Competitive golf, by its very nature, is more often than not an individual and somewhat selfish pursuit. However, on the weekend of 25-26 March, players at County Armagh Golf Club were given an opportunity to showcase their collaborative qualities.
In a four-ball better-ball competition held on the Saturday, John George Willis and Paul Doyle combined to take top spot with a magnificent winning score of 49 points. Six-handicapper Doyle provided the flair with birdies at the 1st, 3rd, 13th and 14th holes, while Willis, a more than able assistant, offered a steady hand at the prizewinning tiller with several timely contributions.
Second place was filled by Michael Cullen and Tom Fox, who carded 48 points. Highlights of this deadly duo's day included Tom's two at the 7th and Michael's spectacular birdie at the hardest hole on the course, the infamous 16th.
County Armagh Golf Club's long-standing association with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke continued with a two-day stableford event on 18 and 19 March.
Point-scoring was admirably high despite a weekend of largely unkind golfing conditions, as players had the opportunity to compete on both Saturday and Sunday and, therefore, take two bites at the prizewinning cherry.
The competition's worthy winner was Oliver Connell, who carded an unmatchable 47 points. Comprising nine pars and nine bogeys, Connell's gross 79 was a model of unwavering excellence.
If a preceding spell of pleasant weather had hinted at the arrival of spring at County Armagh Golf Club, those who competed in the St Patrick's Day Open will testify to that not necessarily being the case just yet.
However, on a day when howling winds and persistent rain did their best to dampen spirits at celebratory parades across the country, Ian O'Hea's procession to victory in this stableford competition simply wouldn't be blown off course.
In a peerless round of 46 points, O'Hea hunted down pars with all the relentless zeal that one imagines St Patrick himself might have pursued a 5th century snake to the Irish coastline.
1st Team Gavin McEmeel, Tomas McEmeel, Conor McGuigan, Malachy McSorley 104 points
2nd Team Tommy Mackin, Danny McGee, Francis Smyth, Shea Smyth 100 points (back 9)
3rd John Lowe, Eamon O'Hagan, Danny Maxwell, Colm McElroy 100 points (back 6)
Prize vouchers can be collected from the Pro Shop.
Competitions Convenor 2017.
1st John George Willis & Paul Gerard Doyle 49 points
2nd Tom Fox & Michael Cullen 48 points (back 6)
3rd Christopher Lester & Lee Stewart 48 points
Prize vouchers can be collected from the Pro Shop.
Competitions Convenor 2017.
1st Oliver Connell 47pts.
2nd Christopher Lester 46pts.
Category 1
1st Jonathan McKnight 42pts(back nine)
2nd Ian Beaddie 42pts.
Category 2
1st Tommy Mackin 41pts.
2nd Terry Chin 40pts.
Category 3
1st Ciaran McCreesh 38pts.
2nd Benny Simpson 37pts(back nine)
Prize vouchers will be available for collection in Pro. shop from Wed. 22nd March.
Mens Results
1st Ian O'Hea 46 points
2nd Neil Dowzell 43 points
3rd Paul Corvan 39 points (back 9)
Ladies Results
1st Lynne Brown 33 points
2nd Paula McCrory 29 points
Prize vouchers can be collected from the Pro Shop.
Competitions Convenor 2017