Walter wins the lottery, but only on the golf course

While the Winter League's opening week at Lurgan had been abandoned due to underfoot conditions, a 9 hole sweep was held on Saturday.
Walter Simpsons good form over the winter continued with 23 points to claim first prize.Walter Simpsons good form over the winter continued with 23 points to claim first prize.
Walter Simpsons good form over the winter continued with 23 points to claim first prize.

It attracted 79 competitors to participate in what was a bit of a lottery, played as it was on temporary greens largely covered with the frozen remnants of the week’s snow.

Such conditions require certain attributes not the least of which is many years of experience and it was no surprise that each of the prize winners had that in abundance.

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That well known winter specialist Walter Simpson returned 24 points, with 11 shots allowance, to take the top prize of the day.

Having played his round on Wednesday, Walter had the added benefit of lifting that day’s sweep as well, so with a double victory under his belt by the middle of January, he will no doubt be looking forward to the rest of the year with eager anticipation.

Two other players had 24 points and each will no doubt have already explained to anyone prepared to listen how they could so easily won if only for cruel twists of fate.

Barry Mulholland, with a handicap allowance of 9, was to take the runners-up spot while Colin Darling, 11, came third. Colin will have more reason than most to reflect on what might have been when his failure to score at the much shortened par 5 last hole cost him dearly.

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Fourth place went to Denis McInerney, 7, with 23 points. This is the third time in recent weeks that he has finished among the also-rans and he will no doubt be hoping that 2016 will not turn out to be the ‘Year of the Bridesmaid’.

The last nett prize went to Alex Denver, 5, whose 23 points were the result of a 2 under par round thanks to birdies at 2 and 8.

Timmy Cummins took full advantage of the shortened par 5 holes and an eagle at 4 and birdie at 9 helped him to a 2 under round to lift the gross prize with 20 gross points.

A striking feature of recent competitions has been the shortage of 2’s despite the temporary greens having holes like buckets.

There were just five 2’s on Saturday all of which came at the 8th hole, which seems surprising as that temporary green has been likened by some to the ‘North Face of the Eiger’.