Open Week gets underway at Strabane
Thursday, 8 July 2010
The winner of the Blades Barbers competition at Strabane Golf Club, Garvan Godfrey, with the runner-up, John Tinney, and club captain, Seamus Friel. SU2727CC
STRABANE Golf Club's Open Week got underway on Saturday with the Haughey's Costcutters Stroke attracting a huge entry of well in excess of 200 players.
With the course in its usual immaculate condition, competition was fierce for the excellent prizes on offer. Indeed, almost 30 players equalled or bettered the par of 69.
Kevin Neeson produced the round of the day, holding his nerve on the final green to hole a winning 20 footer. His return of 64 nett gave him a one shot advantage over John Etherson who had the best of a number of scores of 65 nett. John J Duffy was on the same mark to claim third place, while Paddy Kennedy posted a tremendous one under 68 to top the gross category.
Category one went to Kieran O'Neill with a nett 67, Shaun McGonagle was best in category two with a 65 nett, with Francie Conwell's nett 66 gaining him the category three prize. The nines went to Enda McDonnell and Martin McDermott, with Letterkenny's Kevin McHugh taking the visitors' prize with a fine 68 nett.
The Frylite Open Teams competition on Sunday produced the following result: 1, Nigel Houston, Gerry Casey, Brian OíKane, Bernie O'Kane, 92 points; 2, Martin Corry, Kevin Connolly, Danny Glackin, F McGranaghan, 92; 3, Stephen McCay, Freddie Patterson, Frankie Houston, Neil McGlinchey, 90; 4, Martin Patton, Adrian Baldrick, Brian Cairns, Paul McConway, 88.
Newcomer Dermot Cairns claimed his first title on Monday, his excellent 40 points getting him home in the weekly open event ahead of James Callan and Gerard Bradley who finished second and third respectively.
Like the winner, they too posted scores of 40 points. John Wolfe of Bundoran GC topped the visitors' section with 33 points.
On Tuesday, the ladies' Member's Cup went to Mary Duffy with a fine round of 71 nett. Alison Curry carded a 74 nett to lead the way in the 0-24 category, with Donna Doherty first home in category 25-36 with a nett 72.
Mary Duffy carried that good form into Wednesday's mixed event when, in partnership with Cathal McLaughlin, she again dominated. Their tally of 37 points saw them comfortably home ahead of Patsy and Rosemary Wilson who returned a 33 point total. Pat and Maeve Corry were another point back in third place.
Thursday Open was sponsored by 'Blades Barber's'. Garvan Godfrey handled the difficult conditions best though it was a close-run thing for the top award. The first three home all posted 39 points, with Godfrey getting up ahead of Conal Cooke and John Tinney. Cooke deserves special mention, his level par round representing golf of the highest level. Enda Kennedy's one over par 70 assured him of the gross prize.
The ever-growing and highly talented junior section had their Junior Captain's Day on Friday. Much credit for the flourishing junior contingent must go to Kevin and Catherine Neeson who give a lot of their time to looking after the development of the youngsters. They are ably assisted this year by junior captains Ryan McGowan and Lisa Patton. In the boys' section of last Friday's competition, it was Caolan Crawford who emerged victorious with a winning score of 41 points. Taking the honours in the girls' section was Abbey Maxwell with a round of 32 points.
Other winners were: Boys' section: Category A, 1, Kevin Gallagher, 40 points; 2, Ronan Haughey, 39 points; Category B, 1, Ciaran Neeson, 32 points; 2, Kieran Walsh, 31 points.
Girls' section: Category A, 1, Ellen McCullagh, 24 points; Category B, 1, Eilish McCay, 25 points; 2, Aooife Potts, 21 points; visitors, 1, Kathy Elkin (Omagh), 32 points; 2, Susie Mellon (Omagh), 27 points.
Beginners, 1, Shonagh Forbes; 2, Maeve Bradley; 3, Emer Houston; 4, Rachel Ellis.
In representative golf, Tommy Forbes' Lawson Cup team progressed to the next round as they notched up a fairly comfortable victory over Killymoon. The performance of the week, however, came from the Donegal Senior Championship side who overcame a 5-2 deficit to make it through against North-West GC.
Trailing by that considerable margin after the away leg, there were many who doubted if Strabane could recover. But, in a nerve-jangling finale, they just about got over the line. Paddy Kennedy had a putt on the last green to seal victory, but through some inexplicable aberration he contrived to miss from a matter of inches.
That saw his match progress into extra holes and, while others might have wilted after that horror, Paddy stuck to his task and closed the match - and the tie - on the 21st hole.
Fixtures: tomorrow (Thursday), Munchies Open Singles Stableford; Friday, Open Greensomes; Saturday, Pat O'Neill Open Singles Stableford; Sunday, President's Mixed; Monday, Monday Open; Tuesday, Eileen Logue Memorial Cup (ladies); Wednesday, July 14, Mixed.
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