Martin in the headlines again

Having stolen the limelight, and half the twos’ money, with a hole in one last Saturday, he scored a nett 64, off 19, to lift the July Medal at Lurgan.

He calmly plotted his way to a very welcome victory, a 29.5 back 9 putting him in front of 2 other players on nett 64.

Billy Hughes was just 2 over after 13 but then dropped four shots in four holes. This resulted in a nett 33 on the back 9 which was just enough to claim second place.

Michael O’Neill’s five bogeys on the back 9 left him with a homeward nett 33.5 and third place, off 13.

Level after four holes, his 7 pars and 7 bogeys over the last 14 evidenced consistency but ultimately left him just one shot short of victory.

After a run of relentless 0.1 handicap increases, Eugene Maguire will be delighted to have returned his best score of the year to take fourth place with a nett 65, off 14. One birdie and one double bogey were his only departures from pars and bogeys.

The day’s only subpar round was returned by Gary Clarke and he subsequently took the gross prize with a 69. Four birdies and three bogeys have reduced his handicap to 0.8 and ever closer to the magical scratch

Dermot Lavery opened each 9 with birdies and went on to lift Section One with a nett 66 off 10. Nigel Girvan took Section Two with a nett 66 off 18. His 2 birdies at 12 and 14 proved decisive as he lifted the section on the back 9 with a nett 31.

Ian Hamilton was the unlucky player to lose out. Having played himself into a winning position he dropped 9 shots over the last 6 holes to move from hero to zero. Section Three went to Sean McEvoy who has enjoyed three handicap reductions in a fortnight. His nett 68, off 19, was achieved despite a triple bogey at 13.

After lifting the Professional’s Prize a few weeks ago, Gregory Hogan added to his coffers with a hole in one at the second.