Joel produces an above-par display in Galgorm Castle competition

Enjoying the fine weather at Galgorm Castle Golf Club on Saturday were Paul Houston, Peter Houston, Michael Greer and Billy Cull. INBT 22-930H

McNeilly won with a better back six from Raymond Ardis (13) as both players finished 3 up.

In Division 1 David Bellingham (10) finished 2 up to take first place with Lyle Foster (7) 1 up and Mark Dunlop (5) also 1 up finishing together but with a better back nine, Foster finished second.

In Division 2 Joe McAuley (14) was 2 up after the front nine followed by Bryan Logan (12) who was 1 up and Peter Stewart (12) level par. Gareth Beckington (15), Michael Nesbitt (15) and Neil McVeigh (12) were one, two and three down respectively at that stage.

Through 13, Stewart had taken a two hole advantage over Logan who was level par. McVeigh was improving and was 1 down followed by Nesbitt and Beckington 2 down. McAuley after losing four holes consecutively to par was also 2 down.

With two to play Logan was 2 up with Stewart 1 up. McVeigh, Nesbitt and McAuley were 1 down followed by Beckington another hole down.

Logan came home bogey, par to win with Stewart (par, ‘ding’) 1 up in second place. At the turn in Division 3 Damian Gillan (16) was 4 up and held a commanding lead from Aidan Donnelly (17) and Graham Simms (17) who were on par with Andrew Moore (17) 2 down.

Gillan went 5 up with a par at ten but then disaster struck as he ‘dinged’ 11 and 13 and in between bogeyed 12 to leave him 2 up after the Maple. Donnelly, Simms and Moore were on level par.

Through 16, the lead had changed with Moore and Donnelly vying for the lead 2 up followed closely by Gillan and Simms 1 up.

In a very close and exciting finish all four players finished 2 up and with a better back nine Moore claimed first place with Donnelly (better back three) second, and Simms (better back nine) in third place.

Division 4 saw a close finish between Ciaran Doherty (22), Kevin Duffin (26), William Kennedy (23) and Jack Douglas (21).

Doherty finished 2 up to win by one hole from Douglas, Duffin and Kennedy. Douglas won the Seniors Prize.

The Gross Prize was won by Philip Graham (-1) 1 up.

GIRLS’ COACHING PROGRAMME

Junior Golf Ireland is running a coaching programme for girls aged 8-16 at Galgorm Castle over the summer months.

The event runs on June 19 and 26 and July 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Cost is £30 per child and includes six one-hour coaching sessions and a Junior Golf Ireland coaching manual. Clubs will be provided and there is no dress code.

For further information contact Galgorm Castle Golf Club on 2564 6161 or e-mail [email protected]