Henderson wins Memorial Trophy

Conditions were dry but noticeably cooler than earlier in the week. The event was well supported with a field around 243.

Scoring was again very impressive and at least 43 golfers managed under par returns in this stableford competition. Thus about 18 per cent of the entry submitted under par returns.

A wonderful effort allowed John Henderson to emerge as clear winner. Playing off the maximum 28 handicap John stormed through the field to win by three points.

His sparkling opening nine provided him with a great advantage. He registered useful pars at holes one, four, five and eight. More pars came his way on holes 10 and 15. In spite of a triple bogey on the sixth and doubles on holes three, seven, 13 and 16 he still accumulated this massive total of points. A string of net pars helped him to top the leader board and claim the main prize.

After a strong showing on Wednesday Ivan Lavery took the second net award with a tempting effort of 42 points. This in-form 24 handicapper required a better last six effort to get the nod. Par figures at holes three, eight and nine provided the early bonus.

Further quality pars at holes 10, 13, 14 and 16 ensured him a spot on the podium.

Eight handicapper Jim McKee was third with a well engineered return of 42 points. Jim birdied holes one and 12 but ran up bogeys on holes five, six, seven and 16. His gross 72 elevated him into third place.

The weekly gross prize went to Gary Clarke. This one handicapper took the spoils with 36 gross points. Whilst he had concessions to par at holes eight, 12, 13 and 16 he reduced some of that deficit with critical birdies on holes one, nine and an eagle three at the fourth. Pars were acquired on the other 11 holes.

With 41 points, Gary McKee snatched the low section divisional award. This eight handicapper went through nine holes in level par figures.

He secured birdies on holes five and eight but negated those gains with bogeys on holes three and six. Pars were made on the other five holes and his inward nine comprised six pars and three bogeys. He surrendered shots at holes 11, 14 and 16. This gross 73 secured him the honours.

A tally of 42 points provided Conor McEvoy with the top accolade in the middle section. Playing off an 18 handicap Conor had just two scores on his card namely pars or bogeys. His vital par returns came at holes three, four, six, 10, 12 and 13. This degree of consistency earned him the prize.

With a five under par effort of 41 points it was Patrick McCorry who emerged victorious in the high section. This 20 handicapper landed crucial pars at holes eight, 12 and 13 in the middle of his round.

He rounded off his day with an exciting trio of pars on the last three holes of play.

The other golfers to come under the radar were Collie Nash Jnr and Steven Kane on 40 points. Joe Dowey, Gerard Henderson, Dwaine Hanna, John Hartnett, Sean Toman, Conal Patterson, Ian Hamilton, High O’Reilly and Michael McHugh all ended with 39 points.

Golfers finishing with 38 points were Nathan McCann, Raymond McCrory, B W Robinson, Tom Creaney, Colie Hash Snr, Conor Wilson, Peter Simpson, John McEvoy, Michael McMahon, Andrew Campbell, Dan Moore, Ian Montgomery, Michael Bingham, John Richardson and Wilf Elliott.

Martin Drain, John McCaffrey, Denis McInerney, Gary McNally, John Horan, Gary McCollum, Bobby Creaney, Gary Totton, Andrew Bann and Willy Grogan all finished with a score of 37 points.