While early April usually marks the start of the golfing season with the Augusta Masters, the Ladies of County Armagh Golf Club begin their golfing endeavours in earnest on the last Thursday of April with competition for the Millennium Bowl for golfers in the handicap range of 0-24, and the McCall Shield for golfers in the 25 to 36 handicap bracket.
The Millennium Bowl was donated by the Lady Captain in 2000, Mrs. Cecelia Woods while the McCall Shield was donated by Flo McCall during her captaincy in 2009.
Lady Captain Elizabeth Mawhinney and Anne O'Reilly sponsor with prize winners of the Millennium Bowl and McCall Shield stroke competition
Lady Captain Elizabeth Mawhinney warmly welcomed Anne O'Reilly who presented the prizes on behalf of the sponsors for the event O'Reilly and Fee, Veterinary Surgery and thanked her most sincerely for their extremely generous support. Elizabeth was also delighted to welcome Cecilia Woods and Flo McCall who were the original donors of the trophy and shield.
Competition was keen for both trophies and while the course was in magnificent shape, the chilly and blustery conditions presented players with a stern challenge. This was reflected in the standard scratch of 72.
The Millennium Bowl was won by Francis Davidson with a magnificent nett score of 68, with second place honours going to Gail Steed with a score of 71 just ahead of Alexandra Mawhinney who came third with a score of 72.
The front and back nine prizes for the Millennium Bowl competition were won by Brigid McEneaney nett 32 and Teresa McVeigh net 40.
The McCall Shield was won by the in form Emma Garrigan with a net score of 70 points. Second place went to Jacqueline Donnelly with a net 75 winning on a break of tie from last year's winner of the shield, Lyne Browne.
The front and back 9 prizes in the Shield were won by Joy Steenson net 35 and Carmel Cassidy net 40.
Mary Knott won the 9-hole competition with 15 points.
The category prizes were awarded to: _
Category A Valerie Gordon Net 75
Category B Pauline Gingles Net 76
Category C Donna Carolan Net 76
Category D Anne O'Hea Net 83
Birdies were returned by Brigid McEneaney with a 2 @ 3 rd , Francis Davidson a 4 @ 10 th and Gail Steed a 4 @ 12 th .
Fifty-one ladies competed in the main competition with a further nine participating in the nine-hole competition. Both Francis and Emma, in their acceptance speeches thanked Cecilia and Flo and for the donation of the respective trophies. They also paid tribute to the generosity of the sponsors, O'Reilly and Fee.
Lady Captain Elizabeth wished the Junior Foursomes Team good luck in their return match with Warrenpoint on Friday and the Minor Cup Team success in their home match against Foyle on Sunday. She also encouraged all those who were available to take part in the Vintage Competion scheduled for a shotgun start on Friday 4 th at 2 o'clock followed by afternoon tea to mark the anniversary of the founding of the club in 1893.