Richard's in the Black for Professional's Prize

Richard's in the Black for professional's prize

RICHARD Black squeezed out the extra point on the back nine to take the honours in County Armagh Club Professional Alan Rankin's annual stableford competition.

With no less than four players returning top scores of 40points, the evenutal line-up of winners had to be determined in countback. And with 20 points - one more than each of his equals over the back nine holes - Richard claimed the prize.

Tom Calvert and John Lowe were second and third respectively. John however, will be cursing a 'no score' on the par three third hole while for Tom a single point at the par three 11th hole ultimately cost him the top prize.

Richard's winning 40 points was accumulated in not the easiest of windy and showery conditions. Steady scoring however, saw him register 20 points by the turn, and a similar score on the homeward trek proved to be a winning formula.

'Uncle Tom' Calvert was just two over gross after nine holes bringing home 21 points, but bogey's at the 12 and 14th holes, and a hattrick of bogeys to finish restricted him to a further 19 points.

Handicap Convenor's asistant John Lowe might have been way ahead of the field at the half-way stage had he not failed to score at the third hole, but his double-bogey at 14 added to his demise and third prize.

Keith Stewart was the other golfer to return a top score of 40 points and it earned him first prize in the 13-18 handicap category. Runner up was Colin Gmable on 39 points.

Gervase Hughes led home the low handicappers with 39 points. Alec Nesbitt was runner up, but spare a thought for Kyle Wilson who finished with 39 points, failed to sign his card and was disqualified!

Benny Simpson's 38 points secured first prize in the 19-28 handicap category with Oision McKee runner up on 37 points.

And for a second week running, Conor McGurgan picked up the Best Gross prize with 35 gross points.