DAVID Grimley's back-nine birdie blitz saw him lift the Gerry Lenagh Trophy at County Armagh.
The young golfer had three sprinkled among two bogeys and four pars to rack up a superb 26 points on his finishing trek. And with 20 points already pencilled in from the front nine holes, his magnificent 46 points final tally was the outstanding score of the annual stableford competition sponsored by Morgan McLernon Transport Distribution.
It was a fitting climax to a hugely successful Open Week at County Armagh which was attended by golfers from across Ireland, north and south.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Martin Oliver presents the Gerry Lenagh Trophy to David Grimley, winner of the Morgan McLernon sponsored stableford competition. Included also are runners up Niall McGurgan, Gerry Cullen, Des McLaughlin, Jerome Leer, Gary McCourt, Philip Kelly and Ronan O'Reilly.
For the talented young Grimley, playing off a handicap of 14, it was especially memorable, although after nine holes there was little to suggest he'd be lifting the magnificent trophy later the same day. His 20 points however, was obviously the perfect launch pad for a scintillating back nine where he recorded those birdies at the 11 th , 14 th and 17 th holes to add a further 26 points.
In difficult blustery conditions Ronan O'Reilly (9) would have been optimistic about his 42points – but alas – even with birdies at the 8 th and 17 th holes - it fell way far short of Grimley's score.
In third place with 41 points was Gerry Cullen and in fourth was Gary McCourt (10), a player also in birdie form on the day – recording four no-less - at the 8 th , 11 th , the 16 th and 17 th holes. On countback it was obviously enough to see off Desmond McLaughlin (18) in fifth place, returning 40 points also, and Martin Gill (5) whose 40 points saw him claim sixth prize with
Niall McGurgan (6) bringing up the rear with an equally impressive 39 points.
Philip Kelly (1) 41 points and Jerome Leer (4) 35 points, recorded the Best Gross Points score on the day.