Wednesday 23rd Open competition at Barnhill, played in glorious sunshine and blustery wind, proved a tight affair for three club members who will be high on the lists of team captains’ for 2014. 
Taking top honour was single handicapper and team regular Joe Coyle [6], who over the past few weeks has“raised the bar” in his standard of play.
With just one blemish on his card on front nine, a bogey at par three 8th, Joe reclaimed the shot with a birdie at par five 11th.
Dropping another shot at 13th was disappointing but Joe’s determination saw him sink another birdie at 17th to finish on level par gross 72 and 42pts.
Relegated to second place by virtue of BOT was another team candidate Nicholas Millier [16], taking his first prize of the new season.
Despite double bogeys at 1st and 13th, Nicholas’ birdies at 4th and 14th gave him 21pts over each nine and a one point margin over third placed Vincent Mc Glynn [8], taking his place in the top three in successive weeks.
Vincent’s scoring, with a double bogey at 6th and a birdie at 11th, left him just one over par thru 13th, [31pts], but unfortunate dropped shots at 14th and 17th had him return a 41pt. total.
With the Friday Open Stroke proving so popular now, with over forty entries, it was that man again Hugh Breslin [28], following his recent win in the Cat 4. competition, who led the field with a fine 23pts on inward nine giving him a 43pt. total.
Following in second place, just two points adrift, was ex-captain Brian O’Reilly [20] who regained points from his “blank” at 5th with a great birdie at 13th, only to lose out with a double bogey at 15th and finishing with 41pts.
Best gross on the day was collected by one of the club’s most consistant young golfers, junior member Christopher Duffy [5] with 33gross pts.
Sat. 26th Open was won by another Cat 4 member who is showing signs of vast improvement, Garvin Mc Gahey [25], picking up his second prize of late.
Despite “blanks” at 3rd and 17th, Gavin’s 22pts over front nine gave him good stead and helped him finish on 42pts.
In second place was another cat. 4. member, Jack Hickey [22], just one point behind on 41pts. Jack’s double bogey at 14th proving costly.
Sunday 27th confined competition was won emphatically
With the calibre of golf that we have grown to expect over the years from Kevin Kiely [9], making a concerted effort to attain his undoubted status of cat.1.
With back-to-back bogeys and birdies on the outward nine giving him a level par gross 36 and 23pts, Kevin’s only blemish on his way home was at 10th, followed by eight straight pars from 11th to 18th for an overall 73gross and 44 stableford points.
In runner-up spot was Junior member and stalwart of the Fred Daly team Jack Patton [6] who, with a string of birdies at 2nd, 7th, 13th and 16th culminating in a brilliant eagle three at par five eleven, finished on 40pts.
This weekend, Friday 2nd-Monday 5th, will feature a four day Bank Holiday golfing bonanza at Barnhill..
Book early to avoid disappointment.
Dates for the Diary:
Sat. 17th May hosts the club’s Team Classic, sponsored by Browns on the Green, and followed on Sunday 18th by the Irish Mixed Foursomes members competition.
The Friday Open “Meal Deal” continues during May on the following dates: Friday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.
Congratulations to Pat Mc Grath’s Ulster Fourball team who won their return GUI match on Sunday last. Having been 4 matches to one down from first leg, Pat’s team reversed the outcome with an emphatic 4&half to half match.
Important Note:
One of the highlights of the early season, the club’s Voucher competition, has been re-scheduled to Sunday 11th May.
Dress Code: All competitors are reminded that there is a dress code in operation for all competitions in Letterkenny Golf Club. Notices of proper [and unacceptable] clothing are highlighted around the clubhouse.