The top spot on Wednesday 2nd Open was competed for by two members who have really found their game in recent months but at the end it was Paddy Hannigan [8] who broke away from the chasing pack to return the winning score.
Despite a bogey start, Paddy recorded “three-in-a-row” birdies at 5th, 6th and 7th to record a one under par 35 gross and take 23pts onto the back nine where, with the help of another birdie at Barnhill, [16th], he returned a prizewinning two over par 74 gross total and 42pts stableford.
In runner-up spot, due to a three way B.O.T., was that other aforementioned form player Conor Mc Gettigan [10] who will definitely make single figures before this season ends! Playing steady handicap golf, Connor’s birdie at Hunter’s Home, the par three 13th, gave him an inward nine of 21pts to pip third placed Eamonn O’ Carroll [15] on that B.O.T.
Eamonn answered his bogey at the Hall Door [1st] with a birdie at 3rd for a 21pt outward nine also but lost out on the countback with an horrific triple bogey at the Bridal Path, the par five 18th.
Martin Sweeney, [centre]representing Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure, Letterkenny, presenting competition winner Enda Mannion with his prize. Also in picture is club Vice-Captain Ivan Fuery
Saturday 5th Open was sponsored by Zeus Industrial Products [Ire.] Ltd, Letterkenny and taking top honour here was cat 4. stalwart Garvin Mc Gahey [25]. With the new hole indexes now in play, Garvin’s “blank” at the Glebe [2nd] made little difference to his scorecard as a follow-up birdie at 3rd helped him to a 25pts front nine from where he “coasted” home down the Bridal Path [18th] for a 39pt. return.
In second place, albeit on a 6-way B.O.T., was another form player, Peter Muldoon [11] Â who returned a remarkable scorecard which included no less that four “blanks” and four birdies, the latter recorded at 7th, 10th, 13th & 14th for 38pts and relegate Tom Redden [21] to third place on the countback, Tom’s birdie at 18th being not enough to reverse the placings.
Despite feeling the nip in the late summer air, Sunday 6th confined competition was played in dry, bright conditions and reveling in that sunshine was Michael Boyd [19] who, with a birdie at 8th, took the turn at Cornagill [10th] with 20pts and recorded the same number on back nine for a 40pt total winning score and pip Michael Shiel Jnr. by a solitary point.
Michael also recorded 20pts on front nine but it was his last three hole finish that won him through on B.O.T. from Eddie Margey [12] whose birdie at Inishowen [5th] was quickly erased by a “blank” at the following hole, Hackett’s Best, and his 18pts on back nine left him just short.
With two outings left before the end of the Cat 4 Golfer of the Year winner is announced, it looks like a two horse race between the “dark outsider”, Aiden O’ Neill, and the fancied flat racer, Michael Mc Daid! The top ten is as follows: Aidan O Neill 85 pts; Michael McDaid 83 pts; Garvin Mc Gahey 64 pts; Columba Crawford 54 pts; Pat McGarrigle 53 pts; Jim O Sullivan 39 pts; Tom Wherity 39 pts;
Hugh Kelly 35 pts; Mark Carrigy 35 pts; Jack Mc Garrigle 30 pts; All Cat 4 members are reminded of the John J. Doherty Trophy to be played for on Sunday 27th September.
Congratulations to Kevin Kiely and his Seniors [over 50’s]team who came away from Rosapenna GC on Sunday last with two matches won. The second leg of this final will be played at Letterkenny GC, date tbc.
Diary Dates: Friday 11th will see the Naomh Colmcille GAA Classic with a 1pm tee-off, Saturday 26th will host the first outing of the 2015/16 season of the North-Western Golfing Alliance and Sunday 27th will host the Cat 4 John J. Doherty Memorial Trophy.
Competition prizewinner Seamus Patton receiving his prize from Letterkenny Golf Club Vice-Captain Ivan Fuery.Â
Tags: