Semi-final Against Tandragee
The Sam Rutherford team have taken the initiative in their semi-final against Tandragee with a terrific one hole lead to take into the return leg pencilled in for Friday August 29 at 4-30pm. Tandragee was in good condition in spite of the Saturday downpour and the weather during the match was ideal. The opening pairing of Michael McEntagart and Benny Tierney were involved in a nip and tuck match with only a hole between the sides all day. A last hole win from Michael and Benny gave them victory. Second out Jim McKay and Frank Quinn used their vast experience to turn an early 2 holes deficit into a decisive three holes win. The third match saw the home side rally in the middle third of the tie to go three up a lead that David Pilkington and Sean Campbell did well to contain to just three. The final pairing of Colin Pilkington and Colin McParland fought back from two down to finish on level terms, giving us a one hole lead to take into the home leg. While this is a great position to be in there is a lot to be done to reach a first ever final for the club.
The next inter-club outing is on Sunday next at Portadown in the Jack Craig mixed competition with 5 pairs representing the club. On Friday Juvenile convenor Nial Smyth gave competitive debuts to five juveniles, Eddie English, Barry & Conor McKinley, Conor McShane and Conor Murtagh in the Craigavon Shield away to Tandragee. Seasoned campaigners Juvenile captain Micheal McGuinness and Neil Smyth made up the 7 man team who acquitted themselves very well although defeat was to be their lot. With those players the bulk of next years’ juvenile teams the experience will stand them in very good stead. The preliminary round of the juvenile matchplay is as follows Christopher McKay v Conor Murtagh, Niall Ward v Eoghan Burns, Barry McKinley v Eddie English, Mark Garvey v Conor McShane and Conor Hoey v Conor McKinley.
The Sunday singles stableford competition was won by Tony Fenton with 40 points. Three ahead of second placed Joe Hazzard. Next Sunday there will be a 3 person scramble with draws for teams on the half hour from 8 am.
The Seniors Maritime Trophy came to a thrilling climax with the three leading contenders Jim McDonnell, Charlie O Hare and Gerry McShane going out together on the final day. It was the vastly experienced Jim who produced the goods when needed with a winning return of 41 points to get his name on the trophy for the very first time. There will be a senior’s open day this coming Thursday. For tee-times contact 30 889374.
Tony Fenton has joined Daniel Hughes and Neil Smyth in the semi-final of the singles matchplay following his one hole win over Shane Grant. The fourth and final spot is for the winner of the Sean Campbell and Colin Pilkington match.
Timesheets for Ann Murphy’s Lady Captains Day on Sat Sept 6 and for the Seamus McCoy’s President’s Day on Sunday Sept 14 are posted in the clubhouse.
The organisers of the Killeavy Golf Classic heeded the weatherman by calling off the scheduled event on Friday morning, a wise move given the way Saturday turned out. The Classic will now go ahead on Sat next Aug 23.
Lissummon will be holding their Golf Classic on Sat Aug 30. Timesheets for both are available in the clubhouse.
All members are reminded that the tickets for the fundraising night at the dogs in Dundalk stadium on Sept 27 have to be returned to the respective committee member either sold or unsold before Wednesday nights meeting.