Breakthrough at last forGraham despite a late wobble

Junior Cowdy Cup Captain, Graham McNeill has spent the season returning scores in and around his handicap with no reward, but the long awaited breakthrough came on Saturday when his 42 points, off 23, comfortably took the top prize. Having played himself into an almost unassailable position after 14 holes, an 8 and 7 at the 15th and 18th respectively provided just the kind of wobbly finish he could have done without, but his earlier efforts proved sufficient in the end.

Neal Carson took second place with 40 points off 13. His impressive form this year has been evidenced by a reduction of handicap from 17.0 to 11.7 and if he could have avoided a triple bogey at the 3rd and a double at the 11th his weekend reward might have been greater. Also on 40 points, but having to settle for third on the back 9, was Martin McKinstry.

Richard Budd was the other member of a trio on 40 points and he took fourth place. Birdies at the 8th and 12th were the highlights of a very steady round.

Fifth place went to early morning golfer Philip Heyburn with 39 points off 13.

Alex Denver continues to play some of the best golf of his life and after a sub-par gross 69 on Wednesday, he shot a 72 on Saturday to lift the day’s gross prize and return him to Category 1 status. 4 birdies and four bogeys left him level after 16 only for a couple of closing bogeys to leave him over par.

Shot of the Day came at the 12th where the vastly experienced John Forrester became a member of this year’s ever growing hole-in-one club. Almost swallowed up in a swirling sea of double bogeys and NR’s, his single shot at the 12th will be his abiding memory of the day.

Tim Jenks has spent the summer watching his fourball partners almost sweep all before them and will no doubt be hoping his 38 points on Saturday, which took the low section, will be the catalyst for a much desired change in his fortunes.

Also on 38 points but finding no reward were Gerard Henderson, George Harkness, Paul McConaghy and Anselm Henry.

After his recent success in the club’s Mixed Foursomes, Billy Turkington continued his good form by taking the middle section with 38pts helped by birdies at the 10th and 12th.

Martin Kavanagh took the high section with 37pts just edging out Brian Matthews, Hugh O’Reilly and Colin Darling.

The student prize went to Ronan McGivern with 39 points.

The longest drive prize went to Brian Scullion while Brian Mallon lifted the nearest the pin award.