Silver celebration for Crossgar GC

Silver celebration for Crossgar GC

23 May 2018

CROSSGAR Golf Club played host on a bright, sunny day to its very own 25th anniversary open. 

Early signs were that scoring was a little lower than the conditions might have suggested with Norman Hilditch setting the early benchmark with a level at a score of 36 points. 

That was to remain in front until early afternoon when Jimmy Keenan went one better with 37 points.

Then, out of the blue, Thomas Price brought the course to its knees, coasting home with a mammoth 43 points to claim a title he will never forget. 

The gross was predictably won by David Watson, who also won the longest drive, with Norman Hilditch claiming the nearest the pin prize.

The ladies’ section also started slowly with Nuala Hynds claiming third spot before the two in-form golfers took over.

Joan Dickson, playing the best golf of her life, notched up the runners-up spot, but it was the irrepressible Maeve Fay, who added yet another win to her recent tally. 

Lady captain Lorna Stevenson won the longest drive and Anne McCart got nearest the pin.

At the prize presentation Paddy Bell, match and handicap secretary, expressed the club’s sympathy to the family of Sammy Baillie, or ‘Wee Sammy’ as he was affectionately known to members.  

Sammy was a founder member of the club and had been on the course just last Wednesday for his first outing of the summer season.

The lady captain had also baked a cake and it was cut early in the day by herself and two former lady captains, Oriel Nesbitt (2017) and Elizabeth Patterson (2016), so that it could be enjoyed by many of the players after their golf.

She also presented a congratulations gift to Ronnie Baker, who had scored a hole-in-one during the Friday evening mixed doubles competition.

The ceremony concluded with club captain Kevin Cummings thanking all those who took part.

He congratulated those who presented the course in such good condition and thanked the ladies for the hospitality served.

The club is now all looking forward to the next 25 years.