Deegan’s day at Ardglass

Deegan’s day at Ardglass

21 September 2016

EDMUND Gilchrist’s President’s Day competition at Ardglass had to be postponed last month because of the weather, but the re-run on Saturday was well worth the wait.

The seaside links was bathed in September sunshine and the field of almost 200 players had a course that was in immaculate condition.

The top score of the day was 12-handicapper Michael Deegan’s 41 points.

His outward nine of six pars and three bogeys brought him 21 points and he began the inward nine strongly as well, with three further pars and a birdie.

The Ballyhornan man faltered at the 14th but steadied the ship to finish with 41 points and a very creditable 77 gross.

Chasing winner Deegan home was G J McCann. After a period out of the prizewinners, the popular former greens convenor showed that he still has what it takes.

Gerry was out in three over for 20 points, then double-bogeyed the 10th and 11th. However, he quickly shrugged off this setback and proceeded to play the last seven holes flawlessly for a total of 40 points and second place.

Just behind were four players all on 39 points and after the computer had completed its work, in third place was Gary Doherty.

Following an ordinary 16 points on the opening nine, the 20-handicapper played the tricky 10th to 13th stretch in one under, which set him up well on the way in.

His 23-point total on the back nine was enough to edge out the other three.

Colm Magee, who had opened his round with two birdies, took fourth place. His seven pars on the way in gave him a good back nine of 21 points and relegated Trevor Long to fifth spot, despite Long’s own two birdies in the closing holes.

John Rooney was the unlucky man who also hit 39 points, but just missed out on the prizes.  

No fewer than six players finished on 38 points. They included Don McEvoy, who might be regretting two closing bogeys in what was otherwise an excellent gross 74.

Also posting 38 points and clinching the seniors prize was Jim Ferguson. This was a remarkable double for the Belfast man, having won the same category earlier in the year on Captain’s Day.

The round of the day was Daniel Vaughan’s 66 which won him the gross prize.

His round contained birdies at the second, eighth, 12th, 14th and 18th, the only blemish being a bogey at the 15th.

Gary Hamill’s 73 took the runner-up prize in this section, just ahead of Don McEvoy and Paul Bell.

Other winners on the day were Gerry Sweeney, who took the past presidents’ prize, Kevin Carville, who won the Council prize, and Gareth McMullan, who won the guests category. The visiting guests winner was Gerard Taggart, from St Patrick’s.

Ronan Hayes won the longest drive with a massive effort down the 15th, while the nearest the pin winners were Daniel Vaughan, Lorcan Feely, Darren Smyth, Peter Milligan and John Rooney.