McConaghy wins the stableford

SUNDAY’S golfers got the better deal weather-wise at Ballycastle over the weekend with Andrew McConaghy taking full advantage of the conditions by winning the section one stableford competition with an excellent score of 44 points.

Andrew, playing off seven, had birdies at the 12th, 14th and 17th holes on his way to a one-under par round and a one-shot winning margin. Mel Carleton, playing off five, was a winner of the turkey competition a couple of weeks ago but despite hitting six birdies in his two-under par round, had to settle for second place with a total of 43 points. A magnificent 23 point back nine helped Seamus Killough surge through the field to take third place with 40 points.

Ivor Torrens, playing off fourteen, was the section two competition winner on Sunday with 42 points. Ivor, runner-up in last weekend’s competition, failed to score at his first hole this weekend, but then proceeded to par the next seven holes in a row before rounding off a superb front nine recovery with a birdie at the ninth for 23 points!

John Morgan, runner-up to Patrick Campbell in last Wednesday’s competition, found himself in the runner-up spot once again after he returned a total of 41 points with Victor Young taking the third prize for his score of 40 points.

The early golfers on Saturday morning got well and truly drenched as a deluge of rain descended on the Ballycastle area. Thankfully, conditions improved as the day progressed and the competition went ahead as planned with Sean Brogan top scoring in section one with 40 points ahead of Shay Paul Duffin in second with 39 points and Seamus McMullan in third with 38 points.

Michael Campbell was the section two winner on Saturday with 40 points, ahead of Ronnie Mitchell courtesy of a better back nine score with Barney McCahery in third place with 39 points.

Michael Close and Derek Bell both deserve a special mention for their golf over the weekend. Michael recorded 39 points on Saturday and 40 points on Sunday but on both occasions he was unlucky to miss out on the third prize on back nine count-back.

Derek, one of the early starters on Saturday, had a memorable hole-in-one at the par three 10th but fortunately for the six gentleman who recorded two’s on Saturday, he was not in that competition!

The final of the Casement Cup match-play competition was completed during the week and Conor McGarry is this year’s winner with John McClelland the runner-up.

Congratulations go to both golfers for making it to the final and the presentation for this competition and for the other cups and trophies played throughout the season will take place in the clubhouse next Saturday 30th October at 10pm.