Memorable Captain's Day At Cloverhill
At Cloverhill Golf Club it was the Captains Day on Sunday and there was no more fitting tribute to the very popular captain, Noel R. Williams, than that paid by members and guests who turned out in large numbers to both play and attend his presentation evening and, needless to say, the event lasted until the wee small hours of Monday.
Noel, a very sprightly energetic 73 year old, has been a tremendous ambassador for the club leading from the front on all occasions not alone in words but actions too. A standing ovation after his presentation dinner speech showed just how highly thought of this former ship’s captain is as he sailed through one of it’s most successful and productive years.
On Friday afternoon activities on the golf course began with the juvenile and student competitions. After some great golf over 12 holes, the juvenile’s results were a close run affair with Stephen Murphy emerging as the winner from Christopher McKay and mark Garvey back in third place. The student section off the white markers saw Conor Donaghy shoot 42 points to claim the prize and a two shot handicap reduction to go with it.
Later on that night, another club milestone was achieved with the unveiling of the new club website. The site sponsored by secured Loan Solutions has still to be updated to its full potential but its layout and design are already a big hit with the members. Club results and fixtures can be accessed as well as host of other information. The website can be found at www.cloverhillgolfclub.co.uk.
Saturday saw the setting up of the barbeque at the seventh hole and behind the scenes preparation to ensure Noel’s big day would be a success.
From early Sunday morning the club was a hive of activity as members followed by ladies and then guests vied to win one of the beautiful arrays of prizes on offer excellently displayed on a unit designed and made by the Captain.
The outside scoreboard saw vice-captain Peter Byrne (19) set the early qualifying standard being first on the board with 36 points. Seamus Fearon (26), in his first Captain’s day went one better than Peter to lead a good while until Charlie O’Hare (23) took the front with 38 points.
There was a host of scores between 34 and 38 before pre tournament favourite and the man in form David Pilkington (9) opened up a big gap with a terrific round of 21 points out and 23 home for a leading qualifying total of 44 points.
Astonishingly it was not until the last group in that David’s Holmpatrick Cup partner, Jim McKay (6), became his closest rival with a return of 41 points.
The big question for the whole field was what would make the top twelve places for the evening extra 9 holes. The cut came at 35 points which left 14 in the hunt for the big prize.
The 14 qualifiers were benny Tierney, Joe Carroll, Peter Byrne, Conor Donaghy, Stephen Coleman, Miceal McGuiness, Ed Hughes, Alister megarity, Frank Quinn, Declan O’Neill, Seamus Fearon, Charlie O’Hare, Jim McKay and David Pilkington.
Everyone figured that it would be a horse race between the playing partners as they were both not going to let their standing advantage slip to allow the rest of the field in. The play-off provided a wonderful spectacle with 4 players tied on 55 points before Stephen Coleman broke that deadlock as his 20 points extra nine holes took him to 57 but one would think not enough to trouble the leading duo and soon it was to be. An up and down from the greenside bunker at the sixth from David was to prove crucial with one hole to play. The par three seventh at the clubhouse was the finishing hole and it proved to be a great spectacle for the large on looking crowd. Jim stitched it to 4 foot from the flag to really put the pressure on David. The response was impressive also leaving him with a 8 footer for birdie. David missed his two as his rival Jim made birdie to keep the pressure on. David the defending champion was not to be denied back to back Captains’ prizes as he rolled in the par putt to win by one point.
The Ladies section saw a two way battle also as the two Murphy’s went head to head with Anne, with the “e” coming out as victor.
Gerard Smyth won the visitor’s prize from Pat McEnteggart.
The presentation evening was full to capacity as everyone enjoyed the buffet provided by Bridgie and Rosie and danced the night away to the great music provided by Charlie.
During the course of the prize giving vice-captain peter Byrne presented Noel with a beautiful canvas print depicting a picture of him as a ships captain to his present role of Cloverhill Captain.
It is back to the hum drum regular golfing fare now that the most important day in the club calendar is over.
The Wednesday Cup will conclude with the final the last Wednesday in August so there are still a few spots to be won. On Sunday the Darren Clarke qualifier will be played.
On Sunday August 12th there is a four person team classic, £80 or €120 per team including a meal. There are two tiers of prizes for GUI teams (White markers) Non – GUI teams (Green markers). There are a few tee-times left so bookings can be made by ringing (028) 3088 9374.
Newry Reporter Article - 2nd August 2007