Ciaran sweeps home in Marine Hotel Cup

Second place went to Patrick Dallat, also playing off thirteen, with a nett 66, Des Nevin, playing off seven, was third with a nett 67, eight handicapper Brendan Black took fourth with a nett 67 and Jim McCann, off twenty-five, finished in fifth place also with a nett 67.

A hat-trick of birdies at the 11th, 12th and 13th holes from Francis McGinn in an inward half of 32 strokes helped secure him the best gross prize on Saturday with a three under par 68.

John Higgins jnr was also in good form and a one over par 72 gave him the second gross prize.

Sunday’s team competition was won by the low handicap quartet of Mel Carleton, Ciaran Mort, Colm Hendrie and Tony McConville with a total of 128 points.

The Golfer of the Year competition has now reached the halfway stage at Ballycastle with James McNeill holding a ten point lead at the top of the table.

James picked up six points on Saturday to move on to 60 points, David Getty is in second place after he collected five points at the weekend to bring his total up to 50 points and Des Nevin was awarded sixteen points for his performance in the Marine Hotel Cup to move into third position with a total of 49 points.

Consistently good scoring has enabled Francis McGinn to build up a sizeable lead in the Winchester Challenge Bowl standings in which points are awarded for the best gross scores in each of sixteen cup and medal competitions.

Francis currently leads by twenty-two points after he collected maximum points on Saturday to give him a total of 138 points. Steady golf from Owen Kennedy has helped him consolidate second place on 116 points with Michael Dallat jnr and Neil McMaster in third and fourth positions with totals of 88 and 86 points respectively.

Ballycastle’s Senior Cup team captain Hugh Sayers will be very pleased with the performance of his charges at Massereene on Sunday as they finished in a tie for fifth place overall with an excellent seven over par total of 295. Michael Dallat top scored for the club with a one under par 71, followed by his brother Patrick and Francis McGinn with 74’s, Neil McMaster with a 76 and Mark McCormick with a 78. Galgorm Castle led the qualifying with a four under par 284 total, followed by Shandon Park on 286, Dunmurry on 287 and Ballymena on 289 strokes.

The Glenshesk Cup Open Seniors Stableford takes place at the club next Saturday 25th June.

This year’s competition is once again generously sponsored by Brian McKay with the Cup being awarded to the gentleman over the age of fifty with the best stableford score on the day. There are plenty of voucher prizes up for grabs on Saturday including best gross, best over 60 and best over 70 categories. A competition will also take place for young whippersnappers under the age of 50!

Sunday’s stroke-play competition at Ballycastle will be for the Alphy McCaughan Challenge Cup.

Open Week at Ballycastle is only a few weeks away and from 4pm on Thursday 23rd June timesheet booking will be available. The club are pleased to announce that the sponsors of this year’s Open Week competitions will be: P.J. McIlroy & Son, McNamara Home Furnishings, Anzac Wines, Christies Restaurant @ Ballycastle Golf Club and Northern Road Markings.