McNabb Trophy win written in the stars for Gerry
IT was written in the stars ... astronomer Gerry Doyle will tell you after winning the CP McNabb Trophy.
The Armagh Observatory star-gazer picked up the coveted silverware with an out of this world winning score of 46 points in the first major competition of the season at the County Armagh course.
Taking full advantage of the drying conditions and run on course fairways, Gerry, a 21-handicapper, chalked up an impressive 24 points on the front nine holes, with a birdie 2 the 3rd hole thrown in for good measure. He added a further 22 points over the back nine holes to complete his winning score of 46 points.
The two-day competition officially kicking off the season, attracted considerable numbers and conditions favoured some very high scoring indeed. Among them was runner up to Gerry, Anthony Fagan with 43 points, steady scoring on front and back nines, 21 and 22 respectively.
Kieran Grimley lost out narowly on countback but would still have been very happy to pick up the 0-12 handicap category first prize with his 43 points for a round which included a birdie at the par five 8th hole and another birdie at the par four 17th hole.
Runner up to Kieran was Ryan McVeigh who had 42 points from a round which included birdies at the 4th, 8th and 12th holes, but his undoing was the 'no-score' at the par three 9th hole.
Competitions Convenor Paddy Burns led home the 13-18 handicap category with 43 points, birdies at the par five 10th and 12th holes the highlight of his round and ultimately pushing another in-form player, Winston Gordon, also with 43 points, back into the category runners up spot.
Gary Baird's Sunday afternoon stroll proved hugely worthwhile with 43 points securing him the Category 3 prize. His better back nine denied another Killyela man, Ian Ritche, who also returned 43 points on the day.