Half time in Rathmore Cup

In the Dowds Cup Russell Napier and Bill Clarke are level on net 64s with Russell edging it on countback.

Rory’s 67 included seven birdies, one, three, seven and nine on his way out and ten, twelve and fourteen coming back! A few dropped shots on the back nine pegged him back to level par for it but he had covered the front nine in three under par for his round of 67.

In the Dowds Cup Russell Napier’s net 64 was comprised of steady, uncomplicated golf. He was out in 41, six over par but turned on the throttle on the way in, dropping just two shots to bogeys at fifteen and seventeen but birdying the par four sixteenth to be back in 36. His gross 77 netted down to 64 and tied with Bill Clarke.

The five handicapper had threes for birdies at two and seven but had dropped in three bogies as well to be out in one over par 36. The long tenth fell to a birdie four and thirteen was more generous with an eagle three to see bill go to two under par. Sixteen took a shot back though and bill was back in two under 33 for a total of one over 69. Netted down this gave Bill his 64 but countback kept him in second place so far.

Andrew Stewart, a juvenile member, carded a 66 off his handicap of thirteen. He was four over par on the outward leg and seven over on the return. Fourth place went to Adrian Proctor for his net 68 off thirteen. The unfortunate Adrian had an ugly seven at the par four eighth and another blot with a six at seventeen. Fifth on the day was Blair Cameron with his net 69. The ten man also had a couple of nasty scores, doubles on seven and fourteen and a triple on the short eleventh. They all have a chance to get their hands on trophies next Sunday with the second round as a decider.

Meanwhile, William Bamber teamed with Mrs Jane Allen to top the gross section of the Irish Golf Cup event at Royal Portrush at the weekend with a score of 79.