GOLF: Spring League now up and underway at Roe Park GC

This year also sees the league consist of four man teams instead of the usual three man teams with the first league competition being a Club Stableford on Thursday.

Phillip McKeever didn’t get off to the best start with two bogeys and a double bogey at the tough third hole.

He soon warmed up though and recovered well to score a simply unbeatable 42 points for the victory.

Graham Forrest, having hibernated for most of the winter, got his season underway with a solid score of 36 points to finish second. Charlie Mearns finished third with 35 points.

Saturday’s Club Stableford was a day of two halves with the weather calm in the morning and stormy in the afternoon.

Dr. Gerry Byrne, fresh from his second place on St Patricks Day, went one better this time, taking full advantage of the calm conditions to score 20 points on the front nine holes.

With the wind picking up it was a fantastic effort from Gerry on the back nine as he shot a brilliant 22 points to give him a total of 42 points and the win. Michael Mullin also had an excellent round as he scored 41 points to claim second place.

Kieran Berryman and Andy Young fought it out for third place with both men scoring 38 points.

A spot of bother in the bunker at the last hole for Andy meant Kieran claimed that third spot leaving Andy to win the gross prize. Expect both men to duke it out once more when the Golfer of the Year series starts in May.

The first week of the Spring League sees two teams sit atop the table with 81 points.

They are Kieran Berryman, Bryan Donaghy, Norman McMichael, Willie McCormick and Alex Steele, John McKay, Mervyn Brown, Stephen Rainey.

This week sees the Spring League continue with club competitions on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

To book a tee time or for any other enquiries call the very helpful and friendly staff at The Golf Shop on 02877760105.

Meanwhile revenge, the proverb says, is a dish best served cold and on Saturday at City of Derry John O’Doherty (11) got the opportunity for revenge and gorged himself to the full.

Having been disqualified in last week’s competition due to an administrative error on his part he set out to use his new found eleven handicap to good effect. If the truth be told, and it always is here, John’s fabulous 38 point haul could have been significantly better were it not for a slight hiccup on the relatively easy Par 5 “Dermot’s”.

Mr O’Doherty didn’t have things totally his own way though because sixteen handicapper Trevor Heywood (16) was fighting his own battle against the windy Prehen course but he did secure second spot after finishing with 37 points and Andy McFaul (12) was third after he scored 36 points.

While the Sunday Society was played in much more benign conditions but vicious showers and a bitingly cold wind made sure that those who braved the course had to keep their wits, and waterproofs, about them.

When the clubs were stored in lockers at the end of the day Brian McClelland (17) found that his 35 point was enough to take first spot by virtue of a break of tie.

Tony McCann (13) took second position after a steady driving performance and Pat Tuohy (20) finished in third with a fine 34 point total to his name.

The Sunday Society faithful will at this point be looking forward to April 10th when the Captain’s Prize of Mr Jim McCann is down for decision. A meal will be served in the clubhouse at 6pm and the Prize presentation will follow.