Tom banks first trophy of the season
AS a previous winner of the Bankers Cup on more than one occasion, Tom Calvert knows only too well the winning game plan.
And he put his own cool, calm and collected experience to excellent use once again to ensure his name will again be engraved on the coveted trophy with the winning score in the annual competition, sponsored by Johnston Bakery, Armagh.
However, it wasn't the best start to a winning round as eight-handicapper Tom dropped shots at the 1st and 4th holes. But he recovered one of those shots with a birdie two at the 9th hole to leave him just one over par at the half way stage.
A double bogey at the par-5 10th hole might have shaken lesser golfers, but Tom showed the measure of his class to recover a shot with a birdie 2 at the very next hole. After that, six pars were confidently carded and although he bogeyed the 18th, his nett 65 was always going to be hard to beat.
Andrew Millar secured the first of back-to-back runners up prizes over the week-end with a nett 65 - just losing out to Tom on countback. The four-handicapper's superb round included three birdies at the 1st, 8th and 11th holes.
John Maguire, playing off a handicap of two, also recorded three birdies during his round which yeilded a nett 67 and earned him the first prize in Category 1. Mark Loughran was runner up with a nett 67, also losing out to John on countback.
Andrew Rennie's nett 66 won Category 2 with Brian Wilson's five consecutive bogey's to finish his round ultimately costing him dearly on the day. His nett 68 however, earned him runners up prize in Category 2.
Jim Carberry, a playing partner to overall winner Tom Calvert on the day, was untouchable in Category 3 with a nett 66 - his score four shots better than his nearest challenger Ian Ritchie who returned a nett 70
Tom Calvert is presented with the Bankers Cup by County Armagh Golf Club Captain Pat McAleavey. Included also are runners up and category winners in the competition which was kindly sponsored by Johnston's Bakery, Armagh, (from left) John Maguire, Andrew Millar, Andrew Rennie and Jim Carberry