Gordon's tonic at Raceview

The 17-handicapper returned 43 stableford points - one ahead of his nearest rival - with a second nine hole total of 23 proving an insurance for Gordon.

Having dropped four shots on the first six holes, he then parred the seventh and eighth, only to drop two shots on the ninth, yet still emerged with 20 points for the opening nine holes.

Into the back nine with a par and two bogeys, he then birdied the 13th and the final five holes resulted in three single bogeys plus two pars for those 23 points.

Second place went to William Russell (15), who had equal nines of 21 points. The outward nine amounted to four pars, three single bogeys plus a double bogey on the second, but a birdie three on the fifth was worth four points.

Into the inward nine with a par and two bogeys, William completed his round with three bogeys plus a trio of pars for an additional 21 and his total of 42 pipped David Mulholland on the last three holes and Gordon Mairs on the second nine.

Category one was won by five-handicapper David Smith with a total of 39 points. His opening nine holes contained single points on the second and fifth but a birdie on the eighth was worth four points and he went to the 10th tee with 19 points in the bag.

The closing nine was somewhat better as he had birdies on the 10th, 15th and 16th which were worth 10 points, against which he dropped shots on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 18th but he still managed 20 points.

David Mulholland (13) had the best score of 42 points to win category two, again with equal nines of 21 points.

An opening nine of six pars plus a dropped shot on the third, fourth and ninth put him in good shape for the second nine, where he again had six pars, along with two bogeys and a double bogey.

Category three was won by Gordon Mairs (15), again with 42 points, 22 of which came on a front nine which included seven pars. He started the back nine with a par and followed it with seven single boys, while a birdie three at the last provided a bonus of a four-point haul.

The final category was won by Jim Warwick (21) who totalled 40 points, of which 22 came on the back nine, where his final six holes produced two single bogeys and four solid pars.

Geoff Stewart returned the best gross card with a one under gross, which included 13 pars and three birdies.

SIMPSON MAKES 'MARK'

The Wednesday open stableford was won by 11-handicapper Mark Simpson with a total of 40 points, having been four over on the outward nine for 19 points.

The inward nine saw him drop only three shots to par for an additional 21 points, and a single point win from Clifford Worthington.

Playing off 14, Clifford registered 18 points on the front nine but played the back nine in three under his handicap for 21 points and 38 overall. A point further back was Donald Smyth (16).

The best gross score was posted by David Smith (5) who toured the course in five over.

WHAT’S ON

Saturday past saw the Bill Rainey v par competition, sponsored by Turtles of Rathkenny, who also backed on open stableford on Sunday. There is also an open stableford this Wednesday, April 28.

LADIES

Jill Black, Evelyn Allen and Barbara Totten will represent Ballymena Golf Club in the regional final of the Peggy Nelson (Stableford) event after winning their respective sections at Raceview last Tuesday.

Jill Black (21 points) edged out Denise Harper, courtesy of a better back nine, in Section A, Evelyn Allen won Section B with 36, while Barbara Totten completed the qualifying line-up with a superb haul of 44 points in Section C.

The regional final will be held at Dundonald Golf Club on July 29.

Today's (Tuesday) ladies’ competition is the Gentlemen's Cup (Stroke).