Fir Trees Open for Fantastic Forbes
Sean Forbes produced one of the best rounds of the year at Strabane Golf Club on Saturday last to claim victory the Fir Trees Open. Playing off a handicap of four, Forbes shot at brilliant five under par 64 to post a magnificent stableford score of 45 points, enough to give him a comfortable two point winning advantage. Eight-handicapper James Harron was also in tremendous form as he carded a one over par score of 43 points to take second place, one point better than third-placed Conor Sharkey. Heading Category One, with 40 points, was Michael Kelly, while the best return in Category Two was Mark McDermott’s 42 points. Brian O’Kane compiled a steady 41 points to take the Category Three award, with the gross prize going to Conal Cooke who shot a two-under par 67.
Low handicappers were also very much to the fore in last Thursday’s Nugent’s Open. Leading the way, with a superb level par 69 (43 points), was Freddie Patterson, while runner-up Stephen McCay likewise carded a level par round to finish just one point adrift of the winner. Third place went to in-form Shane McLaughlin who returned 39 points. Darren Crawford dropped just one shot to par in topping the gross category, while Letterkenny’s Robert Bell took his second visitor’s prize in as many weeks, this time with a 39 point return.
Tommy Forbes has been threatening to return a winning score for some time now and it finally happened in last week’s Monday Open, his excellent 40 points giving him a winning margin of two points over runner-up Aidan Corry. Shane McLaughlin again figured at the head of the leaderboard, his 38 points again giving him a third place finish. Keith Patterson continued his recent successful run in the gross category as he posted a three-over par 72 to top that section. The visitors’ prize went to City of Derry’s Robert McKimm.
Sunday’s Mr and Mrs Mixed Foursomes event went to the Limerick twosome of Pat and Mary Byrne. Playing for the first time over the Ballycolman course, they combined to produce a winning 43 points, a point better than second placed Cahir and Rosaleen Doherty. Eamon and Laura McCay were also on 42 points in third place while the winners of the “Tarzan and Jane” section were Liam Curry and Ann Duffy who amassed an impressive best-of-the-day 45 points.
Wednesday’ regular mixed competition was a team format with the top two quartets returning 43 points. On count-back the winners were Frankie Connolly, Rachel Devenney, William Potts and Olive Reid. Just edged out into second place were Nigel and Angela Houston, Rory Doherty and Laura McCay.
The Lady Herdman Cup was the feature event in ladies’ golf last week and was won by Betty Kelly with a solid 72 nett. Anne Sharkey was best in Category 0-24 with a nett 75, while top performer in the 25-36 Category was Margaret Bonner who matched the winner’s score of 72 nett.
Fixtures
Thursday August 19 Northern Confectionery Open
Saturday August 21 Felix’s Bar Medal
Sunday August 22 Owen Roe’s Team Classic
Monday August 23 Monday Open
Tuesday August 24 Donna’s Flowerbox Open (Ladies)
Wednesday August 25 Mixed