Late birdies give Alexander and Wilson Millennium Jug victory

They in turn were one shot ahead of the Kevin Duffin/Sean McCambridge, Peter Houston/Paul Houston and Andy Workman/Hugh McKeague pairings with Michael Alexander/William Wilson and David Bamford/George McAuley at one shot intervals respectively further behind.

Through 12, Davidson/Kennedy had taken a one shot lead over Coleman/Allen with Alexander/Wilson another shot behind.

In close attendance another shot away came the pairings of Duffin/McCambridge, Houston/Houston and Workman/McKeague.

Bamford/McAuley were unable to make any inroads at this stage and were another shot away.

Through Beechers the Davidson/Kennedy partnership were still in front by one shot from an ever improving Alexander/Wilson who were looking ominously dangerous making their presence felt. Bamford/McAuley were also improving and lay another two shots behind.

Coleman/Allen were slipping back and were joined by Workman/McKeague a further shot behind. Duffin/McCambridge and Houston/Houston were at one shot intervals respectively further behind.

Davidson/Kennedy finished with three pars but were unable to hold off the late challenge from Alexander/Wilson who finished with a par and two birdies to snatch victory by one shot.

Bamford/McAuley (bogey, par, birdie) and Duffin/McCambridge (birdie, two pars) finished level two points adrift and with a better back nine Bamford/McAuley claimed third place with Duffin/McCambridge fourth.

Houston/Houston came flying home with a great birdie, par, birdie finish but left it too late and just failed by one shot to make the placings. Workman/McKeague (two pars, bogey) and Coleman/Allen (double bogey, bogey, birdie) finished level another shot behind.

Twos were recorded by: J Davidson, B Frayne (x2), H McKeague, G Crabbe, S Neeson, P Christie, M Casson (x2), S Finlay, M McIlroy, R Steele, A Knox, D Beckington, G Beckington, P Daly and SLaverty.

LADIES

AUGUST started with Galgorm's ladies' section with a stableford competition sponsored by Simpsons Pharmacy. Overall winner was Kerry Dunlop with 37pts, June Irvine won section A with 37 pts and Angela Graham was the section B winner with 35 pts.

A ladies' open team of three stableford competition was held on 12 August, the weather remaining dry for a change, meant this event was well supported with over 80 ladies taking part, the overall winners were a team of Galgorm ladies, Nan Caldwell,Heather Wilkinson and Vi Stack with 78 points.

A stroke competiton sponsored by Galgorm estates was held on 19th August, the overall winner was Heather Wilkinson with a nett 71, section A was won by Denise McCosh with a 73 and Patricia McIrath won section B with a nett 73.

The final stableford competition in August was the Gentlemans cup, the overall winner was Jenny McCooke with 41 pts and Jenny Carroll was runner up with 38pts.

Galgorm golf club were delighted to host the ILGU Northern district team finals held over two days, the course was in immaculate condition and the weather was kind.

NORTH OF IRELAND STROKEPLAY

A strong field gathered for the North of Ireland Strokeplay event at Galgorm Castle Golf Club on Sunday 22nd August.

The Event which is in its second year and is part of the Top Golfer series where scratch cups for single handicap golfers are played throughout Ireland before the season-ending tour championship in October.

Mourne Golf Club player Reeve Whitson (+2) emerged victorious with an excellent score of 143 (1 under for 36 holes) one shot ahead of Ian Kettyle, Rathmore (+1) on 144 and Daniel Beattie, Castlerock (+1) on 144 and 4th place went to Irish International Simon Ward, Co Louth (+2) on 145.

Reeve will now go on to represent the North in the Topgolfer Tour Championship to be held at Carton House in October.