Ladies triumph in Clooney Hall classic

By the close of play it was the ladies team of Naoimh Quigg, Vivienne Houston, Ciara Quigg and Gerda Laird who stood victorious with a superb 96 points total.

The secret of their success was a blend of steady and spectacular play with no fewer than 8 birdies being recorded by the ladies as they came down the stretch.

In second place with a credible 93 point total - usually more than enough to seal a victory in this format of competition - was the team of Club President Alan Montgomery who was ably helped by Colm Murphy, Jim McGeady and Edgar Walker.

The triumph of the ladies on the day was cemented by the membership of the third place team when Amy Chambers, Rachel Chambers, Cheryl Chambers stormed home with 91 points. On this occasion John Chambers does claim that his contribution was the bedrock of the team's performance.

The Sunday competition at Prehen was the long-awaited Rathowen Cup. Played as a mixed competition there is always a lot at stake as members vie for a year's bragging rights! For 2010 these will belong to the men who took all the available prizes on the day.

In very windy conditions and with greens as slick as any seen in recent years the ladies' challenge was simply blown away as the day's performances were dominated by low and middle handicap players.

James Kelly (4) proved the best of the bunch with a superb 43 points which also earned him the kudos of having the best gross score of the day. James opened with a brilliant 21 points over the difficult front nine before storming home in an amazing 22 points.

Kevin Doherty (14) did everything in his power to catch the winner but his 39 points was only rewarded with second place. John O'Doherty (14) built on recent good performances to take third spot on 38 points while the steady Graham Hepburn (5) saw his 37 point tally good enough for fourth place.

The visitor who coped best in the wind was Foyle's Donal Hasson (4) with a 34 point tally. Competitions continue this week with the Wednesday Draw Competition, the Thursday Open, The Samaritans Open on Saturday and the Terence Bell Memorial Salver Open on Sunday. As usual times can be booked online at www.cityofderrygolfclub.com or by phoning Sam Smallwoods on 71311496.

While who would bet against Tommy McBride (5) this type of form? With a recent minor place under his belt in the Thursday Open the Greencastle member was spurred to victory his occasion with a fine 39 point total.

For all his steady place it required a better back nine holes for Tommy to see off the challenge of Sean McCaul (17) who 39 points took second spot from Foyle's Paul McGuigan (3) also on 39 points and Stephen Anderson (10) who also had the magic score of the day. Only slight variations in performance over the closing holes separated the players in the winners' enclosure.

The Thursday Open season comes to a close tomorrow (Thursday), so visitors should grab a lst opportunity to take part by booking online at www.cityofderrygolfclub.com or ringing Sam Smallwoods on 71311496.

Last Wednesday saw the launch of a new competition at City of Derry with the first WDC - Wednesday Draw Competition!

With the October Draw date looming members and visitors are being offered the opportunity to play for a Draw Ticket valued at 90. The draw takes place at the Halloween Ball on October 31 and with 36,000 in prizes on offer it is proving a great success.

As an added bonus every ticket entitles the holder to claim two free rounds of golf on the Prehen Course! For the WDC every 30 competitors results in a single draw ticket prize.

On 1.9.10 that prize went to the indomitable local radio presenter Sean Coyle (18) with a fine score of 40 points. This competition continues until October 27, but if you are not lucky enough to win a ticket you can always buy one from the office at City of Derry Golf Club. Just call Janine on 71236369 or see the website for full prize details.