Dazzling displayas Christopherrecords six birdies

THE first week of September saw hollow tinning work at Lurgan Golf Club on the Monday and Tuesday.

As a result the Wednesday Sweep was the first opportunity for competitive play during the week. On the day just short of one hundred golfers trod the fairways in search of a win. With the course bedding in just sixteen golfers managed a return of thirty seven points or better in the competition.

There were three returns of 40 points and how they fared on the back nine decided the top three net prizes.

The principal prize went to student member Christopher Watt with his total of 40 points. This two handicapper had a dazzling six birdies over his round. They came at holes three, four, thirteen, fifteen, sixteen and eighteen. On the debit side he incurred bogeys on holes three, six, eleven and fourteen. Pars on the rest of the holes helped him to a very respectable gross 68 and the top prize. Winston Hutchinson was runner up with his tally of 40 points. The seventeen handicapper only lost out on the last three holes. Par figures at holes one, two, four and seven set the benchmark on the opening nine. On the inward nine pars at holes eleven, seventeen and eighteen proved very fruitful. Perhaps double bogeys on holes five and eight cost him an outright win.

Sean McClean had the third return of 40 points and he duly collected third place. The eighteen handicapper had a solid opening nine that included pars at holes two, four, six, eight and nine. On the back nine his only par came at the twelfth. Critically double bogeys on holes fifteen and eighteen did not do him any favours.

Eleven handicapper John Hartnett was fourth with a score of 39 points. John was well to the fore through nine holes with seven pars on his card. On the homeward run he recorded vital birdies on holes twelve and seventeen. A quartet of pars at holes ten, thirteen, fourteen and eighteen also bore fruit. Alas a triple bogey on the sixteenth proved consequential.

The fifth and final net prize went to Brian Malcolmson. The seventeen handicapper also registered a worthy 39 points. On the day he recorded useful pars at holes three, four, five, eight, nine and thirteen. Again a couple of double bogeys did not help his cause.

A gross score of 34 points enabled Laurence McGrady get a spot on the podium. This six handicap player played under his handicap over the respective nines. Eight pars and a bogey on the eighth constituted his outward nine. On the way home he had bogeys on holes twelve and eighteen. However a birdie on the fourteenth and pars on the other six holes helped him to this category award.

The other leading scores were as follows:

38 pts: Jason McCann.

37 pts: Seamus McKavanagh, Peter Simpson, Jim McCann Snr, John Healy, Daniel Wright, Ian Montgomery, Peter Wright, Joe Dowey, Bobby Creaney.