Historic day for Strabane Golf Club

AS Sundays go, they don’t get much better in Irish golfing circles than at Strabane Golf Club on Sunday last, when local golfers made their own piece of history, winning two Ulster titles and an Ulster North title in their respective finals.

First up was Shane McLaughlin’s Ulster Cup team who took on Ormeau Golf Club, Belfast, in their decider with three of the singles matches to be played at home and four to be decided away.

With the tee-off at 12 noon at both venues, the matches in Belfast were all close apart from two and thankfully Declan Devine was in sparkling form and duly closed out his match five and four, to get a point on the board.

At home, Manu Sharma was a comfortable seven and six victor and when Stephen Donaghey got over the line at the 16th hole the final result looked likely to be decided on the last game which went to the final hole, where Marc Brolly played a majestic four iron shot to the heart of the green from 240 yards out leaving two putts to secure the win and he duly obliged winning 1up.

With the Ulster Cup North title in the bag, the team will now play the winners of Donaghadee or Portadown on September 17 at Spa Golf Club to decide the destination of this year’s Ulster Cup.

The Ulster finals day involving Peter Doherty’s Junior Cup team and Paddy O’Kane’s Peirce Purcell team had been moved from Letterkenny Golf Club to Allen Park Golf Club in Antrim at fairly late notice leaving practice rounds much more difficult to arrange.

Nevertheless, a big performance was going to be needed from both teams at the very long Co Antrim venue which was in great condition for all four finals played on the day.

The Junior Cup team were first away in the five-match encounter led of by Patrick McCrossan who led narrowly from the start to close out a two up win at the 18th hole.

Kevin Gallagher too had a great start and was never behind in his three and two win, Wils Patterson in the third match trailed early on but battled back bravely to earn a share of the spoils.

The match did not have to go to extra holes with Aidan Boyle going down narrowly two and one and Cathal Patton who was always in charge of his game took the necessary point with a convincing five and three margin to great celebrations from the caddies and travelling supporters.

It's off to Greenore Golf Club, Co Louth, this Saturday where Strabane will take on Donabate Golf Club from Leinster/North in the All Ireland quarter finals at 10am.

Paddy O’Kane’s Pierce Purcell team were the final match out on the day in the afternoon playing Ballymena Golf Club and it’s fair to say that early indications did not look great for the local team.

After 10 holes they trailed in three of the matches and were nip and tuck in the other two, as word filtered through on the Junior Cup victory things started to look more positive and within four holes the situation had improved decidedly.

The top match saw John McCallion and Michael McElwee trail by two holes after 12 but they put afterburners on and ran out two up winners at the 18th hole.

Kevin Patterson and Ryan O’Kane had led and then been level but they too finished strongly to record a two and one win. Senan Roarty and Jas O’Reilly in match three battled back from three down to lead one up through 14 holes but saw the match slip away on the 18th green one down.

Match four again was extremely tight and had the Strabane pair of Gary Henderson and Eamonn Dudgeon, one up at the last hole, but this match was called in when at the 17th hole Kevin Neeson holed a fine 12ft putt to take the vital point two and one with his partner Mark Gillespie to another tumultuous roar from the supporters and Junior Cup team who had stayed on in support.

A club spokesperson said: "Congratulations to everyone on making it a very memorable day for the club."

The team will now play Westmanstown Golf Club at Northwest Golf Club also on Saturday with a 10.45am tee-off time.

All support will be very much appreciated.