years and joined the Castleisland club for something to do when the pitch and putt season closed.
“I’m delighted with the win of course but I only joined up for something to do when the pitch and put season closed and I thought I’d give it a go,” said Julianne.
“I’m glad I did and I love it. The ladies club here is exceptional and they all make new members so welcome and the social side of it is lovely.
“I’m not a frightfully long hitter and I find striking off the fairway strange as I wasn’t used to it. I keep the pitch and putt strokes very much in my golf game and of course it stands to me when I get close to the greens,” said Julianne.
An All Kerry Competition
The Kerryman Captains’ Challenge is an all Kerry competition where the ladies and men’s captain’s prize winners from each of the clubs play against each other for the honour and the fine, cut-glass trophies.
Sitting alongside it on Julianne Browne’s shelves are this year’s Castleisland Golf Club President’s Prize and several tournament trophies and wins in her short, golfing career to date.
Julianne is still very much involved with Castleisland Pitch and Putt Club and her heart is there with memories, bitter and sweet.
Club Delighted
But it’s the green hugging and finishing out skills she learned there that are now taking her onto pastures new and rewarding.
On Sunday, Julianne was congratulated by her home club members and captains, Catherine Walsh and Jonathan Kelliher.
Castleisland Golf Club Secretary, Mairead Guirey said the the whole club is delighted with Julianne’s win.
“She has given us all a great boost. It’s a great honour for the club to have one of our members win such a prestigious trophy,” said Ms. Guirey.
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