Stephen’s 44 helps him to win charity competition

Club Captain Ritchie Gorman has named Action Cancer and the Alzheimer’s Society as his nominated charities and they are expected to benefit from around £2500 raised by the members and local businesses. The exact amount will be announced at a presentation of the cheques and prizes in the clubhouse on September 28.

The winner of this magnificent trophy is Stephen Johnston (11) with 44. It was his play in the back nine that helped take the prize when he scored a fantastic three birdies and four pars to give him 23. The birdies at the 11th and 13th were exceptional and the front nine wasn’t bad either with five pars and four single bogies.

Second place was taken by new member Peter Taylor (14) with an impressive 42. Peter also had a very steady round with no worse than a single bogie throughout. A birdie at par four fourth was the main highlight.

Third place was won by Raymond Rodgers (14) winning on the count-back after he and Andrew Smith (21) both finished on 40.

Other winners were as follows: Best Gross - Ivor Harron. Front Nine - Roy Waterworth. Back Nine - Darren McShane. Nearest the Pin (fifth) - Mark Neeson, (14th) Tommy Coulter. Longest drive - Craig Tiffen. Hidden Holes (par threes) high - Billy Irvine, low - Mark Toman.

The Club Matchplay has now reached the semi-final stages and the first player to reach the final is Alan Crockard after beating Mark Toman in a very closely fought match.

Mark was two up after the first two holes but by the sixth they were all square. Mark regained the initiative and went back to two up after 10 but by the time they reached the 14th Alan had pulled it back and went one up. Alan sowed it up on the last to win by two holes. His opponent in the final will be Chris Boyd after he beat hot favourite Tommy Coulter 2 and 1. Tommy also went two up after two but could not hold on to it. After the lead changed a few times it was Chris, with a 12 shot advantage over Tommy, who was holding lead when they reached the 17th. After a bad tee-shot he hit an eight iron to within four foot of the hole and with having the advantage of a shot, Tommy had no chance and lost 2 and 1.

Next week it’s back to a stroke competition and is sponsored by Emma McLaughlin of The Hair Parlour, Moira.