Letterkenny Golf Club: Shane ‘scans’ Lady Captain’s Prize

Monday 25th again saw a good turn-out of the club’s juniors and what impressive scores we have seen being returned of late. Scoring highest last week was Patrick Page with 43pts followed by Dylan Mc Croary on 42pts.

Wednesday 27th hosted the Bonnar Engineering sponsored Open and indeed, engineering his way to the winning score was Kevin Hensey [11] who, with a three over par gross 21pts on front nine, pinned birdies at 10th [Cornagill] and 18th [Stockade] for a formidable 24pts on inward nine and an overall 45pts, a three point margin over runner-up Aiden Friel [9] who finished with 42pts. Despite bogeys at par three’s 13th and 16th and Aughaninshin [par four 17th], Aiden recorded back-to-back birdies at 10th, 11th and 12th holes, finishing off with another birdie at 18th for a one under gross back nine. In third place was J.P.Clarke [12] whose inauspicious start of double bogey at Glebe [2nd], birdie at Swilly [3rd] ‘blank’ at Sliabh Sneacht [4th] and birdie at Inishowen [5th] left him wondering what was to come next and indeed, birdie at 11th [Settlement], double bogey at 12th [Sheep Hill] and birdie at 18th gave him 40pts to relegate Michael Boyce [13] to fourth place on B.O.T. Gross prize went to John Doran [7] with 31pts gross and visitor’s prize was collected by Enda Mc Cormick [13] with 35pts. Wednesday evening 9 holes competition winners were: 1st. Tommy Greally 22pts; 2nd. Alistair Boreland 21pts ; 3rd. Donal Murphy 19pts; (bot)

Saturday 30th had one of the favourite competitions of the year, the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Open and proving as such was the fact that, despite the ‘big match’ in Dublin, over one hundred entries were received with Daniel Patton [14] winning through with the help of a birdie at Stockade [18th] giving him 21pts on back nine to add to his impressive 22pts on front nine for a total return of 43pts, pipping runner-up Conor Coady [20] by one point. Conor’s nines of 20pts and 22pts respectively were left short no doubt by his double bogey at Stackyard [14th], but enough on the countback to relegate Cat 4 convener Gerry O’ Sullivan [18] to third place on B.O.T., Gerry again showing his Cat 4 ensemble that he can play, returning 42pts also. In fourth place was Paddy Doherty [25] also on 42pts whilst gross prize was again won by Jack Patton [4] with 35pts gross.

The last day of July, Sunday 31st, saw another large entry, this time playing for the much anticipated Lady Captain’s prize to Gents and taking the honour was Shane Scanlan [7] whose birdie at 4th helped him return a one over gross 37 shots on outward nine and a better back nine on countback from 40pts placed him above Tony Duffy [22] on B.O.T., Tony also posting 40pts having recorded a birdie at par three 8th but that unfortunate ‘blank’ at 10th no doubt had him lose out on top spot. Third placed was Ulster Cup and Donegal League team stalwart Shay Henry [13], whose back-to-back double bogeys definitely lost top spot for him. Gross prize on Sunday was won by Shane Blake [6] with 31pts gross, having a grandstand finish at par five 18th with an eagle three whilst the most improved golfer of the season so far, Eddie Margey [13] collected front nine prize with 21pts and last year’s golfer of the year, Kevin Rafferty [6] collected back nine with 22pts.

The first competition to greet August was the annual ‘Friends of St. Luke ‘s Hospital Charity Open on Monday 1st and returning the winning score was Glenn Mc Nulty [20] who recorded no less than seven [7] pars in the first eight holes to take the turn with 23pts and cruising home on the back nine with 19pts, finished with 42pts to pip Joe Blake [11], on 41pts. Despite a ‘blank’ at The Isle [7th], Joe’s birdie at Glebe [par five 2nd] helped him to 20pts on front nine and further birdies at par fives 11th [Settlement] and 18th recorded 21pts on inward nine, enough to relegate Enda Mannion [12] to third place on 40pts. Best gross score on the day was by Seamus Patton [5] whose birdies at 5th and 12th holes helped him to 33pts gross.

Competitions continue with the pre-Lady Captain’s Day Mixed and all club members wish Lady Captain Jaqueline Ireland every success on her Lady Captain’s Day on Saturday 6th. Sunday 7th will host the Arena 7 Open and on Wednesday 10th we will have the Mc Ginley Motors Open while Friday 12th will have the Letterkenny Chamber Classic. Members are reminded that the club classic has been rearranged for Sunday 14th August.

Wishing every success to the club’s Ulster Cup team who welcome Rosapenna to Barnhill on Sunday 7th for their second leg encounter, trailing 3 matches to 4 from the away leg.

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