Ryan makes an early mark with second win

Birdies at 4 and 15 were the highlights of a round which has set his handicap off on its long predicted plunge.

This was the first handicap qualifying competition of the year and while many players appeared to struggle with the longer course and more stringent playing conditions, three players breezed round in just 67 shots, 3 below par.

The first of them was Gareth Moore who took second place with 40 points off 1. He birdied no fewer than 7 holes, including the three par 5s, and equal halves of 20 points gave him the edge to claim the runners up spot.

Third place went to Peter Cummins, also with 40 points off 1. He reached the turn 3 under par thanks to birdies at 4, 6 and 8, and a level par back 9 meant 18 homeward points.

The gross prize went to David Sutton who was the third player to shoot a 67. A bogey at 3 and birdie at 4 were the only holes to vary from par until the 15th tee, and his birdies at 15, 16 and 18 provided the sort of finish any golfer would dream of.

Garfield Harrison took fourth place with 39 points off 7 thanks to birdies at 3, 9, 15 and 16.

The low section went to Peter Gordon with 39 points off 12. Peter played his normal steady, down the middle game, his only blemish being a double bogey at 16 which nudged him down the pecking order.

Conal Patterson, 4, and Brian Scullion, 5, each had 38 points to find themselves just out of the prizes.

Richard Dillon took the middle section with 37 points off 15 despite a triple bogey at 6. Tony Gordon made it a family double for section winners when he emulated brother Peter by taking the high section.

He had 37 points off 23 and might be slightly disappointed that his 3 nett eagles and 3 nett birdies were accompanied by NRs at 2 and 16.

Garfield Bell had his name pulled out of the hat for this week’s Joker Draw, but unfortunately the Joker Card was not turned. Tickets can be bought from bar or in the Pro Shop. Prize this week £1325.