Castle progress to knockout stages

BALLYCASTLE have progressed to the knockout stages of the Irish Junior Cup following the GUI Qualification Day held at the club on Sunday 30 May.

There is always a certain level of expectation attached to the host clubs performance in these events and the Ballycastle team coped admirably under the circumstances to post a four card total of 306.

Seasoned campaigner Hugh Sayers was the pick of the home players with an excellent gross 74, a score only bettered once all day, by the young Portstewart golfer Chris Barber, who returned a fantastic score of one under par 70.

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Ballycastle’s total of 306 saw them squeeze through in the fourth and final qualifying position with Portstewart leading the way on 300, followed by Gracehill on 305 and Ballymena on 306.

Ballycastle now take on Portstewart in the match-play stages to be played at Gracehill Golf Club on or before 21st June.

Well done to team captain Colm Hendrie and the team of Hugh Sayers, Mel Carleton, James McKay, Colm Egan and Stephen McAfee.

The Margy Cup was held at the club on Saturday 29 May and Shaun McCook can lay claim to the trophy in 2010 after winning with an astounding score of nett 62.

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Playing off eighteen, Shaun recovered from double-bogeys at the first and second to complete the remaining holes in only five over par and secure victory by a single shot from Liam McGonigle.

Birdies at the tenth and twelfth helped Liam, playing off sixteen, record a nett 63 and his second place finish has also strengthened his position at the top of Golfer of the Year standings as he now holds a twenty-five point lead after five of the sixteen scheduled events.

Four handicapper Neil McMaster finished in style with an eagle three at the 18th to complete a round of 70 to take third place with a nett score of 66.

Fourth spot went to Martin Morgan, also on nett 66 and fifth went to Billy Rooney jnr. with a nett 67. The day’s gross prizes were awarded to Brendan McCollam for his round of 72 and Rory McCormick for his score of 73.

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The June monthly medal will be held at the club next Saturday 5th June with an open stableford competition planned for the following day.

A reminder to members that the Tullamore Dew Causeway Coast tournament will take place at the club from Monday 7th June to Friday 11th June.

The course will be closed each day until early evening and there are still opportunities for anyone wishing to help in the running of this important competition. Please speak to the manager or check the club notice-boards for more information.