GOLF: More success for the Kearneys

His score of 36 points left him five points clear of the opposition at the Shuttlecock Golfing Society’s outing to City of Derry Golf Club.

Playing out of Gracehill Liams game was well suited to the challenges that this Prehen course presented.

Despite falling foul of one the many unseen hazards at the par five third hole Liam’s strong driving and accurate iron play produced a hat trick of three pointers for a nineteen point total at the turn.

The highlight of Liam’s round came at the par five seventh hole at which he holed out his approach shot for a birdie and a welcome four points.

On the back nine Liams only hiccup came on the par three 12th hole . His slightly wayward tee shot left him with an awkward second shot which the large greenside bunker was more than happy to gobble up and retain.

Despite this Liam’s seventeen points on the back nine left him with the best card of the day and a deserved outing win.

The degree of difficulty of this City of Derry course can perhaps be measured by the fact that out of twenty four cards only four players managed to better 30 points.

The runner up in the High Section was Noel McGahon with 31 points.

This was an excellent result for Noel who reached the turn with 18 points, even with a “ ding “ at the par four ninth hole. Not surprisingly points were dropped on the back nine.

Tiredness probably took its toll with the final five holes yielding just five points. Nevertheless Noel should be well pleased with his days work. A monumental effort!

Third place was claimed by Vinty McMahon who carded 29 points.

In the Low Section seventeen handicapper Robin Walker continued his good run of form, finishing three points ahead of the opposition on 33 points.

Despite coming to grief on the par four second hole Robin rebounded quickly with a fine par at the treacherous par five fifth hole. With two further pars at the seventh and ninth holes Robin carded 16 points at the turn.

Three single pointers at the 10th, 14th and 17th holes were almost cancelled out by pars at the 12th and 15 holes.

A very solid back nine total of 17 points was enough to win this section from eighteen handicapper Colin Mairs who came in with a very respectable score of 30 points. Two ‘dings’ at the second and seventh holes limited Colin to 13 points on the front nine.

But pars at the 10th and 12th holes provided a healthy start to the back nine with ten points collected from the first four holes.

Unfortunately single pointers at the next two holes diluted what could have been an excellent score. Still a seventeen point total has to be acceptable on this demanding course.

Third place in this section went to Eugene Laverty who also finished on 30 points.

With no Twos bagged riches await in the form of a £60 rollover at the next outing which will be held at Roe Park on Thursday 31st May with tee off times from 2.30pm - 3.15pm.