Banbridge defeat Spain in GUI mixed foursomes competition

Downpatrick was chosen as the neutral venue for the match.

Banbridge expected a tough encounter with the result depending on the final game of the five. That’s the usual story but it was different this time.

Mildred Hodgett and Harry Shannon went out first and they won by two up.

Anne-Marie Canavan and Seamus Rooney, a formidable partnership if they’re ever was one, played really well and won by 3 and 2.

Mary Dooher and Paul Magennis proved just too good for their opponents and they won by seven and five.

That was the match over as Banbridge were three up and there was only two more games out on the course.

Mary Longmore and William Malcolmson were one up and so were Fionualla Crosey and Martin McAleenan when they were called in.

Banbridge are through to the last 16 in Ulster. The draw has yet to be made.

I have got a hunch that this team will do well.

Draws made

The draws for the Matchplay Championship and the President’s Prize have been made and players should arrange first round games as soon as possible.

Just for fun, I have seeded eight players to progress to the quarter finals of the Matchplay.

They are Neville Kerr, Kerry McCluskey, Garreth Moody, Malcolm Russell, Mark Hodgen, Declan Dooher, John Convery and Cecil Wilson.

To be the club’s champion golfer in this the centenary year would be a massive honour.

My selections for the President’s Prize are Eugene Weir and Conor Campbell, Dermot Dawson and Philip McCourt, Walter Smyth and Sherwin Curran, Jeffrey Brown and Seamus McNally, Brian Mulholland and Alan Dale, Joe Glass and Joe Thompson, Harry and Jonathan Shannon, Colin Wilton and Paul McDonald.

There are certainly some formidable pairings amongst that lot.

Let the battles commence!