Jim bounces back from early trouble to win Professional’s Prize

On Saturday, July 5, the members played for John Dolan’s Professional’s Prize at Dunmurry Golf Club.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2014, 15:00 BST
Jim Porter (right) had a great day on Saturday, picking up 44 points and claiming the Professionals Prize at Dunmurry. Here he is with his fourball of Colin Ridell, Stephen Donaghy and Ian Halliday.Jim Porter (right) had a great day on Saturday, picking up 44 points and claiming the Professionals Prize at Dunmurry. Here he is with his fourball of Colin Ridell, Stephen Donaghy and Ian Halliday.
Jim Porter (right) had a great day on Saturday, picking up 44 points and claiming the Professionals Prize at Dunmurry. Here he is with his fourball of Colin Ridell, Stephen Donaghy and Ian Halliday.

The in-form Jim Porter playing off 21, was the clear winner with a magnificent 44 pts. However, after picking up only four points in the first three holes, victory looked a long way off. He recovered thanks to a five at the 6th, and pars at the 7th and 8th to claim 20 points on the front nine.

On the back nine he returned two pars on the 10th and 12th plus a birdie three on the 17th and bogeys at the other holes for 24 points on the back nine and 44 points overall.

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Second place went to five handicapper Andrew Cochrane who went round in one under par 69 for 42 points. The highlight of his round was birdies at 7th, 10th, 12th and 14th.

In third place was eight handicapper Ian Partridge who returned 41 pts. Ian only dropped four shots in his round and a birdie at the 9th, and it was a one over par 36 on the back nine for 21 points that clinch third spot.

In fourth place was Joe Young (11) who had a tremendous front nine of 23 points but he slipped up on the back nine only claiming 18 pts and had to settle for 41 points.

Frankie Quinn playing off 22, had a slow start to the front nine only picking up 17 pts but thanks to five pars on the way home, he returned 23 points for 40 points to clinch fifth spot on the better back nine.

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The gross prize was won by Glen McAuley, fresh from his wins in the Senior Cup at Knock last Sunday. Like at Knock, Glen had a quiet front nine of level par 35, despite dropping a shot of the 10th he followed it up with birdies at the 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th for a four under 31 back and a score of 66.

OTHER RESULTs

Senior Open (Tuesday, 1st July)

Eddie Gregg 41 pts; 2, N. Bissett (Lisburn) 40 pts; 3, Robin Smythe 39 pts.

Wednesday Semi Open (2nd July)

1, Jack Scullion 42 pts; 2, B. Ross (Shandon Park) 41 pts; 3, Daryl Roberts 41 pts; 4, Duncan Fleming 40 pts.

Gross – Glenn McAuley 70.