Letterkenny Golf Notes
With the Cat 4. “Player of the Year” award as wide open as ever, competition is beginning to hot up and none burning the course more than Victor Byrne [22] returning a massive 25pts over 11 holes.
In runner-up spot was this year’s “wild card” Liam Rogers [26] just one point adrift on 24pts.
Bank Holiday Tuesday 5th August saw the Juniors competing for their biggest prize of the year, Caolan Friel’s Junior Captain’s Prize. Taking this much sought after trophy was Dylan Mc Croary [25], with a gross 90 shots giving him a nett score of 65 with the equivalent of 24pts on back nine. In runner-up spot was Evan Dunleavy [26] with gross 94, nett 68 and 23pts scored on front nine. In third place was Ronan Daly [25] with gross 95, nett 70, best gross was won by Caolan Friel, playing off 13 handicap and returning a gross score of 81 shots while the cat 4. Prize was won by James Tourish [28] with nett 72.
Wed. 6th Aug. Open competition, sponsored by E.M.C. Construction, saw the beginning of the “bad weather” week that saw flooding in Letterkenny, but Barnhill still played host to over one hundred entrants, with congratulations offered to the groundstaff for the coure being in such immacculate condition. Taking first prize on this occasion was Paul Doherty [24] who, with the help of a birdie at 3rd hole, recorded 24pts on outward nine on his way to an overall winning score of 43pts.
In second place was the ever present Hugo Daly [21], continuing his good form of last year. Hugo recovered from a disappointing double bogey at 6th to record a birdie at 7th and a front nine of 23pts on his way to an overall 42pts. In third place was the soon-to-be single figure member Conor Mc Gettigan [13], an integral part of the club’s Pierce Purcell team. With birdies at 5th and 10th, Conor managed the back nine in 39 shots gross to accumulate 21pts and a 41pt. return. In fourth place by virtue of BOT was Ciaran Bradley [12], recording a birdie at 11th, 24pts on back nine and an overall 39pts.
Friday 8th Open Stroke, which is beginning to build in numbers again after the local holidays, was won by single handicapper David Johnston [6], returning a two over gross 38 shots on back nine with the help of birdies at 13th and 18th for a submittant score of gross 77, [nett 71]
Sat 9th Open, generously sponsored by Auto Fast Fit & Tyre Centre, Letterkenny, again saw a welcome entry of almost one hundred competitors, with the early tee-off’s battling rain and strong winds. Indeed it was one of those hardy early starters, no doubt rushing to get back in time for the Donegal GAA game, that took first place on the rostrum, Cat 3. handicapper Tommy Daly [18]. Winning out on a 4-way BOT with 38pts, Tommy’s inward nine of 20pts needed a countback on the last six to relegate Pat Keating [18] to runner-up spot, despite Pat’s birdie on 14th. In third place was Paddy Mc Daid [11], whose 19pts on back nine was not enough despite his birdie on 17th.
Sunday 10th saw the course host Catherine Cooke-Harkin’s Lady Captain’s prize to the Gents and taking this honour was single figure handicapper Martin A. Gallagher [6] who, having recorded no less than four birdies on the card starting at 1st to make the turn with a level par 36 shots and 21pts, then followed up with birdies at 11th, 14th and 16th and, despite unfortunate bogeys at 17th and 18th, returned a great score in somewhat showery and blustery conditions of 40pts. Following closely behind but losing out by just one point, no doubt due to that unusual “blank” at 8th, was another single figure handicapper in Michael Collum [6] who, whilst scoring 39pts., also recorded birdies at 3rd, 11th, 16th and 18th and returned a great inward nine score of 24pts. In third place on a 4-way BOT was Keith Spence [12] who, despite three double bogeys on the card, still managed 38pts, with a back nine of 20pts.
Club Team Notes: Letterkenny Donegal league team had a heavy defeat in Buncrana on Saturday losing 5-0 and the return leg will be on the 24th, so it will be an uphill task to turn this match around, but we will be supporting the lads and, with their “keep fighting” attitude, you never know!Many thanks to all the team for their efforts.
The juniors had a great result against last year’s winners Buncrana in the under 16’s and will now play Ballyliffin in the semi final which we hope will be played this weekend. Wishing them every success.
Tags: