All the news and happenings from the local golf clubs

Portstewart’s Harriman Cup, the proceeds of which go to the Coleraine Hospice Support Group, was won by seven handicap Mark Donaghy with a score of 39 points.

Mark was two under par after four with birdies at the opening hole and the long fourth. Two double bogies late in the opening nine set him back a little but Mark had still logged 19 points at the turn for home. Shots were picked up at both par fives on the inward nine and although a few shots were dropped, they were very few and allowed Mark to add 20 points to the card for his winning 39 tally.

John Auld took runners up spot with his 38 point return. His steady front nine included a blank on four and gave him 18 points out Just one point acme john’s way at ten before he slipped in a birdie three on eleven to boost his chances. His finish of two sixes would have disappointed him as one extra point would have moved him to the top of the leader board as he ended up with 20 back and 38 total.

It was not to be however, and I believe he got in before dark as well. Kenny Woodrow wa tops in Section A with 37 points from his mark of nine. He had a below average front nine, blanking the fourth and hitting numerous bogeys, of fifteen points but the second half was totally different, a birdie three on eleven was sandwiched between two bogeys.

He then rattled off three consecutive birdies on thirteen, fourteen and fifteen to send his back nine points tally to 22 to finish with 37 and lift his section prize. Danny Haslam hit 38 off his handicap of fifteen to claim Section B. Even with a double bogey six at eight he had gathered 20 points out but the back nine was blighted by a no score on thirteen. His birdie three on sixteen could not make up enough ground on the overall leader but it was enough to get Danny top prize in the High Section.

Ansley Stewart claimed the gross prize for his round of 74. He was out in 38 shots, two over par, with a birdie four at seven helping. Both long holes on the inward nine gave him birdies too as did eighteen to see him back in level par 36 for his two over 74.

Ailna Smyth, Chairman of the Hospice Support Group, extended her thanks to all the Ladies and Gents who participated in the competition and to Portstewart Golf Club and the sponsors for their generosity on the day.

TREVOR COOKE’S UP A WIN

Trevor Cooke took the Maxol Cup at Bushfoot Golf Club with 40 points on Saturday.

The twenty handicapper played the opening nine in three fewer shots than that handicap would suggest and had 21 points in the bag at the turn. His back nine was not just as good but he still beat his handicap again to add 19 points to the card for 40 and took the win by one point.

Robert McLaughlin was the man to get closest to Trevor, scoring 39 points form his mark of eleven. His opening nine holes was an up and down affair with a birdie four on six nasty six on five being the ‘up and down’ but he was just getting warmed up and took the back nine by storm, dropping just four shots to par to get to 39 points at the end keeping Gerald Madden in third on countback.

Another eleven man Gerald started and finished the front nine with bogeys and hit seven pars in between. A couple of sixes appeared on the inward nine to see Gerald back in six over to seal his third spot on 39.

Trevor McKendry’s back nine saw him get to the top in the gross stakes after a disappointing opening nine holes. He was out in 41 shots with a triple bogey seven on five and a ninth hole double bogey to annoy him.

That annoyance was relieved coming bac as he hit a birdie three on thirteen and a four on fifteen to help him home in level par 35 for his total of 76.

OLD COURSE HOLE IN ONE FOR KEVIN

Kevin Martin, an electrician and a regular on the Old Course at Portstewart Golf Club, recently shocked himself with his first hole in one on the eighteenth.

I trust this won’t mark the end of his golfing career just because he is to be married shortly. Congratulations Kevin and we look forward to seeing you and Gerry back on the Old course circuit through the summer.

SANDY IRWIN MEMORIAL CUP AT RATHMORE

Russell Dunlop claimed victory in the Sandy Irwin Memorial Cup at Rathmore golf Club on Sunday with a great net round 64, six under par.

He covered the outward nine holes in just two over par 37, without the aid of birdies. That’s not to say he didn’t get any as they came thick and fast on the way in! I’ll start the back nine report by saying that no shots were dropped. Russell hit a two on eleven. He hit four consecutive birdies from the fourteenth! A two and three threes they were and he finished the back nine in five under par 30 for his gross round of 67 which then netted down to 64 to give Russell the cup by one shot.

The runner up Mark McClelland had the same number of birdies, five, but spread them over the whole round. He started and ended the front nine with threes and got another in the middle on the fifth to help him to the turn in one under par 34.

Ten was shortened to four shots and Mark picked up a two on fifteen as well to end the back nine on one over par 36 and the eighteen in level par 70. When his five handicap was added in he took second place on net 65. A net 67 for Robert Cunningham took third spot. Robert hit just a single birdie, a four on ten, but had a couple of double bogies, one on each nine, which didn’t help him at all. Overall though it was a good round of five over par 75 netting to 67.

Best gross went to Ben Best for his round of 69, one under par. His opening double bogey six was not a welcome sight for Ben but he redressed that quickly with an eagle three on the long fifth to get back to level par. His three at the next put him under par but a couple of shots went west before another three, on nine, saw Ben out in level par 35.

Thirteen gave him a birdie four but this was repaid at seventeen with a five and it took a birdy two at the death to get Ben back with a sub par tally of 69 shots.

Aveline England Open

Competition

Portstewart Golf Club Ladies Section held its first open competition on Wednesday 7th May and were delighted to see so many lady members and visitors enjoying the day.

The presentation evening was also well supported.

On the evening they were delighted to present a special prize to Laureen Greenleese for her hole in one on the Strand course sixth hole, 23rd April in the Mary Peter’s Trophy. Well done Laureen a great achievement.

The successful winners on the evening were: Lady Captain Rosie Millar, Elaine Allen & Pauline Agnew - Team Stableford 12th March

Corinna O’Neill & Evelyn O’Neill - Australian Spoons

Lynne Gibb (section A), Inge Rowan (Section B) & Kathleen McIlfatrick (Section C) -Peggy Nelson Trophy

Corinna O’Neill - MacMillan Cancer Research

Anne McKeague -PGA Tankard & April Monthly Medal

May Johnston & Clare Johnston - Nellie Garrett Foursomes

Mo Giffin - Mary Peters Trophy

Eugena Porter & Kay Simpson - Peugeot Coronation Foursomes

Jennifer Mullan - Laurel Hill Trophy

Winners of the Aveline England Open were: Denise Ross 1st Prize, Catherine O’Donnel (Kilrea) Gross Prize, Sheila Aicken Runner up, Caroline McMullen 3rd Prize, Lady Captain Rosie Millar 4th Prize, Inge Rown front nine & Anne McKeague back nine.

A great start to the golfing year and for the Lady Captain Rosie Millar, well done all.

Medal Success for Cecil

In Division One, Cecil Linton, playing off 13, was in the pink on Saturday winning the Monthly Medal with a nett 68.

After a poor first hole, Cecil showed his bouncebackability with a birdie at the second.

Once his heart arrhythmia had subsided he played some very steady golf only dropping seven shots over the remaining 16 holes.

Leslie McCauley, playing off five, was second with a nett 69. With birdies at the first, fourth and fifth, Leslie made the turn one under par.

More birdies followed on the back nine at the 12th and 14th which meant he finished two over par for his round. Mervyn McKeeman (14) was third with a nett 70.

In Division Two, Richard Mooney, playing off 17, took pole position with a nett 71. He was the epitome of the solid golfer throughout the front nine as he made the turn with a nett level par.

Richard’s back nine proved to be more up and down, but four pars over the closing five holes led to his victory.

Jonathan Kyle, playing off 20, was second with a nett 71. His back nine just couldn’t match the finish of Richard’s, but I’m sure he’ll be in contention once again next month. Lee Munnis (19) was third with a nett 74.

Tim McGarry, playing off 18, was first on Sunday in the Sweep with 40 points. After an excellent front nine which produced 21 points, the platform had been created for potential success.

Tim duly continued his excellent play throughout the back nine which resulted in 19 points.

Francis McKenna, playing off 11, was second with 38 points. His scorecard was a consistent mix of pars and bogeys, but his fast finish with birdies at the 15th and 18th was just enough to relegate four-handicapper Ian Morrison into thirrd spot on count back. Robert McNeill, with a round of one over par, won the gross prize.