Tom teaches them a lesson in Saturday Stableford

Time is running out to get that handicap down or, in some cases, handicaps up.

The latest Saturday Stableford (October 2) threw up an interesting result.

The calculated standard scratch was nett 67 or 38 stableford points.

This was equalled by Colin Kennedy (12), Shane McCrory (12), Gareth McGregor (13), Paul Simpson (19), Malcolm Russell (9), Tommy Gillespie (13), Cecil Johnston (8), Ivan Rushe (13), Alex Clarke (12) and Patrick Magennis (17).

Damian Weir (5), Aidan Doran (16), Kenny Arlow (13), Neil Clydesdale (5) and Sydney Pepper (11) went one better, with 39 points each.

Damian and Neil both shot gross 71 and one of them will win the best gross prize.

The prize for the best senior could go to either Aidan Doran or Kenny Arlow, provided they meet the age criteria. If not, it could go to Sydney Pepper. Those decisions will be made shortly.

Eight players broke the 40 points barrier.

Alan McVey (7), Martin McAleenan (10), Keith Steenson (7) and Kerry McCluskey (11) all had 40 points. All four finished just outside the prizes.

Willie Dickson (18 now 17) was fourth with 41 points. Willie just missed out on a place on the Junior Cowdy team for the final. He may now forget all about the Junior Cowdy as his handicap is on the way down, big time.

Harry Carson (24) was third, also with 41 points. Everybody was delighted for Harry as he is a great supporter of the Saturday competitions. This score will do his confidence the world of good.

Philip Strong (20) was the runner-up with 42 points. He should have been a clear winner but he allowed a little tension to creep into his game over the closing holes. He dropped six shots over the final five holes. It was nevertheless a marvellous round of golf for Philip.

The winner, believe it or not, was Tom Fee (10 now 9) with a best-of- season 43 points. He came very close to shooting his age. Wouldn’t that have been something?

He finished with a three over par gross 72. The last time Tom beat that score in a competition at Banbridge was a gross 70 in the Haughton Smyth Cup qualifying back in April 2005.

Let’s hope that he doesn’t have to wait until 2015 for his next winning score.

To say that Tom was pleasantly surprised would be the understatement of the year.

Tony Ewbanks won two weeks ago and Tom Fee won this week. Are the veterans taking over? It certainly looks like it.