Lee - ve it to Stuart
BIG-HITTING Stuart Lee played the recent gale force winds to his best advantage to lift the Hirsh Cup.
In the NetStretch ltd sponsored competition, two finishing pars secured the coveted trophy for the six-handicapper on countback from John Leer, runner up on a similar nett 68.
A mix of birdies and bogeys told the tale of Stuart's front nine with the only par recorded at the seventh 'quarry' hole. He was just two over par at the turn and dropped only a futher two shots on the back nine holes to shoot just four over for his round in what many admitted were some of the most difficult conditions to-date.
Producing the best Gross score of the day, Jerome Leer was also able to master conditions expertly with a two-under par front nine, including birdies at the second, third, fourth and ninth holes. An eagle three at the 12th hole split pars at nine and ten, 13 and 14 before he began recording a string of dropped shots - a sickly seven at the 16th hole ultimately cost him the top prize.
Next best on the day was Paul Doyle whose nett 70 won the 0-12 handicap category, two shots ahead of Paul Smyth on nett 72.
Stephen Miller's Ulster Fourball experience the previous week obviously stood him in good stead as
he produced a nett 70 to win the 13-18 handicap category. On countback he beat Pascal Toner who also returned a nett 70.
Franciie Smyth was the man to beat in the 19-28 handicap category returning a nett 70 to win ahead of Peter Murphy on nett 71.
HIRSH CUP: County Armagh Golf Club Captain Brendan Smyth presents the Hirsh Cup to Stuart Lee. Looking on are competition winners Jerome Leer, Peter Murphy, Stephen Miller and Paul Doyle.
April Medal Price is right for Harold
Harold Price collected the first (April) medal of the season with a one shot, nett 65 winning score.
In the most difficult of windy conditions, the affable Harold returned the best score of the day leaving three players - Mark Loughran, Philip Kelly and Mark Gillen - all trailing in his wake.
A birdie three at the par four second hole was followed by some steady scoring over the front nine for Harold. And with a six over par return trek, which included pars at the 11th and 15th holes, he was always going to be hard to catch.
Mark Loughran put up the best challenge with returning a nett 66 score. The six-handicapper mastered the conditions superbly for a two over par front nine and level par back nine which included a birdie two at the 13th hole.
Martin Gill lifted the 0-12 handicap category first prize with a nett 66, winning on countback from Neil Cromwell, also nett 66, who producied the Best Gross Score of the day.
Philip Kelly and Mark Gillen had also to be separated on countback after both returned scores of nett 66 - Philip just getting the nod in the 13-18 handicap category.
And in the 19-28 handicap section Dr Gary O'Reilly had the perfect prescription for his first prize with a nett 70, winning from Paul O'Hagan, also nett 70, on countback.
APRIL MEDAL: County Armagh Golf Club Captain Brendan Smyth presents Harold Price with the April Medal. Included in the picture also are competition winners Mark Gillen, Paul O'Hagan and Mark Loughran.
WALTZ CLASSIC WINNERS: County Armagh Golf Club Captain Brendan Smyth congratulates Gerry Kelly, captain of the winning team in the recent Waltz Classic. Included are team members Philip Kelly, Sean O'Kane and Paul Doyle (standing in for Pat Kelly) and second and third place winning team members (back row L- R) Colin Gamble, Johnny Brown and Patrick Brannigan.
4-BALL CLASSIC WINNERS: Neil Linton, Captain of the 4-Ball Classic winning team collects his prize from County Armagh Golf Club Captain Brendan Smyth. Looking on are team members Brian Loney and Lee Stewart.