First major win for Stanley Dickson

Stanley Dickson (18) played the round of his life in the Fred Daly Memorial on Saturday July 7. He scored 44 points and, thanks to a superb finish, he beat four other players on countback to win his first major.

Stanley was delighted as were his playing partners, Ian Magowan, Joe Smyth and Paul Oliver.

Stanley only dropped two shots over the last five holes and that was crucial.

Young Jonathan Brush (11) was runner-up, also with 44 points. This young man is a very talented player, no doubt about it. He went round in 73 shots, four over par and the only blemish on his card was a double bogey six at the 11th. That cost him victory.

Billy Clarke (16) was third and he too had 44 points. With three holes to play, Billy was well out in front. But he contrived to drop five shots over those particular holes. It was sad but it has happened to us all.

Darren Barker (15) was fourth with yet another 44 points. Like Billy Clarke before him, he let his chance of victory slip from his grasp on the very last hole. Darren stood on the 18th tee with 44 points. A five at the par three 18th would give him one point and the win.

I do not know what happened but he dinged the hole, no points and down to fourth place. What a cruel game golf can be sometimes!

And what about Kevin Smyth! He too had 44 points, finished fifth and out of the prizes.

Colin Dowds (8) shot a fabulous gross 71 and finished alone on 43 points.

Adam McGregor (10), Joshua McCrory (10) and Dominic McArdle (22) all had 42 points, which gave them a top ten finish.

Colin Kennedy (11), Shane Crossan (15), Philip Mallon (10), Victor McNeill (19), Neil Clydesdale (5) and Roy McAfee (12) all had 41 points. The only one from this group to get a prize was Colin Kennedy who was the best senior player.

The battle for the best gross prize was almost as close as the battle for the best nett prize.

Neil Clydesdale, Luke Woods and Rory Madeley all went round in level par gross 69. When countback came into play, Rory Madeley was declared the winner. He needs one more good round to be cut to three handicap. He’ll do it, just wait and see.

Joe Whiteside (16), William Malcolmson (5) and Paul Simpson (15) were the other three players to score in the 40’s.

That makes a total of 20 players who scored 40 points or better in the Fred Daly Memorial. That’s very impressive.

And the man who came out on top was on Stanley Dickson. Don’t forget to congratulate him if you see him. It’s a milestone in his golfing career.