Composed finish wins day for Martin

A birdie at the 9th capped a most impressive front 9 and after 12 holes he was just 2 over par. He then made his own attempt at a mini collapse by dropping 6 shots over the next 4 holes helped by double bogeys at the 13th and 15th, but composed himself to finish 3-5 and win the day.

Michael McMahon has been knocking on the door all year and it looks like he will finish the season in similar fashion when his nett 66, off 12, once more found him denied the top spot.

A brilliant start saw birdies at the 1st and 4th , but a triple bogey at the 5th put him on the back foot and although he dropped just three shots over the next 10 holes, a 6-4-6 finish put paid to his chances.

The prizes just keep rolling in for John Hartnett and his nett 67, off 7, on Saturday gave him third place.

A double bogey at the 3rd provided an early disappointment but birdies at the 4th and 10th got him back on track and a back nine of just 36 shots was to prove decisive.

Possibly encouraged by the inspired efforts of playing partner Michael McMahon, Tony Gallery also claimed a prize when his nett 68, off 12, took 4th place. He went out in a relatively modest 42 shots but a birdie at the long 15th helped him come home in 38 for his best score since July.

The gross prize went to young Peter Cummins to add to an extremely impressive collection of golfing achievements put together by he and his sister Maeve this season. He lifted yesterday’s award with a round of 72 helped by birdies at the 1st, 4th and 7th. His play of the 4th hole this year has reflected his overall play as he has had three eagles, 13 birdies, 19 pars and a single bogey there.

The low section was taken by Gareth Moore with a nett 70 off 3 and he was to squeeze Tom Douglas and Richard Budd out of the prizes on the back 9. In fact the decision between Tom and he went to the last six holes over which stretch Tom took 28 shots compared to Gareth’s 26.

Young Ronan McCrory has certainly had a summer to remember and he is showing no signs of easing up as we move into the autumn. Having played off 17 earlier in the year, he now finds himself off 12 and he took the middle section yesterday with a nett 69 thanks to a short game which is just getting better and better.

Second in the section went to the in-form Nigel Girvan with a nett 70 off 18. He will still be playing the 3rd hole over and over in his head for there he inexplicably ran up a most uncharacteristic nine which was to prove extremely costly.

The high section was the most closely fought of the day with four players returning nett 70 to battle it out for the prize.

In the end Alistair McCaffrey,21, took the honours from Kieran McCorry,19, Colin Atkinson, 19 and David O’Neill, 22, in that order.

Lurgan’s B&D team under the leadership of team captain Gareth Moore travelled to Shandon for the second leg of this year’s final. The boys faced an uphill task after a heavy defeat at home last Sunday. Michael McSherry was first out and went down 2 after four holes as his opponent had eagles at both the 3rd and 4th. Michael fought bravely and held on before finally being beaten 3/2.

Coalan McCann was second out but faced an opponent on top form and was well beaten.

Shane Magee was match faced ex-Irish International player Philip Purdy and was beaten 4/3. Gareth Moore was next out but with the first three matches lost his match and that of Steven Kelly, Gary Clarke and Paul McCabrey were all called in.

Each of the players represented the club throughout this year’s competition with a great sense of pride and determination. They all know that the damage was done in the first leg of the final at home last week. The boys were all full of praise for team Captain Gareth Moore and to everyone who supported them along the way and all are determined go one step further next year. Well done Gareth and the B&D Team you took us on a great journey this season.