Captain’s Prize 2019

Prize winners

1 Graham Douglas 73 – 5 – 68

2 Barry Murphy 94 – 26 – 68

3 Jim McKee 72 – 4 – 68

Gross Patrick Jordan 69

Section 1 Neale McKinstry 78 – 9 – 68

Section 2 Douglas Houston 85 – 17 – 68

Section 3 Maurice Turnbull 94 – 25 – 69

Seniors’ Seamus Cushley 86 – 14 – 72

Council Prize Eugene Maguire 84 – 14 – 70

Past Captains’ Artie McGlone 88 – 16 – 72

Intermediate Ryan Harbinson 72 – 4 – 68

Nearest Captain’s Drive Barry Mulholland

Longest Drive Nathan McCann

Visitors’ 1 Roy Brown (Lisburn) 88 – 13 – 75

2 Colm McIlroy (Holywood)

Ladies Nett Niamh McSherry (-1.5) 36pts

Gross Christine Hagan (7) 26 gross pts

9 Hole Katie Allen (13) 18pts

Nearest pin at 8 Caolan McCann 4 feet

Nearest pin at 17 Chris Gilkinson 18 inches

The Douglas name has found its way onto many notable trophies over the years, but it had never joined the roll-call of Captain’s Day winners until Saturday when Graham covered the course in 73 shots, off 5, to take Captain Neil Dillon’s prize with a nett 68. A birdie at 10 and four bogeys made for a very steady round in difficult conditions, and it confirmed his place as the pre-eminent golfer in the household.

Barry Murphy took the runners-up prize and only missed out on the top spot on the back 9, while Jim McKee had to settle for third place, also on the back 9.

Friday’s conditions were very difficult, evidenced by a CSS of 73. This made Patrick Jordan’s 69, the only sub-par round of the weekend, all the more remarkable. He took the gross prize helped by birdies at 4, 7 and 17.

Douglas Houston has long been tipped for the top and recent performances have strengthened these claims. His nett 68 lifted the prize for Section 2, and it included 8s at the 15th and 18th holes, so he will be harbouring a few thoughts of what might have been.

With Eugene Maguire lifting the Council prize and Barry Mulholland’s first shot landing closest to the Captain’s drive, it meant there was a place in the prizes for both Captain Neil’s predecessor and successor.

The pin at 17 was placed in its most difficult position, so there must be a very broad smile on Chris Gilkinson’s face as he looks back on a tee shot which landed a mere 18 inches from the pin, surely a contender for shot of the day.

Over 300 golfers took to the fairways in, for the most part, perfect weather, and the atmosphere around the club over the weekend couldn’t have been bettered. A big thanks are due to the Captain and the many who helped him make the weekend such a resounding success. Best wishes to Neil for the rest of the year, and many thanks for your many efforts on behalf of the Club.