Seamus to the fore to lift the Captain’s prize at Lurgan

Good weather, beautiful course, large numbers, good golf with almost a quarter of the field equalling or bettering CSS, wonderful atmosphere, novel prizes and dozens, if not hundreds, of hard luck stories.

Even the winner will have a tale of the one that got away, but Seamus Cushley will not dwell too long on that as he lifted this year’s Captain’s prize with a nett 63, off 15.

A great round of 78, with 8 bogeys and 10 pars, elevates him to the same status as playing partner Jim McCann who can also boast of a previous Captain’s Day victory.

Martin McCooe almost completed the first leg of an unusual double as a victory here would have seen him host next year’s Captain’s Day as defending champion. In the end he had to settle for the runners up spot with a nett 64, off 19, with birdies at 3 and 10, but will not be in the least disappointed.

Rory Brady followed a poor round the previous week with his best of the year to take third place with nett 65 off 14, and no doubt he will be able to tell a few of those hard luck stories.

Philip Shaw hasn’t had many opportunities for golf this season but what few he has have displayed all of the famous Shaw magic. Six birdies and one bogey meant a brilliant round of 65 to take the day’s gross prize to add to this family’s amazing collection.

His father Mervyn backed him up superbly with a nett 67, off 9, and with the ever steady Laurence McGrady in support, this trio won the day’s team prize with 100 points. Just behind them came Damian Murphy, Stephen Loughran, John Hartnett and Tim Jenks.

Some 25 years after setting the course record, Tim Cummins was among the prizes again when he took Section 1 with a gross 70, nett 65.

Section 2 went to the very consistent Paul Mooney with a nett 65 off 14, and the equally consistent Roy Bratchie with a nett 67.

Frank Murray took the Seniors’ Prize with a nett 66 off 16, while Paddy Meehan, 12, and Club President Dan McCool, 14, also returned nett 66 to take the Council and Past Captains’ prizes respectively. The Intermediate Prize went to Michael McSherry with a gross 69, nett 66.

Nearest the Captain’s Drive went to Martin McKinstry and Nathan McCann took the Longest Drive prize. Peter Cummins had a nice double when he took Nearest the Pin at both the 8th and 17th holes, and Matthew Smyth won the Visitors’ Prize with 38pts.

The Ladies’s prize had been won during the week by Anette Kilbinger with 42pts, Niamh McSherry winning the gross. The traditional Ladies putting prize went to Lynn Hanna.

Captain Ian Cousins thanked the many people who had worked to make the day such a success and many thanks are due to him for his hard work and which made the day so enjoyable for all.