Matt finish takes all the gloss in RBL competition

His 46 points, off 18, was the clear winner of the ever popular Royal British Legion competition in one of the biggest turnouts of the year so far.

Such was the comfort of his victory that he could afford a closing double bogey and still win by two clear points.

Aodhan Scullion took second place with 44 points off 12 despite an NR at the short 8th. Birdies at 4, 10, 12 and 15 proved decisive, especially those on the back 9 as he only claimed the runners up spot over that stretch.

Birdies at 5, 6 and 10 helped Gregory Crawford move to level par after 11 holes before he went into red figures in most dramatic fashion with a brilliant hole in one at 12. His eventual 44 points off 7 gave him third prize on what was a most memorable and profitable day.

Junior Cowdy stalwart Gerard Marner took fourth prize with 43 points off 18. His birdies at 1, 2 and 12 were rather spoiled by double bogeys at 11, 15 and 16. This sees Gerard’s handicap continue to fall and members begin to wonder if he could become the first player ever to play for the Junior and Senior Cowdy in the same year.

David Sutton shot his second consecutive 65 at Lurgan to take the gross prize with 41 gross pts. Birdies at 1, 2, 4, 7, 15 and 18, and a single bogey at 13, made for what most golfers would consider a brilliant round but which for him must be almost run of the mill.

Chief among those fighting it out for the remaining generous prizes on offer were Richard Budd, 9, and Jason McCann, 4, both of whom had 40 points with Richard’s better back 9 just shading it.