Quinn defies the elements to win Mourne Captain’s Day

Mark Guinness’ Captain’s Day was not for the faint hearted as the heavens opened across the Championship Links at Royal County Down, but Kevin Quinn had enough buoyancy to finish top of the standings.

Torrential rain threatened to derail Guinness’ day as the Championship Links had to endure deluge after deluge. Thankfully the rain passed and one of the biggest occasions on the Mourne golfing calendar reached a successful conclusion before celebrations and presentations got underway at a packed clubhouse that evening. A total of 205 golfers competed in Mark’s Captain’s Day.

Despite such difficult conditions, scoring was impressive over the links with Quinn pushed all the way as he and Jack Keenan both signed for 39 points. However, it was Quinn who took the top prize with the better back nine. The winner benefited from timely birdies at 10 and 12, and despite dropped shots at 17 and 18, he rallied well after a difficult front nine.

Upon receiving his prize from the Captain, Quinn thanked everyone involved and the Guinness family for all their efforts.

Keenan has been in top form recently and his Captain’s Day effort was no different. He was the model of consistency with a wonderful round of level par 71 that contained three birdies and as many bogeys. Keenan’s card was easily the best gross score on the day, but because he won the second prize, the gross prize went to the next best gross score of Stephen Barker, who shot 75 to deny friend James Maginn on a countback.

Last year’s winner Stephen Burns took the final podium place in third as he and Michael Keane both signed for 38 points, with Burns edging Keane on a countback. Jerome Keenan was fourth with 36 points. Keane was also recognised for winning the Past Captains’ prize.

Royal County Down Ladies Golf Club Captain Heather Keenan won the Ladies prize and thanked Mark Guinness and Mourne members for their hospitality when receiving her prize. RCDLGC member Ziz O’Hare was second in the Ladies competition.

It will come as no surprise that Martin Greene picked up the Senior prize. So consistent has Greene been over the years, you could almost cut and paste this paragraph each year. Royal County Down’s Terry Hutley won the Visitors’ prize.

Elsewhere, Darry Northrop had his putting boots on to win the Putting competition, Niall Doran won the Longest Drive at 18 and Conor Toner was Closest to the Pin at the 10^th.

“I would just like to thank everyone in the room for making my Captain’s Day so special,” said Guinness during his speech. “I could not have done this without the help and support of my family, especially Emma and the kids.”

Guinness remarked how relieved he was to get through the day, given the difficult weather conditions as he also thanked Royal County Down and all the team, especially the green staff who somehow managed to keep the course playable.