PICTURE GALLERY: Ballymena Golf Club Captain's Day

WILLIAM Montgomery joined an elite group of golfers who have won Captain's Day at Ballymena Golf Club on Saturday.

William posted the top score in John Brown's Captain's Day – the most sought-after prize of the golfing season at Raceview.

Commencing his round after midday, William, off a 21 handicap, had a very steady opening nine where he recorded 21 points, his only real blip being a double bogey on the fifth.

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The back nine did not start as he would have wished as he went bogey, double bogey but he had two shots on handicap here, and then he had a non-event on the 12th.

To his credit, he steadied up somewhat on the next four holes, which he played in one over gross but he dropped a shot at 17 and then two more shots disappeared on the final hole.

At the conclusion of the day, however, he had done enough by a single point margin.

Second prize was won by Ivan Hamilton (15) who had a total of 39 points, and on a better second nine hole total from Eugene Reid (15).

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Ivan set off with a par, bogey, bogey, par opening but a double bogey at the fifth was followed by a non-score on the sixth, which was quite a setback.

He fought back by parring the next three holes for a front nine total of 18 points. He entered the second nine with four straight pars followed by three bogeys plus a double bogey on 16 but a final hole par was very rewarding as his second nine total of 21 points was two better than third nett winner Reid.

Eugene was one over gross after six holes, only to double bogey the short par three seventh and he dropped shotson the eighth and ninth, yet still had 20 points.

The back nine was made up of five single bogeys, three pars and a double bogey on the 11th but his two pars on the last two holes were vital, giving him an additional 19 points.

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Dennis Stewart had quite a memorable day as not only did he finish fourth nett, he also holed his tee shot on the par three second which was probably quite pleasing to his playing partners.

Having commenced his round with a par, he suddenly found himself with eight points after two holes as he had a shot on handicap on each of the holes on the card.

Although he double-bogeyed the fourth, he finished the outward nine with a birdie and he had racked up 23 points by the turn.

The inward trip was a complete contrast as he only managed three pars along with bogyes at 12, 13 and 14 and he also 'dinged' both the 15th and 17th plus a double bogey at 11 left him with just 16 points on the way home – but at least he had that hole-in-one to celebrate.

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Allen Stewart (14) claimed the fifth nett prize with a total of 38 points and on a better last six total from Kevin McGarry.

A six on the opening hole was not the desired start but Allen still managed 19 points on the first nine holes. The closing nine showed him being two over gross for seven holes but double bogeys on the 11th and 17th proved costly as even two single bogeys would have given him top spot.

Ten-handicapper McGarry, despite having had a double concessionon the second hole, managed to score 19 points going out. His second nine was a picture of consistency where he scored eight straight fours, only to spoil the picture with a five on then last hole which left him with another 19 points.

The best gross card of the day was returned by four-handicapper Adam Brady, who shot a 70.

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A superb opening nine of three under was good scoring, made up of four pars, a bogey on the fifth and birdies on the third, fourth, eighth and ninth.

The inward nine saw Adam have six pars, a bogey at 15 plus double bogeys on the par three 10th and 14th which somewhat spoiled what could have been a round to remember.

Second gross prize went to Nigel Getty with a 72 which resulted from a one over front nine, while the back nine cost him three shots.Going into that back nine with three bogeys, he then played the last six holes in level par.

The veterans' prize was won by James McCloy (15) with a total of 37 points, of which 21 came from the second nine. Setting off at just after 7am, Jimmy's opening nine accounted for five bogeys, two double bogeys plus two pars for a mere 16 points, at which a prize was not on the horizon.

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The first three holes on the back nine were no better, having scored a par, bogey and two double bogeys but things clicked over the last five holes which were parred and were worth 15 points.

The Past Captains' prizewinner was Des McCartney (18), also with 37 points, of which the outward nine provided 18, despite a non-score on the sixth. The inward nine was one point better again despite another failure to score, this time on the 17th.

Brian Dempster (18) won the prize for club council members, also with 37 points, with 20 being scored on the front nine – that despite double bogeys at the fifth and sixth. The back nine accounted for four double bogeys which spoiled what could have been a superb card.

The visitors' prize was won by David Graham who used to be a member at Raceview, and a return of 38 points proved the seven-handicapper hadn't forgotten his way around.

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A first nine of level par gross was added to on the second nine with five bogeys plus four pars for that total of 38 points.

Nearest to the 18th pin in two shots was won by Jordan Lemon who settled any argument by holing his second shot.

The longest drive on the ninth came from Adam Brady and the putting prize went to Michael Scroggie who was five under. The juvenile prize went to Adam Heron.

LADIES

The Captain's lady prizes were played earlier in the week and the overall winner was Margaret Logan with 43 points.

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In Section 'A' Olive Montgomery was tops with 35 points while Section B was won by Janet Gaston who scored 38 points and Section C was won by Marita Flanagan with 39 points.

The best gross score came from Denise Harper who had 22 gross points.