Colm keeps it cool on the back nine to seal victory

He carded a sterling 42 points to take Colin Riddel’s Captain’s Prize at Dunmurry Golf Club’s 2016 Captain’s Day.

Even a short rain shower couldn’t dampen the spirits of 240 competitors on Colin’s big day.

It was another great day at the club, and in his speech, the winner made sure to thank the Captain for organising a great day and was delighted to win his prize.

Colm’s victory looked a long way off at the halfway stage, when he had only picked up 17 points and that was including a magnificent birdie at the sixth as he was sitting one over his handicap.

However, a welcome hamburger at the 10th revived Colm and he recorded six pars, along with a birdie at the 14th. Despite dropping shots at the 13th and 18th, Colin returned 25 points for the nine and an overall total of 42 points.

In second place was Jonathan Dickey (20) only one point behind on 41 points, while Billy Mills (16) picked up third place on 40 points. Billy could have nicked the top prize but a costly error on the 15th when he failed to score cost him dear.

Winner of the gross prize came as no surprise to many as +2 handicap golfer Darren Crowe was the clear winner with a superb round of 64, just one shot off the course record, for 40 points.

Darren started in fine form with birdies at the first, fourth and fifth holes but a dropped shot at the sixth saw him get to the turn in two under 33.

On the back nine, he started off with four pars, before recording an eagle two on the 14th. Another two pars and two birdies in the closing four holes left him finishing the back nine in just 31 blows, and a superb 64. His round consisted of a two, eight threes, seven fours and two fives. How about that?

Before handing over the prizes on Saturday, the Dunmurry Golf Club Captain thanked all who had helped to make Captain’s Day a huge success, from the Office staff Michael, Lynda and Pauline, the Professional John and his assistant Matt, Hugh and John and all the catering staff, Rita and the bar staff, Justin and the green staff and all on Council who have helped, especially Pat McKnight and his Match and Handicap Committee, and Ian Berry and his greens committee and finally Derek Woods, Senior starter

PRIZE-WINNERS

Captains Day Winner – Colm McKenna Senior (17) 42 pts; 2 Jonathan Dickey (20) 41 pts; 3 Billy Mills (16) 40 pts

Gross – Darren Crowe (-2) 40 pts

Section 1 (0-10) – Peter McRoberts (5) 40 pts

Section 2 (11-18) - Stephen Cairnduff 39 pts

Section 3 (19+) - Michael Cassidy 38 pts

Past Captain’s prize – Sam Blackley 34 pts

Council Prize – Trevor Lamont 36 pts

Visitors – Danny Riddel

OTHER WINNERS IN CAPTAIN’S WEEK

Five/Six Day – Malachy Flynn 42 pts.

Ladies – 1 Jane Fleming 35pts; 2 Julia Trinder 35 pts; 3 Helen McBride 34 pts.

Famous Grouse Foursomes winners – Colin Riddel and Ian Halliday 66.

Sir Milne Barbour Mixed Flag – Colin Riddel and Jane Fleming.

Past Captain’s Day – Lawrence Patterson 36 pts.

TEAM NEWS

It has been a disappointing last six weeks on the team front for Dunmurry GC with only the Senior sides and Holt Shield team still in action.

The Junior, Mixed, and Jimmy Bruen teams all failed to make the knockout stages of GUI competitions. The Pierce Purcell qualified only to lose out to Malone 3-2 at the first hurdle.

Des Marley’s Ulster Cup team’s brave attempt to overturn a 5.5 - 1.5 defeat at Cushendall failed with the last match losing on the 18th green. That put the side out of the competition despite winning 5-2 at Dunmurry.

The Senior Cup team qualified for the Senior Cup match-play and will take on Knock at Lisburn later this month. They low handicappers also play the same side in the second leg of the Belfast and District Cup, aiming to overcome a 4-3 defeat at Knock last Thursday.

There were victories for Darren Crowe, Stephen Crowe and Chris Black, who recorded a hole in one at the fourth on his way to a last green victory.

However, the Seniors suffered a surprise defeat in the Barton Shield, losing to Rockmount by two holes at Knock Golf Club on Sunday.