Martin clinches NI Open corporate qualifying spot

A further three points behind came Graham Martin (8). Through thirteen McCarry had opened up a two point advantage from D.Martin with Goodrich, Candlish, Rainey and G Martin all another three points back.

With two to play McCarry was swtill two points ahead of D.Martin. Two points behind D.Martin came Rainey followed by Goodrich and G.Martin another point down. Candlish was another two points adrift after a ‘ding’ up the Grove. Although D Martin (bogey, par) closed the gap at the head of affairs McCarry with a double bogey, par finish held on to win by one point. Third place went to G.Martin (par, par) another two points away.

At the turn in Division 2 Chris Nicholl (13) held a slender one point advantage over Martin Laverty (15) who in turn was two points ahead of John McCarley (15) and he was followed a further two points down by Henry Cubitt (14). Approaching the thirteenth tee the lead had changed with Laverty and McCarley two points ahead of Nicholl (‘ding’ at eleven) with Cubitt another point behind. Through sixteen McCarley was still one point ahead of Laverty with Nicholl and Cubitt another two points behind. McCarley came home bogey, par to win by two points from Laverty (two bogeys). Nicholl (bogey, par) and Cubitt (bogey, par) were another two points behind and with a better back nine Cubitt took the third place,.

Turning for home in Division 3 James Logan (18) and David Henry (18) were tying for the lead two points ahead of Robert Topping (17) and Timothy D’Arcy (18) with William Armstrong (19) a further two points behind. Approaching the Devils Elbow D’Arcy was leading by a point from Henry and Topping. Logan after a ‘ding’ at eleven was a further point down and a point ahead of Armstrong.

With two holes to play Henry had taken over to lead by one point from Topping with Logan and Armstrong closing to within a point of Topping. They were joined by a retreating D.Arcy after he failed to negotiate Beechers. Henry lost his chance of winning when he finished double bogey, ‘ding’ and Topping took advantage with a double bogey, bogey finish to win by one point from Henry and Logan (double bogey, bogey) who finished together and with a better back six Logan took second place with Henry third.

Ross Bennett (24) was leading in Division 4 after the front nine. Colin Orr (21 ) was two points behind followed by Barry Mott (27) another two points down.Through fourteen Orr had moved up into a two point lead from Bennett (‘ding’ at thirteen) and Mott.

Orr continued to lead and with two to play had increased his lead to three points over Mott with Bennett another three points behind after failing to score at the Grove. Orr came home bogey, par to win by five points from Mott (bogey, ‘ding’) and Bennett (bogey, par) who finished together and with a better back nine Mott took second place with Bennett third.

Michael Reid (-2) won the Gross and Aidan Donnelly (17) won the Seniors. Reid’s round included an eagle three at the par five ninth and three birdies.

Twos were recorded by: D Bamford, T Carroll, T Fleming, M Reid, R Simpson, W Simpson, P Kennoway, B Heggarty, A Murray, T Dodds and C Reid.

ULSTER FOURBALL

Due to an error in entry Mannan Castle were disqualified from the above competition and the match awarded to Galgorm Castle who now progress to the Second Round.

LADIES

April results from Galgorm Castle ladies’ section were:

April 3 - Bell and Thom Dentist - Singles Stableford: Winner - Pauline Thom 43 pts; Section A - Caroline Speers 37 pts; Section B - Roberta McFarland 36 pts.

April 10 - Peggy Nelson Qualifying / Silver Quaich - Singles Stableford: Division 1 - June Irvine 33 pts; Division 2 - Jean Bowens 40 pts; Division 3 - Patricia Blaney 35 pts. These 3 ladies go on to represent the club at Dunmurry Golf Club on Monday 21/7/14

Silver Quaich trophy winner - Jean Bowens

April 17 - Ultimate / Fortescue Boot - Singles Stroke: Overall winner - Sue Robinson nett 73; Section A - Pauline Thom nett 74; Section B - Julie Ann Kyle nett 75

April 24 - Australian Spoons Qualifying - Greensomes Stableford: Winners - Caroline Speers & Beth Moore 38 pts; Runners up - Susan McCarroll & Denise McCosh 37 pts

These 2 pairings go on to represent the club in the District Finals at Ballyclare Golf Club on Tuesday 29/7/14.