Great weather brings golfers out at Prehen

Some one hundred players turned out for the second Sunday Society of the year and they were rewarded by a course beautifully presented, perfect playing conditions and temperatures in the low twenties for most of the day.

But the hottest thing at Prehen on Sunday was the scoring as players jockeyed for the early lead in the Golfer of the Year stakes.

At the end of play it was the 43 point tally from John Flynn (15) that topped the results board. Sunday Society specialist John McClafferty (17) slipped into second place by virtue of a better back nine in his 41 points.

Michael Feeney (10) was on the wrong side of that split but managed to take third spot ahead of Maurice Quigg (18) whose game wilted over the back nine after a spectacular display on the front holes.

Paddy Semple (15) took fifth spot by virtue of a break of tie over the closing holes from the consistent John Rosborough (12) whose early morning round of 40 points had dominated the returns for most of the day only to be overtaken in the late evening sunshine of a beautiful autumn day.

Members are reminded that they can book their tee times online as usual for the Sunday Society. Also, members and friends need to be alert since tickets will soon be on sale for the October Ball on Saturday, October 30, when the October Draw will take place.

Tickets are sure to be in short supply for what promises to be an unforgettable night as the fate of 36,000 prize fund is finally decided!

Bright sunny day, calm balmy breeze, beautiful scenery what else could anyone want on a Saturday if you were one of the unlucky ones who failed to win the 113 million on Friday night?

That was the scene on Saturday at City of Derry Golf Club when over a hundred players turned their attention to the real prize how to master the Prehen course and, at the same time, win themselves an October Draw Ticket and a chance to win some of the 36,000 prize fund on offer at the October Ball.

On the day it was Pat Logue (23) who counted the winning score and added it to his card. That score was a superb 43 points. Pat's play wasn't a case of flares, bells and whistles but more a determined, earnest endeavour that gave away nothing round the greens and made every putt count! Twenty points on the outward nine set the scene but that was complimented by a great 23 points over the closing holes to ensure that his 43 points beat the nearest contender.

Jimmy Mohan (13) stormed out in 22 points but his back nine lacked one thing any score at all at the difficult Par 3 "The Quarry"! That single mistake consigned him to second place by virtue of a Break of Tie.

John Oliver Hasson (16) also needed a break of tie over the back nine holes to edge himself out of the pack of those on 41 points and grab third spot and the last Draw Ticket on offer!

Members are reminded that the 'October Draw' competitions will continue every Saturday until October 30th and times can be booked online at www.cityofderrygolfclub.com.

Friends of City of Derry, or anyone with a likening for a wee flutter, who fancy their chances of landing any of the prizes in the 36,000 October Draw have until 30th October to buy their 90 or 100 euro ticket by phoning 71346369.

While a warm sunny day saw no less than 72 players take to the City of Derry fairways for the opening day of Prehen's popular Thursday Society.

With the course in superb condition the scoring was equally so and the evergreen Davy Godfrey (23) got his season off to a magnificent start with a finely compiled 42 points.

Dungiven man Sean McCaul (17) collected second prize on his debut appearance in the society with an excellent 40 points and he was followed home by Raymond Taylor (11) with 39 points on a count back.

Members are reminded that today's (Thursday) they will be playing for the Harry Bryson Trophy.