Colin McKinney wins St Paddy's day stableford

The course was drier than usual for this time of the year after the prolonged dry spell. It was not as green as usual but it was wonderful to see the ball bouncing along the fairways.

There was a very good entry for the 18 holes stableford competition. The fact that it was a qualifier for handicap purposes was an added attraction.

Eleven players finished with 36 points, the equivalent of a nett 69. Dermot Dawson topped this group and Conor Campbell, Harold McClements, Bertie Shaw, Stuart Hunter, David McComb, Bill O’Loughlin, Connor Doran, Timothy Hodgett, John Canning and Jonathan Kerr followed him.

Connor Doran has the honour of winning the first best gross prize of the season. Connor shot a two under par gross 67 and he beat Rory Leonard by one shot and Luke Woods by three.

Rory Leonard was in the group of six, all with 37 points. The others were Colin Kennedy, Timothy Beattie, Eugene Weir, Cathal O’Neill and Sean M Quinn.

The calculated standard scratch score was nett 67 or 38 stableford points. Philip Mallon, Fergie Cosgrove, Declan Dooher, Kerry McCloskey, John McCartan, Joe Thompson, Joe Glass, Peter Hillen and Matthew Mallon equalled this.

Young Callum McCandless was alone on the 39 points mark, good enough for 12th place.

A group of five talented golfers finished with 40 points. They just missed out on a prize but they should be well pleased with their early season form. The famous five are Roy Sipson, Matthew Connolly, Christopher Quinn, Harry Shannon and Dr. Cathal McNiff.

Luke Woods shot a gross 70 to take sixth place. He will be delighted to get his handicap down to five in the first competition of the year. This could be a big season for this gifted young player.

Speaking of gifted players, we have another one here at the other end of the age spectrum. Cecil Johnston shot 41 points and won the seniors prize. He went round in three over par 72. What a player!

Now for the top four on St. Patrick’s Day. John G.Lennon (11) was fourth with 42 points. He can relax and enjoy his golf now, seeing as he has recently retired. He will be back to a single figure handicap soon. That’s his target.

Clifford Thompson (14) was third with 42 points. He had victory in his sights but came unstuck at the ravine hole (14th). A double bogey there cost him dearly. But it was still a brilliant round.

I had the privilege of playing with the club captain, Sydney Pepper, in the St. Patrick’s Day tournament. For a while, I thought this week’s headline would be “Captain wins first competition.” He came so very close. Sydney (13) scored 43 points and how he rued those three double bogeys in the first five holes.

But all credit must go to the winner, Colin McKinney (15), who took the top spot with 44 points. Colin was out at the break of dawn and he played superbly for 14 holes. At that stage he was only three over par. The final four holes caught him out somewhat as he dropped four shots. But, fortunately enough, his score was still good enough to win.

Congratulations to Colin. To win the first competition of the year is something to be proud of.