GOLF: Captain's Prize this weekend at City of Derry

Everything is in place as the course is in fabulous condition and all that is required is some kind weather for Mr Brolly’s big day.

Tomorrow it is the Thursday Open (sponsored by Heywood and Robinson Handmade Kitchens), and on Sunday there is an Open Stableford for Ladies and Gents.

Visitors can contact Mr Sam Smallwoods (02871311496) to book times for these opens, the Wednesday Meal Deal or available tee-times during the week.

Inclement weather and a football extravaganza conspired to create a low entry for Sunday’s Stableford Competition at City of Derry.

As Ireland succumbed 2-1 to the French Liam Reddin (17) and Wyn Donnell (12) fought a dogged battle for first place on the rain-swept fairways of the Prehen Course.

It took a Break-of-tie to separate their 39 points totals and Reddin claimed the top accolade by virtue of a superior back nine.

The ever popular Sam Smallwoods Professional prize for Ladies and Gents at Prehen on Saturday gave rise to the season’s stand-out score when Peter Villa (11) put on a performance that included three birdies and thirteen pars and resulted in a fabulous 48 point tally.

On any other day Michael Lynch (20) would have expected his fine 43 points to be the winning score but, on this occasion, he had to be satisfied with second spot.

The ever-green talents of Ciaran Burke (14) were enough to amass 42 points and take third spot while Arthur O’Hara (13) grabbed fourth prize with a steady 41 points. Aldwyn Leckey’s 39 points, playing off a twelve handicap, was good enough for fifth slot.

Kathy Jackson took the Ladies’ Prize, Vice-Captain Michael Carroll lifted the front nine prize with 21 points and James Desmond lifted the Bback nine prize with 22 points.

Fred Young was the player who held the secret to success in the inaugural Londonderry and Donegal Masonic Open at Prehen last Thursday.

Playing steadily off his nine handicap Young posted a fine 40 points to win from young gun Connor McKnight (10) by a single shot.

The ever-improving Aaron Taylor (1) fired a fine 38 points to take third place and secure the best gross of the day.

With this performance it certainly looks like the stranglehold that Ernie Heywood had on the Prehen Gross Prizes has certainly slipped. David Jones (20) had a performance of note as his 37 points took fourth place,

John Stewart’s 33 points was the best of the visitors, Robert Mitchell took the front nine with 22 points and Lewis Callen captured the back nine prize with a superb 24 point.