PAUL Quinn kicked off his 50 th birthday celebrations at the week-end by collecting the Hirsh Cup at County Armagh Golf Club.
The trophy is one of the oldest in the club's collection and perhaps a fitting presentation for the half-century milestone being marked by the 17-handicapper who produced a superb nett 65 to win the competition played for annually and sponsored by Cormac Knott's NetStretch Limited Web Design Agency.
The Hirsh Cup is presented to Paul Quinn by Cormac Knott from Netstretch Ltd, sponsors of the annual stroke competition at County Armagh Golf Club, and Club Captain Martin Oliver. Included also are category prizewinners Brendan Beagan, Eamon Toner and Shea Smith
There was absolutely no sign of the ageing process when Paul returned a two-over-par back nine score – albeit after a rather disappointing front nine - for his nett 65 score. And his better back nine proved the difference in countback when John Vernon also returned a nett 65 score. A triple bogey 7 at the par 4 16 th cost John dearly, but a pay out from the ‘2s' pot after a birdie at the 11 th hole will go some way to ease the pain of narrowly missing out on first prize.
In similar fashion Shea Smyth (3) took the honours in Category One with a nett 68 and better back nine winning out to Paul Dolye (5) also on nett 65. After a three over par front-nine, Shea pencilled in birdies at the 10 th , 15 th and 18 th holes to recover the loss. Paul too was in birdie form - at the 10 th and 12 th holes.
In Category 2 Brendan Beagan (18) was a master of consistency for his round and a nett score 66. And he too won the prize on countback from Past Captain Richard Black who also returned a nett 66.
And in Category 3 it was Eamon Toner who led the charge - a nett 67 gifting him the honours two shots ahead of Anthony McEneaney with a nett 69.