Josh wins the Wylie Memorial

The calculated standard scratch score was nett 67 or 38 stableford points.

This was equalled by Quentin Boyce (18), John Doran (14), Joe Thompson (17), Andrew Quinn (7), Laurence Bramall (15), Verdun Bond (14), Robert Haire (20), Eamon Galloway (20), Keith Steenson (8) and Paul McAleavey (5).

Six players managed to score 39 points and that elite group included the best gross winner and the best senior.

The sizzling six were Jim Minnis (12), Sydney Pepper (12), Neil Clydesdale (5), Steven Wilton (13), Connor Doran (plus 1) and Merton McDowell (20).

Connor Doran is gearing up for the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush and he would appear to be in top form. His gross 65, four under par, in this competition was an absolutely brilliant round of golf.

Sydney Pepper, the club captain, has had a very successful week. He won the Seniors Open at Dungannon last Wednesday and then won the senior prize in the Ken Wylie Memorial. He is still on a high after all the excitement of Captain’s Day.

Another talented group of six players scored 40 points. They were John Crothers (11), Ian Boyce (14), Matthew Connolly (12), Ivan Rushe (12), Rory Madeley (5) and David Cherry (10).

Forty points is a super score but, on this particular day, seven players did even better.

Jonathan Ward (40) shot a 67 gross for his 41 points. He missed a nett prize by one shot and a gross prize by two. But Jonathan doesn’t worry as long as his handicap keeps coming down.

Aidan Lavery (18) also had 41 points and he finished in sixth place.

Mark Carson (13) was fifth with 41 points and he was cross with himself. It seems that he had victory within his grasp but let it slip. Don’t let it worry you, Mark. It happens to someone every Saturday. Next time, you won’t let it slip.

Now for the four top prizewinners!

Charlie McCartan (20) was fourth with 42 points. Charlie gets great enjoyment out of the game of golf and never gets too upset. If he plays well and gets a good score, it’s a bonus. This was one of his better games and only three players finished ahead of him.

Joe Whiteside (17) was third with 42 points. Gone are his chances of playing on the Junior Cowdy team as his handicap drops below 18.

Joe had an amazing round and, if you are foolish enough to ask him, he will tell you every shot. Suffice to say, Joe started 7, 6, 5, 4, 9, and he was nine over par after five holes. Lots of people would have given up but not our Joe. He knuckled down and played the remaining 13 holes in only two over par. That was impressive. For once, his friend William Porter was lost for words.

The top two places were taken by juveniles and two fine young men they are.

In second place came Chris McAvoy (14) with 43 points. This is one talented young player who could be playing off single figures before the end of the summer.

As for the winner, Josh Lockhart (10), what can I say? This lad had the chance to shoot the lowest nett score ever. Standing on the 17th tee, he was one over par gross and he needed a 4-3 finish for a nett 56.

The tricky 17th caught him out and he took eight shots at the hole. Unperturbed, Josh birdied the final hole for a winning score of 44 points.

This is the same Josh who had the hole in one during Captain’s Week. We are going to hear a lot more of Josh in the coming months and years.

It really is great to see the emergence of young talented golfers at the club. Josh and Chris are two of the best.