Robin is the winner of the annual PGA Tankard to qualify for the area finals

The Annual PGA Tankard Qualifying Competition was played at Lisburn Golf Club last week-end in very pleasant playing conditions.
Robin McCoosh, George McMullan, John Dale and Bob Patterson at Lisburn Golf Club.  US1330-506cdRobin McCoosh, George McMullan, John Dale and Bob Patterson at Lisburn Golf Club.  US1330-506cd
Robin McCoosh, George McMullan, John Dale and Bob Patterson at Lisburn Golf Club. US1330-506cd

Despite the attraction of “The Open” on television, 238 members competed, 30 of whom managed to play inside their handicap and 16 succeeded in achieving a playing handicap reduction.

Robin McCoosh (13) had an excellent round starting and finishing with birdies, his only 6 being at the 17th hole. His net score of 64 was enough to give him first prize and qualification for the area finals in the autumn. Second place was hotly contested between Michael Leathem (5) and Patrick Kelly (19), each scoring a net 66. Michael had 4 birdies in his round, three of them coming in a flawless back nine of 33 strokes. His gross 71 was the best gross round of the day and the net 30 on the back 9 holes gave him second prize over Patrick who himself had a net 31 over the back 9. Missing out on the prizes were Michael McCaughan (8) and John Adgey (6) both on 67 net. The best gross prize went to Ryan Symington (+1) who had 72 strokes, one better than John Adgey.

In the mid-week stableford competition, it was a case of father v son battling for the honours. Mervyn Law (14) on 42 points took 1st prize ahead of his son, Gregory Law (12) on 41 points. The third prize was secured by John Henry (21) whose 13 points on the last 6 holes were enough to fend off Stuart Campbell (5) who went round in one over par. Lisburn’s Sam Rutherford Team played the first leg of their third round match against Spa Golf Club at Spa last Saturday afternoon. The pairings of Gary Campbell & David Armstrong and Neil Law & Randal Kernaghan each lost by 5 holes whilst Chris Budd & Mark Armstrong won their match by 2 holes. The most successful Lisburn combination was the pairing of George Stephens & Adam McKendry who won by 4 holes. This leaves Lisburn trailing by 4 holes going into the home leg. The return leg is scheduled for this coming weekend when team captain Ken Haslem will be asking his players to overturn the 4 hole deficit.

Meanwhile, junior golf at Lisburn has been steadily improving over the past few years with several having handicaps in single figures. Adam McKendry (6) and Junior Captain Mark Bailie (8) bring the total to seven, alongside the five junior players who recently enjoyed success.

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