Tom weathers sunshine and showers for Open win
AFTER a sunshine start and a level par front nine, Tom Calvert refused to allow heavy downpours deter him from winnng the Open Stroke competition at County Armagh.
A Past Captain, he knew exactly what was required if he was to claim the top prize in the Alexanders of Markethill sponsored event. And off his nine handicap he produced the winning nett 64 score to clinch it by a single shot.
A triple bogey seven at the 17th hole however, made it a very uncomfortable wait until the results were eventually announced. But his nett 64 proved one better than all the rest on the day.
Back-to-back birdies at the 6th and 7th holes compensated for dropped shots at the next two holes, and a further birdie two at the 11th made up for for Tom's only other dropped shot at the 16th before that triple bogey at the 17th.
Runner up James Johnston, with a nett 65, could so easily have nicked it from Tom had he not three-putted the final hole, or indeed the 17th.
Six-handicapper James was one under par after nine holes and never dropped another shot until 17, and then 18, for his one-over par finish.
John Lowe was a further shot adrift on nett 66. Two over par after nine holes, double bogeys at the 15th and 18th holes, undoubtedly cost him dearly.
Ian Ritchie, with an early start, missed the afternoon showers and claimed fourth place with a nett 68. Playing partner Neil Linton shared the same score - nett 68 - to take prize number five, and Paul Doyle, part of James Johnston's fourball on the day, gratefully accepted sixth with a similar 68 - a score infact which Ben Jennett also carded on the day to claim the final prize.