Cloverhill Golf Club -Colin Claims Captains Prize

 It all began on Thursday as Cloverhill Captain Nial Smyth got his Captains weekend of competitions off to a start with his prize for the Senior members. As was to be the norm during play for the duration of competitions, heavy showers would accompany the players during the course of their game. Far from dampening enthusiasm the rain helped the scoring by taking the fire out of the ground.

Club vice-captain Charlie O Hare was the first visitor to the winners enclosure as he ran away with the Seniors prize by amassing 48 points. Charlie had laid down a marker by winning the weekly Crash Repair 9 hole during the week with 22 points one better than Ivan Whelan. Charlie then off a handicap of 21 (now 18) was a clear winner from Gerry McShane.42 points who also lost a shot for his troubles.

Saturday morning brought the juveniles to the tee and again there was some terrific scoring done before Christopher Lynch made his days of practice pay off by claiming first place from Conor Hoey with Christopher McKay in third place.

Saturday also saw guests of the Captain arrive from all over despite severe weather warnings to compete in the big day. Luckily for all concerned the rain kindly stayed away until play was near ended. Paul Breen from Armagh was runner-up with victory going to popular Newry publican and Warrenpoint member Gerard McGuigan with 41 points. Food and drink and a great evenings craic followed for all concerned.

The heavy overnight rain cast doubt on proceedings but with the course in pristine condition the green light for play was a mere formality. The ladies were out in force on Sunday with Ann McGivern with 43 points taking the honors from Fionnuala Conlon who had 41 points.

A lot of fancied players were going to post in the mens competition but who would survive the 12 man cut to play the extra 9 playoff holes and what would be the cut off point. A third of the way through it was becoming clear that playing to your handicap was not going to get you through. Seamus Tumilty (16) with 42 points was the early leader until John McShane (16) with a marvellous 25 points on the back nine jumped into the lead with 44 points. An hour later two from the same threeball Raymond Martin (21) and Declan Byrne (12) joined John on the 44 point mark. By now the 37 point brigade were in danger of missing the cut. The third last trio on the course brought the qualifying mark up to 38 points as it produced the last two qualifiers to make 13 in all. Mark Hughes (17) and playing partner Colin Pilkington (7) both came in with 43 points. Colin shot a level par 69 to get in the mix a point off the leaders after claiming a course record score.. Two of the 44 pointers John and Declan due to qualification rules governing the Captains prize were unable to win the main prize but could pick up any other prize.

There was a large number of members present as the 5pm playoff began with a fourball on 38 points took to the fairways. Raymond Flynn (17) would shoot the best third nine score with a return of 23 points to take his total to 61 points. Sean Campbell (11) weighed in with 61 as did joint leader Raymond Martin. Declan Byrne shot 21 on the third nine but it was a 20 point return from Colin Pilkington which gave him Mr. Nial Smyth's fabulous crystal lamp Captains Prize. Colin the club proprietor got plenty of slagging as it was he who was up at 6am making the pin placements with the boys reckoning that he had a few practice putts on the way round.

The clubhouse was packed on Sunday night as former Armagh footballer Nial entertained guests and members on a night to remember for the club following a tremendous day on the course with great scoring returns and quality golf produced in front of the clubhouse over the three finishing holes one, six and seven.

The well being of the club was very much reflected in the turnout and atmosphere generated by the Captain for his big day. The splendor of the work crafted and designed by Peter Byrne on the first tee brought lavish praise and a most welcome feature to your opening hole at Cloverhill. The club is indebted to last years Captain Peter and all who helped during the week to do the work at the first tee. Sean and Colin got deserving great praise for the tremendous condition the course was in despite the best efforts of the rain to spoil things.

The Eugene McKevitt Cup for past captains was played for for the first time on Sunday. The Cup put up by the club is in memory of former captain Gene who was the first of our main club officers to pass away. Fittingly and as a just reward for his hard work all week Peter Byrne became the first name inscribed on the Cup. A better back nine saw Peter pip Noel Williams after both had finished with 37 points

The full list of mens winners on Captains Day were:-

Captains Prize-Colin Pilkington
Second-Declan Byrne
Third-Raymond Flynn
Fourth-Sean Campbell
Gross-Brendan Tierney
Leading Qualifier-John McShane
Front nine- Mark Hughes (23)
Back Nine-Peter Byrne (23)
Amen Corner-Joe Mackin
Longest Drive-Daniel Hughes
Nearest the Pin-Colin McParland
Best Dressed-David Pilkington