Changing features at Lisburn Golf Club

THE removal of the conifers has dramatically changed the features of the picturesque 6th hole at Lisburn. Some of the tall conifers on the left side of the fairway had fallen down while others were badly tilted due to winter gales. The conifers had overgrown so much that they blocked out the left side of the tee which couldn’t be used.

Wood surgeons have removed all the conifers and the increased light should help growth on the tee box. The region will now be banked with new trees planted in the near future.

Michael McNeice won last week’s Wednesday competition at Lisburn but Gary Gilpin was the big money winner due to his birdie two at the short fourth. The course had dried out well but only the bravest ventured out in the bitterly cold conditions.

Michael played steadily and putted well for 23 points. Gary was one point in arrears having played the front nine holes in 37. He opened with three pars and then hit a nine iron to eight feet from the flag at the short fourth. He holed the difficult putt across the slope for the only two of the day. He took three putts on the fifth green and missed the sixth green to drop two strokes. Roy Welsh finished one stroke behind on 21 points.