Fantastic front nine leads Michael to top prize at Lisburn Open Week

Michael Robinson recovered from bad starts to each nine to win the Barbour Cup at the climax of Lisburn Golf Club’s Open Week.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Aug 2014, 09:00 BST
Michael Robinson holds the Barbour Cup watched by Patrick Coyle (Coyle Agencies)and Peter Cairns the Lisburn captain.Michael Robinson holds the Barbour Cup watched by Patrick Coyle (Coyle Agencies)and Peter Cairns the Lisburn captain.
Michael Robinson holds the Barbour Cup watched by Patrick Coyle (Coyle Agencies)and Peter Cairns the Lisburn captain.

After a six at the first, Michael holed good putts for birdies at the next two holes.

Playing off 10, he faltered again with two bogeys but a long putt across the sloping seventh green disappeared for a magnificent birdie three.

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He reached the turn in level par 36 but promptly threw away his advantage with four bogeys in five holes. He chipped in for an unlikely birdie three at 15 and holed good putts for pars on the last two holes for a back nine of 40.

Michael’s round of 76 (net 66) left him two strokes ahead of Jordan McCreedy (12). Jordan went out in 39 and started the back nine with three pars. He then proceeded to drop five strokes in the next four holes for a back nine of 41 and a round of 80. Thomas Jeffers (6) was third on 69.

Five competitors tied on 70: Stephen Wilkinson, Conor Mallon (Balmoral), Michael McNeice, Christopher Graham and Norman Lambe. Stephen was awarded third place on count-back with Conor fourth.

Chris Moulds semed a certainty to win the best gross prize after starting with four birdies in the first five holes. He followed with two pars but finished with two bogeys for a front nine of 34. After a triple bogey seven at the 11th he birdied 12 and eagled 14. He finished with two fives for a back nine of 39 and a total 73.

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However, he lost out by two strokes to Derek Turkington (Massereene). Derek also played the front nine in 34 but a single bogey at the 12th gave him a back nine of 37 for a winning score of 71.

The evening ended with a barbecue after which the club captain Peter Cairns thanked all those who had helped make the week so successful, especially the sponsors and the competition committee led by convenor Hen Haslem.

He thanked the catering staff for the barbecue and congratulated the greenstaff for the excellent condition of the course. The torrential rain on Tuesday night had washed away several paths and the bunkers were declared GUR on Wednesday. Due to hard work, the course was in excellent condition again on Thursday.

Competitors from all over Ulster had commented favourably on the excellent condition of the course and said how much they had enjoyed their visit to Lisburn.

Wednesday Open Mens Stableford: 1st Norman Bissett 43pts, 2nd Ben McCambley 42pts, 3rd Sepp Zwahlen 41pts.