GOLF: Early starter Kerrigan secures title at Prehen

As play closed the later contestants braved hail showers to no avail since Mr John Kerrigan had already posted the winning score.

The twenty-handicapper was steadiness personified as he carded an outward 18 points and followed that with an impressive inward nine holes of 21 for his winning 39 points total.

Veteran, Mr Noel Kehoe, playing off a nineteen handicap, played a superb outward half of 21 points that included a lovely birdie two at the difficult, card-destroying eighth hole, ‘The Crow’s Nest’.

Unfortunately, the back nine was less kind to Mr Kehoe senior and a seven at the closing hole relegated his 38 point total to second spot but gave him a tale to tell in the clubhouse over a welcome beverage.

A shot further back on 37 points Mr Philip Greer was to be found. Eleven-handicapper Mr Greer’s absence from the top spot can be accounted for by his unusual failure to record even a single point at the easy par four sixth, ‘Swilken’, a mistake he will regret over the coming week.

Two-handicapper Mr Lester Moore made an early season impact to seize the gross prize with a solid 34 points.

The overnight return of winter to the Prehen fairways startled the early risers intent on playing Mr Jim McCann’s Sunday Society Captain’s Day.

Arriving to a course encrusted with an inch of frozen hailstones meant that many opted to return to comfy sitting rooms to spend quality time in cleaning their clubs for the better days that surely must lie ahead.

A determined few waited out the conditions and their prayers were answered when the thaw arrived just before noon.

Among those who excitedly snatched a round of golf from perfidious winter was Mr Michael O’Hara (15).

His forty-point total was a colossal effort given the conditions and ensured victory over a chasing pack in the hastily organised sweep competition.

Mr McCann’s Captain’s Prize hopefuls will return again on Sunday 17th to brave whatever version of Spring that will be thrust upon them.

Prize presentation will be in the clubhouse at 7pm and all prize-winners are asked to be in attendance. The Sunday Society Golfer of the Year is now finalised.

Mr Paul Glackin topped the table on 169 points for his winter endeavours, Mr Tony McCann placed second on 164 points and Paul Concannon’s 154 points took third spot.

Meanwhile it’s with deep regret that the club have learned of the passing of long-time member, Mr Ken Quigley.

A true gentleman, Ken will be sadly missed. The council and members of the club send condolences to his family.