GOLF: Rankin and Powell win the Golf Digest Volvo Open at Roe Park

Excitement was at an all-time high at the resort with the sponsors setting the scene just like a professional tournament as each player was announced off the first tee.

Playing off the long tees just like the pro’s do it was never going to be easy and so it proved with 40 points being the best score of the day.

Alan Rankin played some scintillating golf to win the main category one prize of a top of the range Taylor Made driver.

Derek Powell played brilliantly to also take away a driver by winning category two with the same score whilst Mary O’Kane from Moyola Golf Club won the Ladies category.

Runner-up in the men’s category one was Alan Dallas with Alan Loughery taking third place.

The category two runner-up spot went to Lee McIlroy with Malcolm Stuart taking third.

It was certainly the busiest week thus far at the resort with The Drenagh Sawmills Bank Holiday Open on Monday, a Club Stableford on Thursday and the SJ Mitchell & Co Monthly Medal on Saturday.

Jason Thompson won Monday’s Open with 39 points just beating Mark Loughery in second on count back with the same score. Gary Campbell was third with 38 points with Shea Hogg winning the gross prize.

The front nine prize went to Gerard Mullan with the Back Nine prize going to Alan Thompson. Eamon Brown dominated the Monthly Medal on Saturday winning with a superb score of nett 65.

Andy Young was a good five shots back in second place with a nett round of 70. Kieran Berryman claimed the gross prize with an excellent round of three over par 73.

Thursday’s Club Stableford was won by Andy Cameron with Noel McLarey taking second and John Robson third.

The Golfer of the Year is well underway and the most in form golfer at Roe Park, Nigel Mearns appears to be running away with it at this point.

He currently tops the leader board with 67 points, a staggering 28 points ahead of second placed men Andy Young and Peter Mullan.

Defending champion Kieran Berryman has it all to do to catch up as he sits in ninth spot with only 22 points thus far. He’s come from this far behind to win before and a golfer of his calibre won’t be too concerned just yet.

This week sees more opportunities for those valuable GOTY points with Club Stableford competitions on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with Saturday’s being sponsored by Cheers Off Sales.

Friday also sees The Well Bar & Grill sponsor the annual Walworth Cup Seniors Open Stableford for the over 50’s.

To book a tee time or for any other enquiries call the very helpful and friendly staff at The Golf Shop on 02877760105.

Meanwhile Faughan Valley had another succesful week in glourious weather.

The mid-week competition winner was Gilbert Castaneda (22) who scored 40 points, in second spot on a break of tie was Trevor Lewers (22) who finished on 38 points.

In the weekend stableford competition the winner was Michael Galbraith (24) with a score of 41 points.

Seamus O’Connor (16) with 40 points was second and Liam Doherty (18) was third after BOT finish when he finished on 39 points.

The front nine went to Andrew Craig with 23 points and the back nine was won by Neal Black who scored 21 points,

This Saturday the club will be hosting an open strokeplay and monthly medal competitions, while on Sunday the Open Stableford competition is down for decision.