Another busy week at Galgorm Castle

A trio of golfers were vying for the lead at the halfway mark. David A McAleese (6), James McKendry (15) and Garry Robinson (16) led John Davis (13) by one point.

After 15, McAleese was still ahead although his lead had been cut to two points by Robinson (3 pars) and Davis. McKendry was another point back.

Robinson finished bogey, bogey, par with McKendry (3 pars) and Davis (3 pars) all level. McAleese came home birdie, bogey, birdie to win by two points from Davis (better back nine) in the runner-up position.

In Division 1 at the turn Andy Bradford (7) was ahead of David Kernohan (-3) and Paddy Coleman (9) by one point. Trevor Alexander (9) and Mark Dunlop (7) were another two points down followed by Billy McDowell (5) a further point away.

With three to play there was still little between the players. McDowell (par, birdie, par) forged into the lead by one point from Dunlop, Bradford (3 pars) and Coleman, with Kernohan and Alexander a further point behind.

In a tense and exciting finish Kernohan (par, par, birdie), Alexander (par, bogey, par) and Coleman (double bogey, par, par) finished together but unfortunately one point behind the placed players. Kernohan had the consolation of taking the Gross.

Bradford (par, par, bogey), McDowell (par, bogey, par) and Dunlop (par, bogey, par) also finished level and with a better back nine McDowell took first place with Dunlop (better back nine) in second and Bradford (par, par, bogey) third.

In Division 2 at halfway Neil Fitzsimmons (16) held a slender one point lead from James McKendry (15) and Garry Robinson (16) with Gary Crabbe (14) another point behind.

With two to play the leadership had changed with McKendry and Robinson taking a one point lead from Fitzsimmons who ‘dinged’ 15 and Crabbe close up another point away. Fitzsimmons finished with two bogeys and took the Seniors prize.

McKendry and Robinson had an exciting last two holes but a two par finish by McKendry gave him a one point victory from Robinson who finished bogey, par. Crabbe (bogey, par) finished in third place.

In Division 3 Stephen O’Loughlin (22) was two points ahead of Roy McDowell (21) and William Lennox (19) with Noel McAlynn (22) three points down. O’Loughlin still held a one point advantage from

McDowell through 14 where McAlynn had a ‘ding’ to fall another two points behind. Lennox was another three points away as a result of ‘dings’ on 12 and 14).

After 17 McDowell had moved into a one point lead from O’Loughlin with a fast improving Lennox joining McAlynn another three points down. McDowell’s slip at the last with a double bogey allowed O’Loughlin (par) to take advantage and come home for victory by one point. McAlynn (par) and Lennox (par) finished level

and with a better back nine McAlynn finished third.

ULSTER FOURBALL

Galgorm Castle travelled to Helen’s Bay for the second leg needing only a half point for overall victory after their 5-0 win at home.

Victory came after Glen Millar and Chris Warwick won comfortably by 7 and 6. They went two up after the fourth and had a commanding 5 hole advantage at half way.

However they were not faring as well in the other matches when they were called in at halfway. Jack Douglas and Robin Deane were 3 down, Alan Knox and Jonathan McCart were 1 up, Ivan McCappin and George

Simpson were 4 down and Raymond McDyer and Garth Wilson were 2 down. However the team did a good job over the two legs. The final score was Galgorm Castle 8, Helen’s Bay 2.

Features of the match were Chris Warwick’s birdie at the first hole which he birdied next time round and a two at the par three 4th. Congratulations to the team and their manager Bill Craig.

FRED DALY

Galgorm Castle Juniors, having lost the away leg to Rockmount by 5.5-1.5, the home leg was always going to be extremely difficult as a victory by 6–1 or better was required.

In the first leg Michael Reid was one up coming to the last. However his shot to the green spun back off and his opponent holed a difficult putt to half the match.

Patrick Bamber won the only match with a

comfortable 3 and 1 victory. Jordan Hood, Chris Dalrymple, David Stirling, Robbie Sutherland and Scott Johnston all lost by 3 holes.

In the home leg Jamie Sutherland who was unavailable for the first leg recorded an excellent 8 and 6 win and was two under for the holes played. Michael Reid had a well earned 4 and 2 win against 4 handicap opponent.

These early victories were halted when Jordan Hood lost by one hole when his opponent sank a tricky three foot putt. Patrick Bamber lost 3 and 1, Robbie Sutherland lost 2 and 1 and Scott Johnston lost 4 and 2.

The tie now being over David Stirling in the last match was determined to finish his match and was one up with one to play. He won the last hole with a par to record a win.

After a 9.5-4.5 overall defeat, the team hope to do much better in the Plate Competition.

JUNIOR GIRLS

Deborah McCooke played her best golf to date to win the All Ireland Antrim Girls Golf Open at Allen Park.

Deborah amassed 48 stableford points to take the title - a remarkable achievement as she has only recently become a member of Galgorm Golf Club.

Deborah is currently studying for her GCSEs but there is no doubt that she will place well in many other Golf Opens this summer.

Not to be overshadowed by her older sister, Jenny McCooke placed a commendable fifth out of a field of 68 girls in the nine hole competition which took place on the same day. Jenny had the same points as the third and fourth placed girls but was beaten by a better back six.

Deborah and Jenny regularly practise at Galgorm with their father George who is also a keen Golfer but soon he will be taking tips from his young daughters if they continue to progress so well.