Richard emerges victorious at Gracehill

AT a sun-drenced Gracehill the golfers soaked up the bright conditions with some great scores in the weekend's competitions.

On Saturday it was Richard Bell who took advantage of drier conditions to throw off his disappointment at missing out on a place on the N.I. Commonwealth Games Freestyle Diving Team in Dehli.

Instead he was consoled by making a splash in the Sweep where he dug deep to record a fine victory with 41 points leaving Paul Sayers in his wake in second place.

Leslie McAuley had a great round also to win the gross prize also on 40 points while Neil Greer made sure of 3rd spot with 38 from Shane Bell on countback.

In Div 2 some very high scoring saw Stuart Gowland continue his fine form and come face to face with the Handicap Secretary's blades with a 43 point total, one clear of Tommy Dykes.

Lee Munnis was two back in third from two golfers, Gilmour Harkness and Kenny Dunlop on 39 points. Plenty of twos, nine in total, five of which came at Fuschia Island came from B. Beggs, P. Bell, S. Bell, A. Bustard, G. Harkness, T. Kane, C. McNeill, K. Morrison and J. Sloan.

On Sunday the late summer conditions inspired some great scoring as Ivor Simpson showed his mettle with a scorching 44 point total forcing his fellow 19 handicapper Robert Keers into second on countback calculations only.

The pair showed the rest of the field a clean pair of heels as Gareth Elliott came in third five points shy of runner up place. John Dobbin was pushed into 4th on countback while Lee Baird was one back on 38 for 5th spot.

Again there were 9 twos Cameron Horner grabbing two- the others went to G. Byres, P. Cronin, J. Dobbin, N. Greer, G. Horner, R. McKinney and I. Morrison.

Members are reminded that Presentation night is 30th October and a list of all Winners will be in the press prior to the Main Event.