John wins the Tel Jub sponsored tournament

‘Gentle giant’ John (14) managed to pick up four pars on the final four holes to put him level with Gary McCormick (11) on points and ahead on countback,

The conditions were close to perfect last Saturday for the latest big tournament at Banbridge Golf Club.

The number of competitors passed the 200 mark for the first time this season. Tel Jub Finance Ltd sponsored it, thanks to the kind auspices of Terry Malcolmson.

The standard of scoring was fantastic with all the prizewinners scoring 40 points or better.

John Convery (15), Kerry McCluskey (7), Gary McConville (12), John Parkes (14) and Andrew Burns (21) all scored 40 points.

John Parkes won the prize for best senior and Andrew Burns was runner-up in the high section (18+).

Wallace Henry (15), Declan Barry (9), Harry Shannon (16) and Kieran Magennis (5) each finished with 41 points. Wallace went home empty-handed; Declan was second in the low section (0-12) and Harry was second in the middle section (13-17). As for Kieran Magennis, he won one of the “big prizes” the much-coveted best gross. He went round in level par 69.

Gary McCormick (11) and Fergie Cosgrove (14) played really well to finish with 42 points each.

Gary won the low section and Fergie won the middle section. They both came very close to winning.

Johnny McKinstrey (23) was alone on 43 points and he finished top of the high section. Johnny came to grief at the short 15th hole. A bogey 4 would have given him the win but he unfortunately dinged the hole.

The top two players each scored 44 points.

Gary McCartney (11) went round in 72 shots, only 3 over par. He played the last seven holes in one under par, which was brilliant.

His only error was a double bogey at the short 12th. Gary would have won most weeks with this score but, on this occasion, he had to settle for second place.

John admitted that he had a huge slice of good fortune at the dogleg 16th hole. His drive was one of his worst this year, barely making the short grass.

He took a chance and fired a 3-wood over the trees. The pitch was far from easy but he held the green and sank the putt for a par. How decisive was that!

It was an amazing finish to a wonderful competition. And we have Captain’s Day coming up this Saturday. It couldn’t get any better.