Burns secures major double with President’s Day win

Stephen Burns certainly knows how to sharpen up his game ahead of the ‘big ones’ for in just a matter of weeks he added the prestigious President’s Day prize to the Captain’s Day honours at Mourne Golf Club.

Burns was pushed all the way for his Captain’s Day win back in June and last Sunday’s President’s Day success was no different as he was pushed to the line by Darryl Northrop. Burns and Northrop both signed for 42 points, but it was Burns who took the spoils with a better back nine, 24 points against Northrop’s 22 points. Burns also received the O’Boyle trophy for his win.

It really was great scoring on a day when the winds blew strongly over the Royal County Links. And sometimes winning scores come out of nowhere too. Burns started six, eight and for many that could have been a card wrecked before it even got started. However, the winner stayed the course, and rewards came quickly on the back nine, when he eagled the par five 12^th and followed up with a birdie at the 13^th. Just as impressive was the run of five pars all the way to the clubhouse.

For Northrop, he had a steady day on the Championship Links where pars and bogeys were the currency with a birdie at 16 an obvious highlight. If Northrop was left with a bad taste, it was with an untimely double bogey seven at the difficult 18^th. The finishing par five has caught many players out and President’s Day was no different.

Martin McDonnell completed the podium places as he took third on 39 points, while Martin Greene picked up another Veteran’s prize with his score of 26 points on the Annesley Links. Ian McEvoy secured the Past President’s prize with a fine score of 36 points on the Championship course while Ciaran Walsh landed the Visitors’ prize with 33 points.

There were several players vying for the best gross on the day with Mark Feenan, Paul Gallagher and Eoghan Simons all carding two over 73s. However, it was Simons who took the spoils on a countback after an impressive two-under back nine of 34 that included three consecutive birdies from the 10^th.

Other prizes on the day included longest drive, which was won by Niall Doran, who smashed his drive over 300 yards and into Rory McIlroy territory on the 18^th.  Simons wasn’t content with the best gross for he also hoovered up closest to the pin at the 10^th.

President Keith Toner has been an outstanding supporter during his time in office, travelling the length of the county to support all the Moure teams this year. Last Sunday was a celebration and so many members commented on the President’s generosity with the prizes on show. It was fitting that the packed timesheet saw 136 members compete in President’s Day, eight veterans and six visitors.

Throughout the day golfers were fed with a delicious carvery by Denis, Trevor, Vincent and the team, while Ryan and the bar team were on hand to keep everyone suitably refreshed.

Elsewhere the Juvenile August Medal also took place and this time a Northrop went one better as Caolan Northrop came out on top with his nett 68, to finish one ahead of Luke Martin in second. Callum Flynn was third on a countback after he and Paddy Curran Jnr signed for 70s. Eoin Smyth was next with his 72.

Last Thursday’s Stableford competition was another close-run thing as Emlyn Williamson and Andy Graham both carded 36 points with Williamson winning on a countback. In something of a family affair, Ryan Williamson was third with 35 points, one ahead the chasing pack that included Barry Hillen, Ryan Brannigan and Conor Toner.