A fine birdie at the last helps Andrew to Hold on to victory

All the competitors found the swirling winds and occasional heavy showers very difficult for scoring. In fact, the top five golfers were the only ones to break par and all played early in the morning.

Winner Andrew Holdsworth (26) started his round well picking up 10 points in the first four holes, Two sevens in the middle of the front nine, and only one point, did not deter him as he picked up another eight points on the last three for 19 points at the half way stage.

Andrew clinched victory thanks to 20 points on a back that included picking up 13 points on three holes, a birdie two on the 12th a par five at the 13th, picking four points at each hole. A spectacular birdie three at the final hole then saw Andrew pick up five points to secure a well deserved victory.

Second to fifth place winners all recorded 37 points with Willie Redpath (13) clinching second place thanks to a great back nine.

Willie looked a long way off the prize after picking up only 14 points in the front nine despite starting off with a birdie three on the first hole.

He started the back nine with birdies at the 10th and 12th and despite dropping shots at the 11th and 15th, he recorded pars at the reminding holes for 23 points.

Third place went to Eddie Gregg (7) after recording 17 points on the front he came home in 20 points – the highlight a birdied three at the 14th.

After a year out due to illness, it was good to see Ivor Moffitt (10) back in action and in the prizes as he clinched fourth spot thanks to 19 points on the back nine which was helped by a birdie three at the 17th.

Fifth spot went to Jerry Milliken (14) who picked up 19 points on the front nine. Jerry will reflect on only picking up three points at the 14th, 15th and 16th.

The scratch golfers also found the scoring tough as the gross prize was won by Graeme Dickson (-1) with a two over par 72, which included birdies at the 9th, 10th, and 13th.

The week before, Gary Wilson (8) did enough to secure victory in the McKnight Cup by firing an impressive 40 points. That was thanks, in no small part, to a back nine of 23 points that included three birdies at the 11th, 15th and 18th.

Thelma Cup draw

T. Cassidy v J. Taggart, G. McAuley v C. Morgan, B. Kane v D. White, I. Moore v G. Morrison, J. Keag v W. Parkinson, M. Black v T. Gracey, S. Donaghy v B. Gaw, D. Houston v T. Scullion.

team news

The Belfast and District Senior team progressed to the next round when they won the necessary one match in the away leg againstCarnalea, Peter Kerr winning the point.

That was all the Dunmurry team needed to ensure progress after they had recorded an emphatic 6.5-.5 victory over Carnalea Golf Club in the second round first leg at their home course.

There was disappointment for the Dunmurry Jimmy Bruen and Irish Mixed teams as they failed to qualify for knockout stages.