Brendan wins after a countback

The adverse wet weather just after Christmas had led to the closure of the course for a fortnight and this seemed an eternity to all those ‘chomping at the bit’ to get their swing into action again.

The sweep was held over a shortened course of 14 holes with the first, fourteenth, fifteenth and eighteenth closed until further notice.

With only six holes open on the back nine it was decided by club council that play will now commence at the tenth through to seventeenth and then play from the second through to a finish at the ninth, again until further notice.

Playing conditions warranted ‘teeing up through the green’ and this format was widely welcomed and reflected in the scores returned.

Brendan Gorman (4) was awarded first place after a countback when he posted a score of 34 points to beat Sean McStay who returned a similar score.

On the outward trek Brendan parred all six holes for a score of 13 points. His scoring was even more remarkable on the inward stretch when he covered the eight holes in three under par for a total of 21 points.

This bogey free round was a nice way to claim the honours and give him the perfect start for the New Year.

Sean McStay (7) also returned 34 points to claim second place. Sean’s very commendable one under par total for the 14 holes included three birdies, nine pars and two bogeys. He scored 15 points on the outward journey and 19 points coming home

Finbar Headley (14), also after a countback, was awarded third place with 33 points. Three pars on the outward stretch helped him accumulate 12 points and coming home a further two birdies and three pars helped generate another 21 points.

Micky McDonald (16) took fourth spot with 33 points. Two pars and a birdie helped bring his score to15 points going out and five pars coming home helped gain another 18 points.

Brian McShane (18) with 33 points took fifth place. Brian had a sprinkling of five pars over his round and a delightful birdie at the awkward seventeenth hole.

Kevin Munster (2) won the gross prize with 29 gross points. Kevin again was in his usual consistent form and his one under par for the fourteen holes included three birdies, nine pars and two bogeys.

Other notable scores worthy of mention, were: James Scullion (16) 32pts; Frank Gallagher (17) 32pts; Prakash Vyas (11) 32pts; Derek Boyd (15) 32pts; John Carson (16) 32pts; John Marley (12) 32pts.

There were just five twos recorded in this competition.

This Saturday’s competition will be another sweep.