President’s prize belongs to Paddy

President’s prize belongs to Paddy

13 August 2014

CASTLEWELLAN man Paddy McLean showed the rest of a field of 230 players a clean pair of heels to lift Mr. Harry Smyth’s President’s Prize at Ardglass Golf Club on Saturday.

With the seaside course softened by some heavy rain earlier in the week and the greens in immaculate condition, scoring was expected to be good.

McLean, one of the early starters, soon set a demanding target for the rest of the field.

The 13 handicapper showed his capabilities by playing a brilliant opening 13 holes in only two over.

Even with a few minor blips on the way in he signed for an excellent score of 43 points.

As it turned out, his score stood unbeaten all day and was three better than his nearest challengers. Finishing on 40 points and taking second place was local man Barry Mageean.

After an unremarkable first nine of 17 points, the 11 handicapper toured the back nine in level par, with birdies at 11 and 12, and his strong finish was enough to relegate the fast improving Conor Blaney into third place on countback.

Three players contested fourth place with scores of 38 points, but with contrasting stories to tell.

Sean Looby had 23 points on the front nine, but faded on the homeward stretch. Gareth Smyth, playing off a seven handicap, could only manage 15 points at the halfway stage, but really turned it on on the way back, playing the last eight in one under.

Trevor Long’s round was just as remarkable. After six holes he had already chalked up a triple bogey and a double bogey to lie seven over for the day. The ex-Blackwood man then proceeded to play the last 12 holes in level par, culminating in a birdie at the last.

Countback proved almost impossible to separate the two, but the closing birdie was enough to ensure fourth place for Long and fifth for Smyth.

In the competition for the gross prize, a round of 15 pars, one birdie and two bogeys for a 71 saw Daniel Vaughan home in first place. Gerard Copeland’s 73, with an eagle at the 15th, was good enough for second.

In the past presidents’ section, Michael Hood cantered home with 35 points, helped by a back nine which included a birdie and five pars. Barry Gilliland showed the rest of Council how it’s done with a score of 37 points to take away the council prize.

Jack Murphy’s round of 37 points took the seniors’ prize. The Newry man opened with a no score at the first, but went on to notch at least two points at every hole thereafter.

Guest prizes went to John F. Rice with 36 points and Linda Campbell with 35 points.

Seamus O’Hare out-hit the rest of the competition to take the longest drive award, while the nearest-the pin winners included club captain Tony Maynes (at the fifth), Darren Smyth (seventh), Neil Martin (10th) and Gerry Boyle (12th).

But pride of place must go to Gerard Vaughan, who took the nearest-the pin award at the second by virtue of a hole-in-one.