A trail that began back in April comes to an end on Thursday and Friday for the teams from Waterford, Ardglass, Thurles and Portumna when they contest the All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes finals in Muskerry, Co Cork.
Thurles, in particular, will enjoy the occasion, as it will be their first appearance at this level. In fact they had never won a mixed provincial title before this year and they are determined to make the most of their opportunity in this Ulster Bank-sponsored competition, according to their captain Jim Finn.
"We will be regarded very much as the underdogs, but that won't concern us too much," he explains. "We have a nice blend of youth and experience and we are going out to do our best." They have balanced their team, with low handicap men and middle handicap women and, so far, this has worked in their favour. Their younger players include Jim Finn's son Pat, who plays off four, and Michael Hayes, another four handicap player who was a member of their All-Ireland winning Jimmy Bruen team. The experience is provided by Liam Troy, who has represented his club on many occasions in the South and West of Ireland Championships, John Corbett and T J Semple, a grandson of Tom Semple, after whom Semple Stadium was named.
Their women players include Susan Troy, a sister in law of Liam Troy, Jacqueline Corbett, wife of John Corbett, and Philomena Maher, a sister of former EC Commissioner Ray McSharry.
In the semi-final they meet Portumna, another club inexperienced at this level. The Connacht champions' team captain Gerry Ryan reveals that they reached this stage once before "but it was a very long time ago". Their club teams have been experiencing some success lately, especially their juniors, who won the Connacht foursomes only to lose in the All-Ireland final. Their women's team are the current holders of the All-Ireland Fourball, and have reached the final again this year. So they are quietly confident that they can do well.
"We have two very good pairings and we are hopeful we can pick up at least one victory from the other three," a Ryan says confidently. He won't be naming his team until tomorrow evening, but on this occasion there may be a place for Connacht interprovincial Suzanne Kenny. She hasn't figured up to now, but there is a feeling that her experience could be vital at this stage of the competition.
Waterford are by far the most experienced of the four semi-finalists at this level. This is their third Leinster title in five years and they were All-Ireland champions in 1993.
Their captain, Denis Deasy has brought in some new faces this year, however. " Not every player is suited to mixed golf," he explains. "But I looked for players who are easy to play with and are generally compatible with mixed foursomes." He, too, will be selecting his team with low handicap men playing alongside middle handicap women.
Their opponents in the semi-final, Ulster champions Ardglass, reached this stage once before, in 1990. Their captain, Jack McGreevy, brought most of his players to the Muskerry club on Sunday to prepare them for event. So by the time Thursday arrives, they will have a good knowledge of the course.
All the captains were reluctant to predict the outcome, but most agreed that Waterford's experience will be invaluable at this stage. However, there is a sneaking suspicion that Portumna could be the dark horses.
A hole in one is always special. But it is particularly so when you play off a handicap of 36 and you only get to play golf on the odd occasion.
Pressure of work prevents physiotherapist Mary Coolen from playing more than a handful of games each year at her club, Elm Park. But she will never forget her round last Thursday. Especially the eighth hole. She hit a five wood to the 142metre par three, then watched in disbelief as the ball landed just short of the pin and rolled on into the hole.
