McLean dazzles in sunshine at Ballycastle GC

Ballycastle was bathed in Mediterranean sunshine over the weekend with Liam McLean victorious in Saturday’s Glenshesk Cup Open Seniors competition with an excellent score of 42 points.

Most golfers on Saturday were brought to their knees by a combination of baking temperatures, hard ground and capricious breeze but Liam, playing off sixteen, seemed to relish the conditions as he recorded birdies at the fifth and sixth before completing his last four holes in two under par for a comprehensive four shot victory.

Second place went to eighteen handicapper Donal Gillan who closed with a birdie at the last to give him 38 points.

Thomas McLean started with a brilliant eagle at the opening hole and the twenty-one handicapper went on to finish in third place with a total of 37 points.

A trio of golfers recorded 36 points in the Glenshesk Cup with Garth Beckett taking fourth spot, David Getty finishing fifth and Whitehead member David Rea in sixth place overall.

Sean McLean completed a very successful event for the McLean brothers as he won the category A prize with a score of 35 points. Martin McGuigan picked up the category B prize, also with a score of 35 points.

A competition was also held on Saturday for those not yet eligible to take part in the Glenshesk Cup.

James McKay won first prize with a total of 38 points followed by Terence Bakewell in second with 37 points. Mel Carleton, Gerard Waide and Gerry Norwood finished in third, fourth and fifth places respectively after they all recorded 36 points with Patrick Dallat winning the gross prize with a 74.

Ballycastle Golf Club would like to thank Brian McKay for his continued sponsorship of this successful competition.

Brian presented the Glenshesk Cup to the club in 2007 and with 136 entries this year it is now established as one of the most popular events in our calendar.

Sunday’s stroke competition attracted 60 entries with Harry Sheehan edging out Colm Hendrie on the back nine after both seven handicappers carded nett 67’s.

Third prize went to Peter Dowds with Damian McSorley finishing fourth after both members recorded nett 68’s. Tony Connolly collected the stableford prize with 39 points and Owen Kennedy won the gross prize with a 75.

John Callan followed up his excellent round last Saturday with an even better one on Wednesday as he wrapped up the Midweek Open Stableford competition with a total of 45 points. Four handicapper John started with a bogey at the first but didn’t drop another shot all day as he reeled off birdies at the fifth, sixth, tenth, twelfth, thirteenth and fifteenth holes in a brilliant round of 66.

Finishing runner-up for the second week in a row is Paul McKillen who carded an impressive 44 points, Paul Devlin was third with 42 points and City of Derry member William Acheson won the fourth prize on Wednesday with a score of 41 points.

Junior success

Ballycastle’s Junior Cup golfers successfully qualified in third place at Fortwilliam on Sunday to set up an intriguing local derby with Gracehill in the opening match-play round. Rory Gallagher was the top scorer for Ballycastle with a superb 75 and he was ably assisted by teammates Colum Egan, John Higgins, Vincent Miskelly and Mel Carleton.

There was also success for our Ulster Fourball Trophy team at the weekend as they secured the points they required at Ormeau Park to progress to the third round where they will meet either Carnalea or Castleblaney.

The Glens of Antrim Cup takes place at the club next Saturday with an open stableford being held on Sunday to mark the arrival of the Olympic Torch. The flame itself is scheduled to be here shortly before 5pm on Sunday with the golf club an ideal place to catch a glimpse.

This year’s Causeway Coast tournament takes place at Ballycastle from Monday 4th to Friday 8th June with the course closed each day until mid afternoon.

The club will be running a ‘Half-Four Hat’ competition each evening during the week. This will be open to members and visitors alike and takes place over thirteen holes.