Heavy rain closes course at Lisburn

AFTER the brilliant sunshine last Friday, Lisburn golfers were looking forward to good weather on Saturday. The weather forecasters proved correct as the drizzle in the early morning got steadily heavier and by lunch time many parts of the course were flooded making it unfit for play. The course was closed and the competition cancelled.

Valerie Rooney and Daphne Houston with team captain Julie Robinson (centre).

Improved weather conditions on Sunday enabled five teams to play their matches. The Rossmore Cup team lost to Downpatrick but Ian Suffern got a valuable point with Tommy Beattie securing a half.

After a disappointing result at Tandragee the Ronan Rafferty team went out of the competition when Mark McNellis lost his match at home. The other games were close when called in.

The Junior Cowdy Cup team lost to a very strong Mannan Castle by 3 1/2 to 1/2. Andy Gibb and Terry Gilmore secured a half while Martin McDonald and Michael Rooney played well only to lose on the 17th.

The Ulster fourball betterball team got off to a great start in their match against Loughgall winning 4 1/2 to 1/2 at home. Des Kerr and Paul Thompson were five up at the turn and went on to win by 4 and 3. Jason Smiley and Alan McCarthy did even better by winning on the 12th green. Billy Friars & Ciaran Lyness and Barry McQuillan & Barry Cathcart were also winners. The closest match involved the Lisburn captain Dr Sam Moore. Playing with Chris Scott he halved the only match to reach the final green.

The Mixed foursomes team topped the qualifiers at Knock. David Armstrong and Daphne Houston recorded the best score of the day with a net 66. They finished on a high note with Daphne pitching stone dead from 90 yards to the final green for a par four. Vivien Walsh holed a couple of long putts for a round of 74 with Paul Watters. Brian Houston & Valerie Rooney and Ken Haslem & Bernie McDonald completed the scoring. Lisburn now play Shandon Park at Knock.

Wednesday Stableford: 1st Philip Stewart 39pts, 2nd Brian Sparkes 39pts, 3rd William Friars 39pts.