Locals miss out

Team captain, Dominic Quinn, was not as confident as usual. He anticipated a little more interest from members in making this team. But he still expected to make one of the four qualifying spots.

It would take a score of 343 to be certain of qualification. That’s three 86’s and

an 85. It looks easy on paper.

Fergie Cosgrove and Joe Glass opened wit a superb 84.

Dr. William McCandless and Timothy Beattie were well pleased with their 85.

Dermot Dawson and Kerry McCluskey battled bravely for an 86.

That was a brilliant start. All that was needed now was an 88. There were two pairs remaining and surely one of them would come good. Not so!

Danny O’Boyle and Gary McCartney had a bit of rotten luck here and there and they finished with an 89.

And the two most experienced Pierce Purcell players, Hugh Dunne and Paul McDonald, had an horrific round. They totalled 90 shots and, as luck would have it, their score would decide the fate of Banbridge.

Kilkeel led the qualifiers with a four-card total of 336. Clover Hill were second with 340. Ardglass were third with 342.

Now the fun started. Big rivals, Warrenpoint and Banbridge, were tied on 344. Only one place was left and the fifth card would decide. A 90 from Banbridge was not good enough so Warrenpoint went through.

It was a bitter pill to swallow but that’s golf for you.