Shannon Drainey wins the Ken Wylie Memorial

VERY few people join a golf club, get a handicap, play in their first major competition and win it.

That is exactly what young Shannon Drainey from Laurencetown did two Saturdays ago.

He has just recently been welcomed into the golf club as a junior member. He has secured a handicap of 20 and went out on Saturday May 26th to play in the Ken Wylie Memorial.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shannon shot a gross 83, nett 63, and that gave him a winning score of 42 stableford points. It is a unique story, that’s for sure. Shannon is not going to forget his first major win for a long time.

Scott Nelson (12 now 11), another promising young player, was runner-up with 41 points.

Adam McGregor (12 now 11), who won the Modern Tyre Services sponsored competition a few weeks ago, was third with 40 points.

Martin McAleenan (9), was fourth, also with 40 points. Martin was so excited a few weeks ago getting down to a single figure handicap. The way he’s going, it won’t be long before he’s playing off seven or eight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Raymond White (20 now 19) won the prize for best senior with his 40 points. Raymond has given great service to Banbridge Golf Club over a long many years. It’s just brilliant to see him still competitive and winning prizes.

Alan McVey (6 now 5) won the best gross prize with a 71. He too had 40 stableford points.

It was nice to see that the six players who scored 40 points or better were all rewarded with a prize.

Gary McGrath (15), Dominic McArdle (24 now 23), Dougie Stevenson (15 now 14), John Bell (6 now 5) and Joseph Thompson (19 now 18) all came close with 39 points each.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A further 8 players broke the calculated standard scratch score of nett 68 (37 points) when they all finished with 38 points.

Richard Huey (20) led this group and he was joined by David Thompson (19), Jack Bickerstaff (21), Michael Allison (9), Paul Downey (14), Philip Strong (21), Robert Clydesdale (17) and Jonathan Burns (5).

Paul Wylie always organises this competition in memory of his late father. The proceeds go to charity and Paul provides excellent prizes. They will be presented at the end of the season.

We will then get the opportunity to applaud young Shannon Drainey on his debut victory. Quite a story!