Noel Conn Accountants Stableford Competition throws up some excellent scores!
The weather for the weekend was dramatically split, Saturday was great shirt sleeve summer conditions followed by Sunday which needed at least one jumper or a jacket to keep in the warmth, a difference of 10 degrees or more. Enough of the weather lets review the golf, the competition was a stableford event kindly sponsored by Noel Conn Accountants, we had another great turnout with some excellent scoring involved.
Maybe it was the bright sunshine, but there were times during the competition when you may have snatched a fleeting glimpse of a golfer from yesteryear, just through the trees or on another fairway. I dont know if it was the wide brimmed straw hat that people picked up on, or the swing, maybe his general demeanour but there was something which caught the eye that was familiar? I will put you out of your misery, it was probably Barry Rayner you were watching, he is very familiar and is sometimes seen braving the wide brimmed hat on a hot sunny day and Saturday proved to be a very hot day for Barry. A round of 77 playing off his 14 handicap got him 45 points and 1st place it also got him cut 2 shots, I know Barry very well and I can say with some certainty that he would be quite happy to be cut if he could play more rounds of golf in the 70s, well done Barry.
That was only part of the story, young Anthony McElmeel came in with 44 points off his 21 h.cap and I`m sure anyone would be thinking ….44 points, I think I may have this one in the bag and more often than not you would, very unlucky not to win but an excellent score and a good 2nd place. There is more, Willie Youngs 43 points only got him 3rd, a great score for third place Willie! Closely following Willie was James Cunningham with a superb 42 points for 4th place.
The best Gross score goes to Johnnie McNabb, well done mate. Best juvenile score goes to Fionntan Nixon with 39 points, good scoring Fionntan.
Section winners; 0-12 Stephen Mullen, 13-18 Matthew Bown, 19-28 Kenny Mitchell, front 9 goes to Stephen Crowe and back 9 to Brian Teague.
There were eight 2s and they were by Stephen Crowe, Joel Kennedy, Rab Mawhinney, Stephen Mullen, Eugene Scullion, Aaron Agg, Robert Treanor and last but not least Walter Beattie.
Please check the notice board for handicap changes, there are 13 players with a change this week.
Our long standing foursome pairs champions were put out of the Daily Mail sponsored event this week by a pairing from Shandon Park, so well done to Richard Wright & Joel Kennedy for your past efforts, I know up until recent defeats you were on an unbeaten run of 18 wins, thats a tremendous record to have and will be a long time before its bettered.
Another feat that has been brought to my attention, Kevin Keegan achieved a hole in one at the 13th hole on 19th May whilst playing the foursomes competition. Very well done Kevin, I dont know if you have had one before but it is one of those moments you will always remember, most golfers go through their career never ever having a hole in one, its a very special thing and you can say you have done it, just brilliant mate!
The next competition will be the Saltmarine sponsored strokeplay event.
I would just like to pass on the word of most of the golfers I am speaking to and everyone seems to be praising the condition of the course. So… many thanks to the staff at Loughgall Country Park, ground staff, the rangers and the girls in reception who are so important to the smooth running of the course, you are appreciated!
Well done to all those in the prizes and better luck in next weeks competition for everyone else.
Remember we have Sunday and Wednesday sweeps for you to enter and sharpen up your game, you cannot beat regular competition to improve your golf! Sunday sweep must be entered into the computer before playing your round just like we do on Saturday.
Enjoy your Golf!