Kearney sails to victory in RNLI charity competition at Raceview

On Saturday, the first leg of the 54-hole Harry Harper stroke championship was down for decision along with the RNLI charity competition and the O’Hagan Salver - a gross competition for members with a handicap of 13-plus.

The RNLI competition was won by Paddy Kearney who, off a six handicap, played the course in one under gross for a nett total of 61.

Having commenced his round at 7am, Paddy set a target for the day which no-one else was able to catch.

The opening nine holes contained six pars plus birdies at the third, sixth and ninth, while the closing nine was made up of five pars, a birdie on the 11th while Paddy dropped shots on the 13th, 14th and 15th.

This score also led the Harry Harper competition, to which he would be hoping to another good round in order to be one of the top 20 qualifiers for the final round.

Kenny Morrison (21) took second spot with a nett score of 62 which contained three pars, birdies on the fourth and 17th but against that he had nine bogeys and four double bogeys.

Nevertheless, it was a fine score and he will also be hoping to continue his progress in the harry Harper event.

Paul Shaw (19) was another early bird, clocking in at 7.10am, and he returned a superb score of nett 63 and a better second nine saw him oust Ivan Hamilton from third place.

Paul commenced his round with six single bogeys, followed by a birdie, double bogey and par. The back nine included four bogeys, two double bogeys, pars on the 13th and 16th and he birdied the 15th, which amounted to seven over on each nine.

Hamilton (16) had a superb first nine of seven pars plus dropped shots at the fifth and eighth. It was always going to be a tough task to maintain that high standard and his second nine wasn’t up to the mark with seven bogeys, a double bogey on the 12th plus a lone par on the 13th for his nett 63.

Ferguson McKelvey (10) posted a round of nett 64 and on a better second nine from William Andrews (24).

McKelvey had a total of 10 pars, a birdie on the fourth plus seven bogeys in yet another fine score from an early starter.

Andrews, another who checked in at an early time, posted a nett 64 to claim the sixth nett prize, as well as a great start to the harry Harper.

Playing off an allowance of 24 shots, William played each nine in 10 over - that with a triple bogey on the final hole - and if he can save even one shot on some of the double bogeys, he could be a contender at the finish of the competition.

Gary Black (1) won the bets gross prize with a round of level par 68 shots.

The front nine saw Gary going three under where he scored four par, a dropped shot at the fifth plus birdies on the second, fourth, sixth and ninth.

Into the back nine with two pars, then a dropped shot which he retrieved on the next hole, only to go bogey, double bogey but he completed his round with a trio of pars.

O’HAGAN SALVER

Clifford Worthington (13) got his name on the O’Hagan Salver with a gross score of 11 over par 79.

Clifford’s outward nine holes saw him eight over but he managed to get his game under control on the inward nine where he scored five pars, two bogeys, a double bogey on the 16th and a birdie on the 13th for a nine hole total of three over.

WORKMAN MEMORIAL

The Andy Workman memorial competition proved a successful day for the club’s younger members with the winner being Jake Carson (8) who posted a total of 41 points.

The other prizewinners were also youthful members, namely Jonathan Law and Philip Mcpeake, while the gross prize was won by Richard Campbell.

Carson played the first nine in level par gross for 22 points while his second nine contained four pars, two bogeys, a triple bogey at 11 plus birdies at the 10th and 13th for an additional 19 points.

Second prize winner Law (3) was through the front nine in two under gross and the back nine was one over. In total he scored 11 pars, three bogeys and birdies at the second, fourth, seventh and ninth.

Third prize went to McPeake (18) with 39 points, of which 23 came on the front nine where he was four over, but the back nine produced only 16 points, which included a non-score on the 11th.

Campbell (6) scored equal nines of 36 shots to be four over which won the best gross prize.

INTER-CLUB

Congratulations go to the East Antrim Juniors team who have won their section in the league.

They visited Ballyclare and won 3.5-1.5 - Andrew Adams won 3/2, Tom Ballentine won 5/4, Philip Mcpeake won 4/3 while Callum Black secured a half point.

LADIES

It’s been a busy time for the lady members at Raceview with three competitions up for grabs in recent weeks.

Elaine Mark got the ball rolling with success in the Bill Rainey Cup when her accumulation of 37 points saw her finish one ahead of runner-up Teresa Kelly.

The Telford Cup Stroke event was next up and the top prize went to Liza Small, who completed her 18 holes with a fantastic nett 67. Sandra Douglas filled the second spot this time round with a score of 70.

And, in the Colleen Kerr Memorial Cup there was a close finish when Hilary Hendron edged out Yvonne Fullerton courtesy of a better back nine. Both ladies finished with 37 points in the stableford event.