County Down Outlook - Sports - Open week at Kilkeel

Sports

Open week at Kilkeel

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

THERE were plenty of competitions to keep Kilkeel's players occupied during the club's open week last week.
Saturday, July 10 - Gents Open Stableford
The Open Week competitions kicked off last Saturday July 10 with the open stableford competition. Kevin Magee got the open week off to a flying start with a great win. Kevin is no stranger to picking up prizes this season and he started his game off with a great par at the first and followed that up with five more at the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th making the turn with 22 points under his belt.
Kevin started his back nine with another par and again on the 11th and 12th, before dropping shots at the next two holes where he had two double bogies. Kevin regained his composure and scored a great par on the difficult 15th, dropped another shot at the 16th but parred his way home on 17 on 18 and finished with an impressive 12 pars in total and 43 pts. David McCartan took 2nd place with 42 pts and Robert Stewart was 3rd with 40 pts. Sean P McVeigh won best gross with a 74.
Sunday, July 11 - Open Mixed Greensomes Competition
Maldwyn & Tracy Hanna were the winners with 41 points closely followed by Danny & Marie McGivern with 40 points taking second spot on the last hole from J & G McCartan, who finished in 3rd.
Monday, July 12 - Gents Open Stableford
Played on Monday, 12 July, this was the pick of the days from a weather point of view. Three guesses as to who took the 1st prize? Kevin Magee again with 44 points. Kevin didn't allow getting cut by 3 shots after his win on Saturday to deter him as he focused himself on playing another great round. He began with 4 pars then dropped a shot at the 5th but followed it up with 2 pars at 6th and 7th.
After dropping another couple of shots on 8th and 9th Kevin made the turn with 21 points and continued with his good form going down the back nine with three consecutive pars then his first birdie of the day at 13th. Another shot was dropped on the 14th but along came birdie number two, followed by another par, as Kevin finished his back nine with 23points and a massive 44 in total. Ian Graham took second place with 42 points with a better back nine from Aidan Donnelly who also had 42 pts. William J Hanna had the best gross of 74.
Tuesday, July 13 - Gents Open Stableford
After winning the best gross on the the previous day William J Hanna with a handicap of one shot a very impressive round of 68 with seven birdies and eight pars he only dropped shots on three holes. William had 41 points. A fantastic score card indeed. Brian Speers playing of 5 was second with 40 points, Robert Massey was third with 40 points. Liam Burns had the best gross with 75.
Thursday, July 15 - Gents Open Stroke
Oliver Sloan won the day with a a brilliant nett 66, Oliver had three pars and a net score of 35 shots at the turn. Oliver turned up the gas on his back nine with three pars and then a bogie at the 13th followed by a tripple bogie at the 14th. After that he settled down and parred the remaining 4 holes giving him a net 31 shots on the way in and 66 in total. Victor Quinn with a net 68 and with a better back nine took second place from Leigh Campbell who also had 68. Paddy Gribben took best gross prize with a 68.
Friday, July 16 - Gents 4 Ball Betterball
Jimmy Jones and Eric Nicholson were first with 43 points (last six) from Joe McComb and Ivan Mark also on 43 points (with a better back 9) and 3rd with 43 points were C Rowland and J Rowland.
Saturday, July 17 - Gents Open Stableford
Michael Clarke left it until the final day of open week to get on the winning rostrum. Michael parred the 1st but dropped shots on the next three holes before parring the next two. He turned with 21 points in the bag and with only two more pars on his back nine Michael had another 21 points, giving him 42 points for his round and first place. Simon McMullen, just one point behind, took 2nd place. Andrew Annett was 3rd with 40 pts. Best gross winner was Jonathan Beale with 72.
Prize Night
The Open Week was very well supported this year and it was a resounding success despite the inclement weather. The Captain, Mr Christy Quinn, thanked all of the sponsors for their support throughout the week and they helped to make this year's open week the success that it was. Liam McCartan's greens staff, headed up by Gabriel Loughran (Head Green Keeper) were praised by the Captain for the magnificent condition that the course was in.
The condition of the course was appreciated by all who played during open week and no more than the three players who achieved a hole in one. The Lady Captain Mrs Adrianne McCullough achieved her hole in one on Sunday last on the 15th green, Francis Fallon achieved his hole in one on Thursday whilst playing in the gents open stroke competition and Joe Annett playing in the seniors open had his hole in one on the previous week, also on 15th green.
Council members were on "Ticket Selling Duty" during open week and it was a good week for the ticket sales. Thanks goes out to all who gave up their time to man the ticket selling station from the Captain. The tickets are for a new ride on buggy, valued at £4000, and can be seen on display where it is parked in front of the shop. Second prize is 1 years membership subscription to the golf club. All proceeds are to raise funds for the club.
Seniors
Seniors Open Wednesday, July 14
The Senior open competition was won by Eugene Creelman with 41 points. In second place was Captain Christy Quinn with 40 points and in 3rd place with 39 points was Hugh Barton. Joe Annett was buying drinks at the bar after his hole in one at the 15th.
Ulster Cup
Lesley Edgar took his team to Silverwood Golf Club in Lurgan on Sunday, July 18 for their first leg match. The result was 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 meaning Kilkeel are 8 holes down, but Lesley is confident his team will make up the deficit in the home leg.
Ulster 4 Ball
Damien Sands' team were at home to Armag for their second leg match,trailing Armagh by five holes from the first leg. It was a tall order but Damien's men played some great golf in the torrential rain and brought the match back to five all but Armagh had the rub of the green with 20 & 30 yrd puts dropping in on far too many occasions for Kilkeel's liking.
Armagh go through to the next round, winning by just two holes. Damien would like to thank all those players who played so well for him and the club.
Rossmore Cup
The Vice Captains team will be at home this week taking on Omagh in the first leg match, with a place in the semi final at stake.