The North West Lady members contested their 'major' of the year, Ann Coyle's 'Captains Prize' on Wednesday 26th August, which was blessed with the good weather, and Ann's array of beautiful prizes were on display in the Pro Shop for all the ladies to feast their eyes on before play. In addition all competitors received a lovely 'goody' bag and Captain Ann was on hand to welcome everyone to her 'big' day, where lowest handicapper, Joanne Harkin once again displayed her golfing prowess, the seven handicapper posting a brilliant five over par gross round which was rewarded with a great score of 38 stableford points!
In the final analysis Joanne had two points to spare over runner up, and playing partner, Lorraine McGettigan, who free from her Captain responsibilities, carded 36 points from her twenty two handicap. In third place then came beginner Rosalyn McLaren playing off thirty three with 38 points. The days gross prize then went to Geraldine Cross playing off seventeen with 18 gross points, while Helan Quigley (34) was fourth 35 points, Shirley McConalogue, fifth, (39) 34 points and Bernie Barr (29 sixth with 33 points.
The category prizes went to Category 1: 1st M. McLaren 32 points, 2nd N. Moore 31 points. Category 2: R Timoney 32pts, 2nd A Neff 31pts Category 3: B.Coyle 31pts, 2nd M Fisher 28pts. Front Nine: A. Mc Closkey 16pts Back Nine: M. Cassidy 16pts Committee Prize D. Britton 31pts Past Captain's Prize R. Williamson 30pts Nearest the pin: M.O.Hea Longest Drive Joanne Harkin
Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank-you to Ann for such an enjoyable day in these 'strange' times.
The presentation of prizes will be held at a later date due to the Covid-19 regulations, and next week the ladies contest the Challenge Vase!
Thursday is Links Open day at the North West and in recent times this has been dominated by away players, but not this week. Coming in with a remarkable score of 45 points was Emmett Casson, closely followed by Niall Boyle on 43 points. Mickey Bradley finds himself in the winners circle again with his "boring" brand of golf taking the Gross prize with a score of 76 strokes. Dermot McDermott came third with a score that would win on any other with 41 points, while Willie Meehan steadied on the back nine for 21 points for the back nine prize.
1st Emmett Casson 45pts
2nd Niall Boyle 43pts
Gross Michael Bradley 76 gross
3rd Dermot McDermot 41pts
B-9 Willie Meehan 21pts
On Saturday in tough windy conditions 166 competitors took to the field to contest Mr Paul O'Heas Captains prize. With some fantastic prizes on offer the conditions were no deterrent with a three way break of tie deciding the winner all on 39 points.
David Robb, takes home the 2020 captains prize. Two birdies at 2 and 3 got the ball rolling but a steady finish was needed to see off the opposition after a blank at the SI 1 7th hole. 5 pars and 4 bogeys on the back nine was enough for David to see off second placed Sean Watson., who started strongly with a birdie at the tough 1st hole. A double bogey at 12 made the difference but this should not take away from a fantastic round. Finishing off the 39'rs we had the in form Donal Begley with two birdies and 9 pars.
The gross prize is always a coveted prize on captains day and this went to non other than Padraig MacLochlain with a 2 under nett round of 75. Padraig recorded 3 birdies and 7 pars with no doubles on his way to the gross prize.
With Captains day comes extra prizes and 4th and 5th Went to Robbie Martin and Michael Kelly, separated on a BOT with 38 points with the back 9 prize going to Cahir Bradley who finished strongly with 21 points on the back.
The Council Prize went to house convener Brian Grant. Past captains prize went to Dudley Coyle with John O'Brien taking the Veterans prize.
Eugene O'Connell won the Non qualifier, with Peter Bell taking the last prize of the day.
Captains Day Prize Winners
1st David Robb 39pts bot (14) 2nd Sean Watson 39pts bot (15) Gross Padraig MacLochlain 75 gross (7) 3rd Donal Begley 39pts (12) 4th Robbie Martin 38pts bot (17) 5th Michael Kelly 38pts (8) B-9 Cahir Bradley 21pts (16)
Council Member Brian Grant 33pts (12)
Pass Captain Dudley Coyle 37pts (28) Vet John O’Brien 36pts (11) Super Vet Frankie Friel 34pts (17)
Non Qualifier
1st Eugene O Connell 35pts (11) 2nd Peter Bell 32pts (20)
Rounding out the week we had the monthly medal hosted on the last comp of the summer. And it was the last of the summer wine for the in form Tony McElhinney shooting a 6 under nett score of 67 to win my three shots from Leo McGowan who finished in second with 67. In third on a break of tie from Leo was Martin McGrath. Stewart McGinlay goes low again with a gross score of 72 to take the gross prize, while Justin MacLaochlain shoots one under on the back to taken the back 9 Prize.
1st Tony McElhinney 64 nett (16)
2nd Leo McGowan 67 nett bot (14)
Gross Stewart Mcginlay 72 gross
3rd Martin McGrath 67 nett
Back 9 Justin MacLochlain 34 nett
Summer may be drawing to a close, but we hav no intention in putting the clubs away just yet with an exciting September program coming in the next few days including the County Donegal Open brought you you by Major Coo. Watch this space.
Mr Captain Paul O'Hea and Lady Captain Ann Coyle.