Green rolls well at Prehen

By the end of play it was Kevin Green (16) who had best mastered the conditions, kept the ball on the fairway and read the tricky greens best as he carded a superb 37 points to take first place. Kevin rolled out in 25 points and added a further 12 on the return journey to ensure victory by a two-point margin from the chasing pack. Billy Henderson (9) was at the head of the snarling masses behind Green with a fine 35 points to take second place.

Third place went to the ever affable Sammy Connor (16) who finished on 34 points having enjoyed a successful back six tie-break from Martin Duddy (15) who also finished on 34 points but had to be satisfied with fourth place. Eamon McCourt (7) fought his way to fifth place with a decent, if unspectacular, 32 point total which keeps him in the running for the coveted Golfer of the Year title.

However, the clubhouse bookies doubt that he has the stature required for such a tall order as over-hauling the current leaders and are offering long odds on such an eventuality! James Desmond (15) finished in sixth spot on 31 points to continue his challenge for top honours.

The fight for Golfer of the Year continues to intrigue with 10 outings played. At this stage Martin Duddy and James Desmond have grabbed joint top spot but only ten outings count in the standings and Desmond has ten scores counting while Duddy has only played in eight so far. With two outing “in hand” he looks a strong contender while Desmond will have to play out of his skin in the coming weeks to better his previously recorded scores.

Meantime Sunday Society Specialist Clive Brolly has nine counting scores and lies in third place only four points adrift of the leaders. The man everyone expects to emerge as the eventual winner, Graham Hepburn, stumbled a little this week and has slid to a lowly fourth place.

Eamon McCourt’s decent play on Sunday saw him solidify his fifth place and John Gallagher’s golf game continues to click as he cemented his sixth place over the weekend. Sadly, it appears the early leader, local radio personality Sean Coyle, may be suffering from winter blues and he has tumbled to a tie for a lowly seventh place with emerging challenger Mr President Alan Mongomery who many see, on paper anyway, as having the game to snatch eventual victory now that a new driver has cured his renowned wayward progress from the tee.

The contest continues each Sunday and there is a long way to go before this race will be settled.

While it was a tough day at the office on over the weekend for anyone playing golf as strong icy winds combined with vicious showers to ensure that only a combination of the hardy and the foolhardy ventured on to the fairways! Despite the conditions a sizeable entry contested the Saturday Stableford and by the end of play it was Rob Jefferson (9) who landed the winner’s prize with a fine 32 points.

Second spot went to Alan Philson (6) with 31 points and Richard Porter (12) poured into third place with a steady 30 points after finishing just a head of Robin McClay on a front nine, back six break of tie.

Meanwhile well known cricket umpire Connie McAllister (16) taking a break from his summer umpiring duties was best of the day at Prehen on Thursday with a finely compiled 32 points although he had to survive a seven way count back to take the honours. The lowest handicapper in the Society Terry Coyle (4) went round the shortened course in two under par gross, courtesy of birdies at the third, ninth, tenth and twelfth to take second place from the fast finishing Seamus Given (14).

And the Harry Bryson and Jim Bresland Presentations will take place in the clubhouse on Thursday December 15, at 4pm.

The following members are requested to attend to receive their prizes: J Woods, R Hamilton, C Thompson, M McCarter, E McCourt, G Gormley, K McClintock, J Woods.

There will be a complimentary dinner of Turkey and Ham or Roast Beef, Dessert, Tea or Coffee for members who have played a minimum of 4 outings up until and including the December 15th.

Please enter your name and choice of meal, if you wish to attend, on the posters in The Locker Room or The Professionals Shop. All other winning vouchers will be deposited in their accounts.