Paul's ace but Brian's a winner
PAUL Doyle may have been the recent talk of County Armagh after recording the first hole-in-one at the par three third hole since its restructuring. But it was Brian Loney who topped the scoreboard in the same Sunday Stableford competition.
'Doyler' struck the perfect eight-iron shot for his ace at the 143-yard third hole and celebrated a double when he picked up the competition's low handicap category first prize.
Killylea man Brian Loney however, produced the winning round of the day with 42 stableford points recorded - two more than anyone else in a somewhat depleted field of golfers who were otherwise engaged in club team competitions.
Brian, a regular in the prizes of late, ironically grabbed a birdie two at the third hole and a birdie three at the next as he racked up 21 points over the front nine. Steady scoring on a course which was playing long for the conditions, saw him repeat that feat over the back nine, and with 42 points he was always going to be among the prizes.
As it turned out he was two points better than the rest. Andy Conn produced an excellent 40 points to take the runners up prize. 21 points and 19 points respectively front and back saw Andy home.
Gervase Hughes was among the top scoring over the front nine holeson the day with 23points on his card by the turn. Despite adding only a further 15 points on the homeward trek, he picked up second prize behind Paul Doyle in the low handicap category.
Paul Corvan's 37 points won the mid-handicap category. He too racked up the majority of his points - 22 - on the front nine and added only a futher 15 on the back. But it was enough to secure him the category prize ahead of Brenda McKinney whose 36 points and better six finish earned him second prize.
David McKee took the high-handicap prize with 38 points wihile Ronan McWilliams will rue a no-score at the 18th hole for a 37 points finished which earned him runners up.
The Best Gross score of the day was produced by Neil Cromwell, his 32 points winning on a back-six countback.
Overall
1st Brian Loney (42 pts)
2nd Andy Conn (40 pts)
(0 - 12)
1st Paul Doyle (38 pts - back 9)
2nd Gervase Hughes (38 pts)
(13 - 18)
1st Paul Corvan (37 pts)
2nd Brendan McKinney (36 pts - back 6)
(19 - 28)
1st David McKee (38 pts)
2nd Ronan McWilliams (37 pts)
Best Gross
Neil Cromwell (32 pts - back 6)
Presentation of Prizes: Saturday, 26 May at 6.30 pm sharp. All prizewinners are expected to attend.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain Brendan Smyth congratulates Brian Loney on winning the Club Stableford competition. Included are other prizewinners, Neil Cromwell, Paul Doyle and Andy Conn