North Western Golfing Alliance Nairn/Portnoo Golf Club Saturday 3rd November 2012
Par 73 s.s.s 73
1st Nett Connor McGettigan (14) Letterkenny G.C. 35 Pts
2ND Nett David Forbes (7) Faughan Valley G.C. 34 Pts b.o.t.
3rd Nett Odran McGettigan (25) Strabane G.C. 34 Pts b.o.t.
4th Nett Eddie McHugh (13) Strabane G.C. 34 Pts b.o.t.
5th Nett Gerry Irwin (11) Faughan Valley G.C. 34 Pts.
6th Nett Pat Corry (10) Strabane G.C. 33 Pts b.o.t.
1st Gross Michael McGeady (scr) McCambridge Duffy 73
2nd Gross Brian McElhinney (scr) Foyle Golf Academy 75
3rd Gross Enda Kennedy (+1) Rosapenna G.C. 78
4TH Gross Sean Quigg (1) City of Derry G.C. 79
5TH Garrett Mallon (1) North West G.C. 81
6TH Cathal Patton (5) Strabane G.C. 82
The following had a 2 E.O’Carroll,C.McGettigan,J.P.Dolan,C.Patton,M.Feeney ,N.Sheafer.G.Mallon had two.
The first three competitions of this year’s alliance had been bestowed with good Golfing weather but to-day winter bared its teeth. The hills had alight sprinkling of snow on their peaks and frost had touched the roads making travelling difficult for the early starters. The incessant rain stopped briefly from time to time as if to draw breath before pouring down even heavier than before. The Alliance members are a hardy bunch and they braved the elements accepting that these are the kind of conditions they signed up for in August.
In the circumstances the scoring was good a tribute to greens in excellent condition.
Last time out the gross scoring was excellent and all 6 places were evenly contested .This time it was the nett section that saw the closest battles .While the Winner Connor McGettigan had an admirable 35 points the next 4 placing’s were decided on a break of tie for those on 34 Points.
After 9 holes Stephen Harris was setting the pace with a great 20 points .He was being pursued by Eddie McHugh on 19 and three other competitors were on 18 Gerry Irwin, Maurice McGettigan and Eamonn O’Carroll .Standing on the 12th tee the leaders were Eamonn and Stephen both on 24 points and Eddie McHugh was going well with 23 .This was all to change as Stephen Blanked the next two and Eamonn scored single points for the next three.
With just 3 holes to go new names were on the scene Gerry Irwin had the lead on 31 points, Eamonn had recovered somewhat to be on 30, Maurice McGettigan on 29 was Eddie McHugh 28 as was Odran McGettigan. David Forbes had improved to 27, while our eventual winner Connor McGettigan was also on 27.
What happened then was that as they say” when the going gets tough the tough get going “Connor scored 8 points for the last 3,David Forbes got 7, Odran got 6 Eddie McHugh had 5 and Gerry Irwin saw his chance of taking top position evaporate as he could only get one point.
In the Gross Side of things it was the usual suspects who were top of the leader board after 9 holes Michael McGeady was ahead with 2 under a 33, Enda Kennedy was level on 35 J.P.Dolan and Brian McElhinney on 36. John G.McBride was on 37 .At the 10th hole John P. “went off the radar” and John G. Followed him at the 15th .With 4 holes to play Michael was still 2 under, Enda was still level and Brian still on I over. On 15 a par 5 Michael parried, Enda dropped a stroke and Brian dropped two strokes to par. On 16 the par 3 Enda double boogied ,Michael and Brian Parried and then Michael got in on the double bogey act on the 17th .Enda now dropped strokes at the last two while Brian and Michael parried in.
With Michael taking top honours by 2 clear strokes from Brian and Enda finishing three behind Brian.
In the nett golfer of the year, There has been a change at the top with Odran McGettigan last year’s winner ahead with 17 followed by J.P.Dolan on 16.
In the Gross we have Brian McElhinney increasing his lead to 35, Enda Kennedy is on 30 and Michael McGeady is third on 26.
We all wish Michael the best of good fortune as he competes next week from the 13th to the 15th November on the Marquess course at Woburn Golf Club in the Euro Pro tour finale. He is currently lying in 14th place in the order of merit .He is the leading Irish man.
Next competition 17th November 2012 Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris) G.C.
