Paul the clear winner at Lambeg

THIS week’s stableford competition at Lambeg Golf Club was for the PGA Tankard and Paul Jackson (20) was the clear winner with a magnificent 45pts.
Paul Murray, Paul Jackson (winner) and Raymond Rodgers at Lambeg GC.Paul Murray, Paul Jackson (winner) and Raymond Rodgers at Lambeg GC.
Paul Murray, Paul Jackson (winner) and Raymond Rodgers at Lambeg GC.

Paul’s only slip on the front nine was a double bogey at the par three 5th but a birdie at the next, followed by three straight pars more than made up for that. This gave him an impressive 24pts for the front nine and put him well ahead of his nearest rivals. A couple of double bogeys on the back nine was outweighed by the four pars and he ended with 21 pts to give him the winning total of 45 pts.

Colin Loughins (13) was second with a brilliant 44pts and what a display of consistant golf it was. Colin hit 13 pars, four single bogeys and only one double bogey at the par three 8th which probably cost him the winners spot.

Two past captains fought out for third place when they both finished on 43pts but it was Jim Robinson (20) who came through after the count-back scoring no less than seven pars in the back nine. Last year’s captain David Hilland (21) was the player to lose out and will regret the double bogey on the last. Best Gross was won by Michael English (10) 71 (5 over par). The Wednesday hat was won by Aaron Smylie (26) with 39pts.

Next week’s competition is a stroke competition and is sponsored by Hoover/Candy kitchen appliances.

In the Ulster Four-Ball, Lambeg G.C. got off to a great start in their first round encounter with local rivals Dunmurry G.C. with a 4 1/2 to 1/2 win at Aberdelghy. Team Captain, Ritchie Gorman could not have asked for more from his team with a result well beyond expectations. Mark Neeson and Tom Craig were the first out and never went behind throughout the match, reaching the turn 1 up. Wins at the 12th, 13th,and 14th put them 4 up with four to play. A half at fifteen was all that was required to seal a great 4 and 3 win and that they did. Second out was Stephen Boyd and Mark Williamson.Their front nine was a bit of a disaster going three down after 8 but made a remarkable recovery winning the 10th, 12th and 14th to bring it back to all square. it remained like this until the 17th when Mark dropped a 20ft putt from just off the green. They also took the 18th after Dunmurry conceded when the half was at least secured to give the boys a 2 up win. The third match was a close encounter throughout with none of the teams really taking hold of the game and it finished on the 18th all square. Club President Brian Bates and Brian McGonigle represented Lambeg in that match. In the fourth match Bobby Meehan and Glen Hunter went 3 up in the earlier stages but Dunmurry pulled them back to 1 up after nine. It stayed like this until Lambeg took 15th and 16th to win 3 and 2. The last match was a very close affair up to the 11th hole with Lambeg holding on to a 1 hole lead. David Hilland and John McArdel moved up a couple of gears and won the next four holes to score an amazing 5 and 4 win for Lambeg and a 4 1/2 to 1/2 lead to take to Dunmurry on May 19 for the return match. Although this gives Lambeg a good chance to progress into the next round it is by no means over as Dunmurry are quite capable of reversing the score or bettering it at their home course. Lambeg have 14 holes and this could very well be the deciding factor.