Cloverhill Golf Club - Juveniles Reach Last Four

The juvenile Ronan Rafferty team have reached the semi-finals of the competition following their quarter final win over Clones. Having failed on three previous occasions to reach the last four Cloverhill gave themselves a very good chance by picking up eight and a half points at Clones last Thursday. The return leg on Saturday was very much in the balance after 9 holes were completed as we led 3-2. The 5 singles matchplay matches are worth a total of 20 points one for each nine and two for the overall match. Team captain Miceal McGuinness lost the front nine and was two down after 13 but turned things round by winning the next four holes boosted by a pair of birdies. Second up was Neil Smyth son of club captain Nial who is over the juvenile team for the past few years. Neil picked up all four points on offer. Ryan McGivern trailed halfway but won the back nine to tie his match at 2-2 Christopher McKay once again picked up all four points on home soil and Christopher Lynch taking up the rear produced another three points to take the tally to 16 and a place in the last four against the winners of the Lurgan v Loughgall match.

Our defence of the Holmpatrick Cup as Ulster and Armagh came to an end on Thursday at Castlehume. Club winners Benny Tierney and Declan O Neill were on holidays so second placed Joe Mackin and Colin Pilkington took their place but were relieved of their titles by the father and son Ashfield representatives. Hopefully the new Armagh champions can go on to annex the Ulster title at Concra Wood in a few weeks time.

The Darren Clarke qualifier was the prize on offer in the weekend competition which attracted a very good entry. Scotsman Mark Keogh (11) was the early leader following a magnificent front nine holes. Mark was two under par with birdies at holes 6 and 9 for a total of 26 points but could not sustain that sort of golf in the home stretch. A return of only 16 points on the back left Mark on 42 points. Sean Moan, Jim McKay, Raymond Martin and Steve O Hara all came in a point shy of the leader whose score looked as if it might survive. But as is normally the case someone pops out of the pack to snatch victory. This time round it was thirteen handicapper Shane Grant who produced the goods. One over par for a front nine of 24 points was followed by five straight pars before the wheels wobbled a bit. Four dropped shots in the next three holes was retrieved by a par at the final hole which produced 20 points to give a winning 44 point total.

Next weekend is the Three T's prevention against suicide competition which annually proves to be the best of all the qualifying competitions which we play in. Timesheet is posted in the clubhouse.

Saturday Aug 15 is the Forkhill GAC Golf Classic with fourballs at Baltray and Druids Glen amongst some of the fabulous prizes that have to be won.

Saturday Aug 22 our Lady Captain Ann Murphy will be hosting her Captains Day. Timesheet is posted in the clubhouse. Presentation of prizes at 9-30 pm followed by music.

Saturday Aug 29 Lissummon GAC will be hosting their Golf Classic where there will be a New Car on offer for a hole in one. along with some other great prizes.

Clubhouse can be contacted with regards to participation in the above Classics.

On Thursday the seniors held a three person Scramble which saw a decimal point separate the top two teams. Jim McDonnell, Noel Williams and Charlie O Hare came in at the death to snatch victory from Fr Cullen, John Byrne and Pius Tierney. Next week is a singles stableford competition with a reminder the the final round of the Maratime Trophy will take place on Aug 13
Conor Hoey was the winner of Tuesday's juvenile competition with Dominic Keeley in second place. There will be another juvenile competition this Tuesday at 10 am.