Regional final for Portstewart's Junior Cup team

PORTSTEWART Golf Club's Junior Cup team won a place in the regional final with an extra time victory over Dunmurry Golf Club at Galgorm Castle on Wednesday.

Frontman Chris Barber led the line again and produced another strong performance, running out a 3 & 2 winner. Neil Vallelly, one down playing the 18th, saw his chance of a half point disappear into the trees to balance the tie at one all.

A confident round from Keith Walls, backed up by his brother Geoff as bagman, gave Portstewart another point with his 5 & 3 win.

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However, the Dunmurry men were not going out without a fight, and with Paul Holmes suffering round the greens, levelled the tie with a 3 & 2 win.

Two all and only one match remaining. Paul Cooley looked relaxed even though he went four down after six and this confidence showed as he clawed his way back into the game, arriving at the 18th tee one up.

A half would have been enough but Paul’s well struck drive drifted right into a tree lined water hazard. After the required penalty drop he saw his putt for a chance of the necessary half lip out and it was off to the first tee for sudden death finale. Both had good drives but the unfortunate Dunmurry man found sand close to the green and could only muster a six, leaving Paul with two putts to win, and win he did.

Shandon Park is the venue for the regional final on 15th August with a 1.50pm tee-off. The opposition will be Cairndhu or Banbridge Golf Clubs.

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At stake will be a place in the National Finals which are to be played at Castlebar Golf Club from 15th -18th September. The last time Portstewart were finalists was in 2004 when they lost out to Lucan Golf Club.