Nicki turns on the style
Nicki Daly turned on the style at County Armagh to lift the prestigious Lonsdale Cup with a superb winning round producing a nett 63 score.
The 13-handicapper's six-over par round was two clear shots better than the huge field which had registerd for the annual Digby's Restaurant, Killlylea sponsored open stroke competition.
Even blustery conditions failed to deter the determined Daly who, on his outward trek, pencilled in five pars and a birdie two at the seventh hole. His two-over par tally at the turn however, was quickly doubled at the 10th hole with a double-bogey seven registered. But he followed up with a par at the next and back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th holes. Another double bogey at the par-four 14th hole threatened to ruin the day, but again he steadied the ship and with a bogey, bogey, par, par finish it was always going to take an exceptional score to deny Daly the trophy.
Jonathan Black, among the prize-winners the previous night in the Mixed Greensomes, was Daly's closest challenger - two shots adrift with a nett 65 score. The 21-handicapper produced a steady round with birdies at the fifth and 12th holes the highlight.
Five players produced scores of nett 68 and in the obvious countback it was Jim McKeown who just edged it in front of the others to take thrid prize. Pat Brannigan's better back nine claimed fourth prize, his par at the 18th the ultimate decider. And Derek Little secured fifth with a four and five over par front and back nine respectively.
Paul McCann from Ashfield Golf Club was one of two visiting prizewinners on the day, his nett 68 taking sixth and pushing Darren Hughes to the back of the prize list.
Craig Talbot's house-shifting stress of late and back pain as a result, failed to deny him the Best Gross prize with a gross 73 - his better back-nine just squeezing out Mourne Golf Club's Stephen Barker who also returned a gross 73.
Pictured receiving the coveted Lonsdale Trophy from competition sponsor, Michael Macklin (Digby's Restaurant, Killylea) is Nicky Daly, together with Club Captain Brendan Smyth and at back, Patrick Brannigan and runner-up Jonathan Black
Nett Results
1st Nicki Daly (nett 63) - Winner of the Lonsdale Cup
2nd Jonathan Black (nett 65)
3rd Jim McKeown (nett 68 - back 9)
4th P J Brannigan (nett 68 - back 9)
5th Derek Little (nett 68 - back 9)
6th Paul McCann (Ashfiled G. C. - nett 68 - back 9)
7th Darren Hughes (nett 68)
Gross Results
1st Craig Talbot (gross 73 - back 9)
2nd Stephen Barker (Mourne G. C. - gross 73)
Presentation of Prizes: Saturday, 2nd June at 9.30 pm - NOTE CHANGE OF TIME!
Prizewinners expected to attend as a matter of courtesy to our Sponsors. No further communication regarding Presentation.
Visitors Prizes will be posted out to the respective Golf Clubs.
Competiton Convenor - 26 May 2012