Two point victory for Ciaran in cup

The good dry weather prevailed for this annual stableford competition. On many holes golfers had to contend with blustery conditions. However some 25 golfers contrived to post under par returns on the day. Just over eleven per cent of the 218 strong field found themselves with returns of 37 points or better.

Ciaran McSherry registered the best return of 42 points and he duly walked away with the trophy. This ten handicapper played quite competently on both sides of the course. His opening nine comprised six pars to go along with bogeys on holes three, seven and eight. On the back nine birdies on holes twelve and seventeen were most welcome. He supplemented them with a quartet of pars at holes ten, fourteen, sixteen and eighteen. This finely tuned play earned him the principal prize on the day.

Michael McCooe was runner-up with his effort of 40 points. This 18 handicap golfer played steadily over the eighteen holes. He had nothing worse on his card than a pair of double bogeys on holes nine and fifteen. Pars at holes three, four, five and eight provided the early stability. On the crucial back nine pars came his way at holes thirteen, fourteen, seventeen and eighteen.

Third net on the day went to Brian Clarke. This 11 handicapper took the honours with his tally of 40 points. His day began with a trio of pars. He closed the front nine with a birdie and a par. Back to back pars got his back nine proceedings in motion. A birdie on thirteen and a par at the next hole kept the momentum ongoing. He concluded his round with two pars to accrue the last major net award.

The gross award went to two handicapper Chris Watt. This student member had a wonderful six birdies on his card and also five bogeys. Holes one, four, ten, fourteen, sixteen and eighteen yielded the birdies whilst he accrued bogeys on holes two, five, seven, thirteen and seventeen. Pars on the remainder of the holes helped him to accumulate this winning gross of 37 points.

Seven handicapper Peter Devlin scooped the low section with his three under par return of 39 points. Peter struggled over the front nine and dropped five strokes on four holes. Thankfully pars came his way on the remaining four holes. His form on the back nine was a revelation. It comprised eight pars and concluded with a birdie four on the eighteenth. This rousing play secured him the divisional award. A very creditable 18 players in this category brought in under par scores.

In the middle section vice-captain Sean Wilson emerged victorious with another return of 39 points. This 15 handicapper was quite competitive through nine holes with pars at holes one, five, seven and nine. In spite of a couple of double bogeys his back nine play was much superior. A birdie on the sixteenth and pars at holes eleven, twelve, seventeen and eighteen paved the way for this winning effort. In this category only five players were under par.

Finally in the high section Maurice Turnbull came up trumps with a score of 38 points. Over the round this 23 handicapper was best served by a birdie on the twelfth and pars at holes two, eight and seventeen. However triple bogeys on holes seven and fourteen denied him a possible higher position on the podium. In this group only two golfers were under the par of 36 points.

The other competitive scoring was achieved by the following:

39pts: Anthony Gallery, Shane Magee, Bryan Turkington.

38pts: Roy Hanna Jnr, Paul McCabrey, Gary Clarke, Garfield Bell, John Hartnett, Jason McCann, Eamon McCausland.

37pts: Andy Wilson, Martin McAvoy, Mark O’Neill, Billy Bateman, Mickey Horan, John McCaffrey, David Herron, Michael McHugh.