Michael wins Clarke Charity trophy

THE game of golf is unique in that the handicap system is designed to give every competitor an even chance of winning.

It’s not just simply a case of who is the fastest or who is the strongest.

Take, for example, the Darren Clarke Multiple Sclerosis Charity Competition at Banbridge Golf Club on Saturday April 17.

Over 220 local golfers teed it up, all hoping for success. As it transpired, the handicaps of the first six players were 24, 9, 11, 15, 19 and 5. That certainly covers a very wide range of ability.

The winner was the very popular bar manager at the club, Michael Brown. He played very steady and used his 24 shots very smartly. Michael finished with 43 stableford points, the equivalent of a nett 62.

Young Callum McCandless (9) was the runner-up with 41 points. Callum has been cut to eight handicap and he will not be satisfied until he is as low as his father, Bill. He has a bit to go yet but he is heading in the right direction.

Ronnie Halliday (11) was third, also with 41 points. Ronnie is a key member of the Ulster Cup team and his current form will certainly please the team’s stand-in captain, Brian Mulholland.

Seamus McGrath (15) took the fourth nett prize with yet another 41 points. Seamus is enjoying a nice little run of good form. Let’s hope that he can hold on to it.

Evergreen Albert Morrison (19) won the prize for the best senior player and he too had 41 points. Albert, like Seamus, is in the middle of a purple patch and his collection of prize vouchers is growing day by day.

The final prize, that for the best gross, went to last season’s golfer of the year, Stuart Hunter. He went round in level par 69 and he beat Rory Leonard on countback.

There are always a number of hard luck stories and this competition was no different.

Seamus Rooney (5), Norman Doak (17), Harry Carson (24), Paddy Malcolmson (17) and Declan Barry (9) all finished with 40 points.

Breaking the standard scratch is always something to boast about. It was calculated as nett 67 or 38 points for the Darren Clarke competition. The following eleven players broke it by one shot, all finishing with 39 points: Roy McAfee, Timothy Beattie, Hugh Dunne, Paul Magennis, Sherwin Curran, Eugene Weir, Harry Shannon, Chris McAvoy, Shane Crossan, Vaughan Lamont and Mervyn Waddell.

But the man of the moment is Michael Brown. He will represent the club in the grand final later in the season. If you are at the bar and you see Michael, don’t forget to congratulate him. This is the highlight of his career so far. Great stuff!