What can we say about the weather, it’s been great, not a thing to complain about and the course is looking great too….so more of the same please!
Here comes Jonny!.. Yes the big talking point of the the weekend is the round of 68 from Jonny Hewitt which beats the previous course record held by Keith Johnston by 1 stroke. Keith’s record had a good run and stood for a number of years. I talked to Jonny’s mates in his four ball (a rough bunch…), they said it was like watching perfect golf, yet it could have been so much better if the putts had dropped for him, five or six putts going over the edge of the hole, still I’m sure Jonny will be more than happy with the outcome. Well done Jonathan Hewitt, it was always a matter of time, with your consistently high standard of play finally paying the dividends due to you. I have no doubt you have better scores to come!
Saturday’s competition was the Hoggs Bar stableford event, always a popular competition with a good turnout. The course was set up a little shorter than previous weeks, hole 9 is very long from the very back tees, but the lower tee box was used, which gives us average drivers of a ball a better chance of attaining some points. The winner of Hoggs Bar stableford competition was Jim Cunningham with an excellent 45 points, unfortunately Jim has just lost 3 shots off his handicap, but when you can play that well the reduction in handicap is inevitable, well done Jim! David Kelly came in with 43 points…. I’m sure David was thinking about 1st prize with a score like that, unlucky but a good 2nd place finish all same. Third place goes to Jackson Ruddoch after scoring 42 points, it looks like Jackson is just coming into a bit of form! The best gross score was our course record holder Jonathan Hewitt with his remarkable round of 68, just superb mate! Section winners were Alan Magill 0-12, Noel Hegarty 13-18, Neville Cornett 19+, front 9 Robert Treanor, back 9 Evan Simpson and the best senior score was that of Davy Coote. There were 5 two’s recorded with Alan Magill having a brace. Well done to all those in the prizes better luck next time for us also rans!
The Weekly Challenge sponsored by Murder Mystery NI was won by Davy McRoberts with 41 points, that’s a definite cut for Davy and I’ m sure he will be over the moon with that score and h.cap reduction. Spencer Lawson took 2nd place with 38 points with Alan Magill a little further behind with 35 points. Roy Holmes had the best gross score.
The Junior 18 hole competition was won by Ben Currie again with another great score of 46 points and subsequently cut 2 shots down to 21, well done Rory…Oops sorry I meant Ben! James McCammon and Sam Rainey had 34 and 33 points respectively…. well done lads!
John Currie’s Ulster 4ball team played 2nd leg tie with Down Royal GC which turned out to be an extremely close run thing. Once both legs were played the difference overall was 1 hole, unfortunately it was our Loughgall team that lost out. We had a good run in the competition but put out by the smallest of margins, very unlucky fellas! John Currie wishes to thank all the players that played in the Ulster 4ball teams throughout their campaign and has nothing but respect and gratitude for each and everyone who contributed, better luck next year lads! Good luck to Down Royal!
Please make the effort to get any singles or doubles matches played on time, it’s getting to holiday season so don’t get caught out, contact your opponents and get the match played.
Another reminder to be a little more considerate where you place the rake at bunkers, rake in the bunker with the end of the handle on the side edge of the bunker works well and causes least hindrance to those who follow and that might be you! If you are walking past a bunker and see the rake badly positioned, take a moment and correct it….I’m fed up of being one of very few people that bothers. Thanks for your consideration.
Good luck and enjoy your golf!