Emil secures May Medal success at Galgorm Castle

The 13-handicapper led at the halfway mark and was never headed from there on, coming home for overall victory by two shots from the rest of the field.

Wylie was leading William Lennox (18) by one shot at the turn with Keith Dinsmore another shot behind. Three further shots behind came Stephen Bashford (8) and Malachy Kyne (17).

With two holes to play the field had closed up on the leader. Wylie slipped up at 15 and 16 with double bogeys and now led Kyne by only one shot. Lennox was another shot adrift with Dinsmore and Bashford a further shot away. With only three shots between them, an exciting finish was in prospect.

Wylie soon hit that idea on the head when he finished par, bogey for a two shot overall victory. This left the other four golfers vying for the runner up position and they at least gave a glimmer of excitement as they all finished level – Lennox (two bogeys), Kyne (par, triple bogey), Dinsmore (par, bogey) and Bashford with a late run of two pars finished in the runner-up position.

In Division 1 at the turn, Mark Hamilton (12) and Peter Houston (11) were one shot ahead of Mal Bellew (8) who in turn was another shot ahead of Gordon McIlroy (12) with Peter Kearney (10) and Steven Penney another shot away.

After 17, Kearney who continued his good run with a further three pars joined Houston in the lead by one shot from a trio of players – Hamilton, McIlroy and Bellew. Penney was a further two shots away.

With all to play for up the last Houston (bogey), Hamilton (par) and Kearney (bogey) finished level but with a better back nine Kearney took first place with Hamilton (better back nine) second and Houston third. Penney (birdie), McIlroy (bogey) and Bellew (bogey) also finished together but one shot out of the placings.

At the turn in Division 2 Joseph Barr (17) was leading by one shot from Keith Dinsmore (16) and John Carruthers (14) with David Millar (15) two shots further behind. Another shot away came a trio of golfers – Malachy Kyne (17), Alec Wallace (14) and David McIlroy (15).

With two to play Kyne was leading by two shots from Dinsmore, Millar and an improving Barr. Carruthers was another shot behind followed by Wallace and McIlroy. Kyne (par, triple bogey)

and Dinsmore (par, bogey) finished together and with a better back nine Kyne held on for first place.

Barr (bogey, double bogey) finished in third place two shots behind. Wallace came with a late run of bogey, par to finish a further shot behind along with McIlroy (two bogeys), Millar (triple bogey, bogey) and Carruthers (bogey, double bogey).

In Division 3 at halfway William Lennox (18) had a four shot advantage over John McGeough (18) and George McDowell (18).

With two to play Lennox who ran into bogey trouble found his lead had been severely reduced to two shots by McGeough (pars on 14 and 16) and McDowell (pars on 14 and 15). McGeough finished bogey, par but Lennox with another two bogeys just held on for first position by one shot. McDowell (double bogey, bogey) finished in third position another two shots behind.

Gross prize went to Liam Reilly jnr (0) 72, while Cecil McAleese (24) 70 claimed the Seniors prize.

BELFAST & DISTRICT CUP

Galgorm Castle came up against formidable opponents Cliftonville in this First Round two legged tie.

After travelling to Belfast for the first leg Galgorm Castle came away with an excellent 4.5-2.5 lead.

Leading by two holes at halfway Dave Kernohan went on to give Galgorm the lead when he won 4 & 3. After a close match, Liam Reilly jnr came out on top 1 up.

The home team hit as Johnny Mcneill lost 4&3 but Steven Penney put Galgorm Castle further ahead in the match when he won 3 & 2.

Paul Houston was 1 up after nine and after the lead changing several times, his match finally ended all square. Paul Christie after a bright start went on to win 3 & 2 but Phil Hanlon lost 3 up.

In the second leg at Galgorm Castle, Kernohan showed that the home side were determined to keep their two match advantage intact when he had a rather hollow 5 & 4 victory.

Liam Reilly jnr lost 4 & 3 to keep Cliftonville’s hopes alive, however these hopes were soon dashed as Johnny McNeill and Steven Penney won their matches convincingly 5 & 4 and 5 & 3

respectively.

Paul Houston lost 3 & 2, Paul Christie suffered a 5 & 4 defeat and in the last match Phil Hanlon won 3 up to give Galgorm Castle an 8-6 overall win and set up a second round meeting with Kirkistown for gary Henry's men.

OPEN STABLEFORD

Overall Winner – A Patterson (10) (Shandon Park) 40 pts; 2. Henry Cubitt (12) 39 pts; 3. Gerard Lynn (18) 37 pts (bb9); 4. Ricki Simpson (8) 37 pts. Gross – David Kernohan (-3) 36 pts gross. Ladies – R.McConnell (23) (Dunfanaghy) 34 pts.

Twos were recorded by – C McAnally (x2), P Street, M Casson, M Alexander, Ciara Murray, D Murray, J O’Doherty (Balmoral) and S Carey (Cushendall).