GOLF: Brian McClure wins at last in Spain

As predicted after Day 3 of the 39th Michael Doherty Spanish Golf Tournament, the last 4-ball battled it out over the last 18 holes on the very challenging Santa Ponsa course before the winner emerged.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2016, 15:52 BST
Updated 17th May 2016, 16:55 BST
Eugene Dunbar the 2015 winner of the Travellers Trophy (4th from left) presents the Salver to the 2016 champion Brian McClure from Ballynahinch Golf Club. Also from left are Brendan Coyle, North West who finished in third place, Maurice Quigg, President of City of Derry, Mark O'Doherty, Greencastle who was runner-up and Neil Duncan, City of Derry who finished in 4th place.Eugene Dunbar the 2015 winner of the Travellers Trophy (4th from left) presents the Salver to the 2016 champion Brian McClure from Ballynahinch Golf Club. Also from left are Brendan Coyle, North West who finished in third place, Maurice Quigg, President of City of Derry, Mark O'Doherty, Greencastle who was runner-up and Neil Duncan, City of Derry who finished in 4th place.
Eugene Dunbar the 2015 winner of the Travellers Trophy (4th from left) presents the Salver to the 2016 champion Brian McClure from Ballynahinch Golf Club. Also from left are Brendan Coyle, North West who finished in third place, Maurice Quigg, President of City of Derry, Mark O'Doherty, Greencastle who was runner-up and Neil Duncan, City of Derry who finished in 4th place.

Brian McClure (8) from the Ballynahinch club finally secured victory by three points over Greencastle’s Mark O’Doherty after overcoming a five point deficit and also winning the daily first prize with a magnificent 39 points.

This was Brian’s 21st attempt to finally win the coveted trophy.

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Third place in the overall tournament went to North West’s Brendan Coyle (12) who finished runner-up in 2015 beating City of Derry newcomer Neil Duncan (13) on break of tie.

McClure’s daily points total was matched on the day by the City of Derry Professional, Sam Smallwoods who has toured once before on this tour and was very pleased with his 3-under score in what were not easy conditions.

The other amateur day prize winners were won by Greencastle’s Maurice Brennan (8) who scored 35 points and City of Derry’s Karl Doherty (15) who finished with 34 points.

The winning team over the four days was that led by Brian McClure with Portadown’s Stephen Wray, City of Derry’s Shane Kelly and Sean McKane who finished on 355 points.

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The runner-up team with 334 points was captained by the City of Derry Professional Sam Smallwoods with Neil Duncan, Newtownstewart’s Trevor Finlay and North West’s Danny McCloskey.

In his closing speech at this the 39th tour, Tournament Organiser Andy Meenagh expressed his gratitude to all the travellers who made the tour possible, not forgetting the two Australian players Leo Hickey and Peter Doherty who impressively haven’t missed touring over the last five years.

He announced that the next landmark 40th tour will take place again in Majorca from 13th to 20th May 2017.

Prize-giving and dinner for the 39th tour will take place at City of Derry club house this Saturday at 8.30pm sharp.

Related topics:Brian McClureGolfCity of DerrySpain