European Tour star enjoys Galgorm Castle visit

The day started with Gareth doing a golf clinic were he hit a lot of very impressive shots to show off the sort of level a pro needs to be at to play on tour.

After this he answered questions from spectators extremely well with demonstrations to back it up.

Before the clients headed out to play they were able to get a few tips from Gareth on the range while they hit balls to warm up. He walked up and down the line to point out any faults he noticed in their golf swings.

Whilst they were out playing Gareth met up with each group and played a few holes to give them some more advice. Everyone enjoyed the day and the golf course as did Gareth, in particular how good the greens were and he thought they were of similar standard to what he was used to on the European Tour.

Gary Henry, General Manager at Galgorm Castle, said: "The day was a fantastic experience for the amateur golfer to watch Gareth show of his skills on our range then for him to give each player one to one tuition, it was a enjoyable and a great learning experience.

“Gareth then spent time with each group playing a few holes and it was great for our team here at Galgorm Castle to receive such great feedback from a player of his standing in the world of golf.

“A lot of hard work and investment has gone into Galgorm since it opened and it's great for us to get such positive feedback."

PROFESSIONAL’S DAY

Meanwhile, weather conditions were very wet with continuous rain, heavy at times, throughout the day for Professional’s Day held at Galgorm Castle Golf Club.

At the halfway mark Gary Kenna (8) held a slender one point advantage from Stephen McAuley (6) and Robert McCormick (20) with David Halliday (9) and John McCarry (10) another two points behind. They were followed by Hugh Moore (10), Neil Smith (9) and Steven Penney (3) a further point down.

Through 12, Kenna was joined by McCormick two points ahead of McAuley and McCarry. Moore and Halliday were another point behind with Smith and Penney trailing by another point.

With two to play Kenna was still in the lead by one point from McCormick (bad fall at Beechers) and McAuley. Another point down came Moore (gradually closing in on the leaders), Halliday, McCarry and Penney moving ominously closer. Smith was another point behind.

Smith put himself in the frame with a bogey, birdie finish to join Kenna who finished double bogey, bogey but S.McAuley with a bogey, par finish pipped both golfers for victory. Smith with a better back nine took second place with Kenna third. Five golfers finished together in a scramble for the two remaining places. McCormick threw away his chance for outright victory when he failed to score at 17 and bogeyed 18. Joining him were McCarry (double bogey, par), Penney (bogey, par), Halliday (two bogeys) and H Moore (double bogey, par). Penney won the Gross prize.

Moore with a better back nine was placed fourth with Halliday (better back six) fifth.

There were also prizes for beating the professional at the 5th (which was very popular), nearest the pin at the 14th, won by Tony Carroll, and longest drive on 18, which went to Stephen McAuley.

Twos were recorded by: H Graham, S McAuley, R McCormick, G Watt, D Watterson, K Barkley, D Caves G Henry, R Beckington and G Wilson.

HOLE-IN-ONE

Congratulations to Tony Carroll who holed his tee shot at the par three seventh.