SEVEN years ago Eric Hamilton was merrily presenting prizes at his Captain's Day. But last week-end he was on the receiving end of the prizes at County Armagh Golf Club - as the big winner in Martin Oliver's Captain's Day.
The 2009 Captain returned a magnificent nett 60 score to win the 2016 Captain's prize – a beautiful new motor caddy.
Eric's impressive score was three shots better than all of the 300-plus golfers who took to the city course over two days. Patrick Quinn was runner up - a distant three shots behind Eric with an equally impressive nett 63 score.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day winner 2016, Eric Hamilton, is pictured with Captain Martin Oliver and daughters Emma and Carrie.
Many believed the weather conditions on Friday favoured the early players. But in the company of his regular fourball – John Flack, Kenny Gordon and Fred Hanna – on a blustery Saturday afternoon, Eric produced his best ever golf for that winning score.
The 19-handicapper was just three over par after nine holes and dropped only a further six shots on the back nine to return an untouchable nett 60.
Patrick Quinn must have believed for along time that he'd be in with a shout after returning a superb nett 63. But disappointingly the 13-handicapper had to settle for second place. His round – a four over par front nine and two over par back nine – included a birdie at the 11th hole.
Captain Martin Oliver was joined by daughters Emma and Carrie for the presentation of a spectacular array of prizes for a list of 17 winners, each individually applauded by a packed clubhouse.
Earlier in the day the Captain welcomed family and friends as well as many Past Captain's and Presidents to the traditional coffee morning - sponsored by Johnston's Bakery.
Beautiful floral decorations bedecked the club which overlooked the excellently manicured course, expertly prepared by Greens Convenor Tom Calvert and his green-keeping staff.
And despite being somewhat breezy with the odd shower thrown in, conditions were all but ideal for the Captain's competition.
Club President Walter Neville was among the prize winners on Saturday – successfully defending his Past Captain and President's Prize with an excellent nett 68.
Competitions Convenor John Lowe was the deserving winner of the Council and Committee prize after returning a nett 67. And club PRO Richard Stewart collected the 13-18 handicap category prize with a nett 65.
Ronan McWilliams won they 0-12 handicap Category with a nett 65 also, and Tim Teehan was one shot better with a nett 64 to claim the 19-28 Category Prize.
Friday afternoon produced the Best Gross score – 68 – from Stewart Stevenson, playing off 2, while Conor McGurgan claimed the Visitors prize with a nett 68 and David Doyle won the Country, Overseas & 18-24 Age Group with a nett 59.
Popular local sporting star Collette McSorley won the Ladies Prize with June Humphries runner up, Emily Ballintyne was the Juvenile Girls 6-hole competition winner, Lauren McKeown the Juvenile Girls 9-hole competition winner and Caoimhe Hillen was winner of the Juvenile Girls 18-holes.
The Juvenile Boys (junior) Prize was won by Simon McGuirk with a nett 68 while Kris Calvert won the Juvenile Boys (senior) Prize with an equally impressive nett 66.
Charity was also the big winner on the day with upwards of £1800 raised for the Captain's Charity – Marie Curie.
Round complete, County Armagh Golf Club Hon. Secretary Paddy Burns, Michael Macklin Benny Simpson and Don McKee are pictured on the 18th green on Captain’s Day.
Colourful characters on Captain’s Day at County Armagh Golf Club, Gary McDonald, Stevie Catterall, Roy Turner and Nigel McMahon.
The winner’s fourball – Eric Hamilton (right) with Fred Hanna, Kenny Gordon and John Flack, pictured on the 18th green on Captain’s Day.
Enjoying their round on Captain’s Day, Lee Stewart, Derek Calvin, Neil Linton and Andy McCrea.
On the 5th tee box during Captain’s Day at County Armagh Golf Club, Thomas McElmeel, Ciaran Black, Gavin McElmeel and Paul Kelly.
Johnny Boyd, Jonathan Black, Paul and Michael Wasson pictured during their round on Captain’s Day at County Armagh Golf Club.
On he first green, pars in he bag, Gareth Reilly, Thomas Murray, Stewart Stevenson and Stuart Lee.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver chats to Gerry McCreesh, Niall McGeown and Michael Smyth on the first tee on Captain’s Day.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver sets off the fourball Michael Calvert, Mervyn Watt, Neil Cromwell and Kyle Wilson on Captain’s Day.
Philip Kelly, John Morgan, Jarlath McReynolds and Mark Shannon are pictured on the first tee on Captain’s Day with County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver.
Surrounded by family, County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver enjoys a cuppa at the traditional coffee morning on Captain’s Day.
All the Captain’s men …. Past Captain’s and Presidents join Captain Martin Oliver for a special picture on his Captain’s Day.
Past Captain Richard Black and wife Anne with Lady Captain Una Cullaine at the traditional coffee morning on Captain’s Day at County Armagh Golf Club.
Ladies enjoying the traditional Captain’s Day coffee morning, from right, Hilary Johnston, June Humphries and Flo McCall.
Round complete, County Armagh Golf Club Hon. Secretary Paddy Burns, Michael Macklin Benny Simpson and Don McKee are pictured on the 18th green on Captain’s Day.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver presents Simon McGuirk with his prize as Juvenile Boys (junior) competition winner.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver is joined by daughters Emma and Carrie for the presentation of Juvenile Girls’ prizes to Emily Ballintyne and Lauren McKeown on Captain’s Day.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver is joined by daughters Emma and Carrie for the presentation of Council and Committee prize to John Lowe and Past Captain and Presidents’ prize to Club President Walter Neville.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver with daughters Emma and Carrie present the Captain’s Day Gross prize to Stewart Stevenson and Runners Up prize to Patrick Quinn.
Captain Martin Oliver presents David Doyle with the Country, Overseas, 18-24 Age Group prize.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver with Captain’s Day Ladies prize winners June Huimphries, and Collette McSorley.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver with daughters Emma and Carrie are pictured with Captain’s Day Category prize winners Tim Teehan and Richard Stewart.