Crawford and Rodgers win respective scratch cups

It was a case of the old(er) and the new coming to the fore as veteran Noel Crawford denied all youthful contenders to land the Voipcom sponsored Scratch Cup while James Rodgers did the business to win the Premiere Poultry sponsored Junior Scratch Cup.

For one Sunday in the year, the best golfers in Mourne Golf Club play off the back tips on the Championship Links where the blue markers are pushed to the very corners of the world-renowned golfing landscape. That stretches the course to some 7,200 yards which places a premium on all tee shots and accuracy for approaches into greens.

In the Scratch Cup Crawford had an up and down start with a birdie at the first, followed by a dropped shot at the second, arguably the most difficult tee shot on the course from the back tees. He also made a double bogey on six, dropped a shot at eight before making a timely birdie at the difficult ninth to turn in two-over 37.

The senior international got back to level with birdies at 12 and 13 and despite a dropped shot at the par three 14^th, he managed to par home for a winning one-over 72. Although conditions were perfect on the Championship Links, a 72 from the championship tees was a wonderful score.

“I’m pleased with that. It’s nice to put a good score together in this very prestigious event for the club,” said Crawford. “It would also be great to see this type of event played over a weekend, perhaps 18 holes on the Annesley Links on Saturday, then the final round on the Championship Links on the Sunday. It’s an important competition for the club.”

Crawford was closely followed by a stellar pack that included Stephen Barker, James Maginn and Mark Feenan, who all returned 74s. Barker had the best back nine of the trio by coming home in one-under 35 to claim second.

Other Senior Cup squad members included Conor Toner and Jack Keenan, who returned 75s.

It was a closer contest in the Junior Scratch Cup where Rodgers came out on top with a fine gross 74, to finish one ahead of Ryan Brannigan in second. Rodgers, who is also part of the senior squad and came through the juvenile ranks in recent seasons, carded five birdies in all. Rodgers is making real strides with his golf and competing regularly with the senior players within the club.

Brannigan had a steady round that was bookended with birdies at the first and 18^th along with six bogeys and the rest pars. Patrick McNiff was third with a 77, while Paul Boden and Peter Murphy were fourth and fifth respectively with 79s.

Elsewhere, Brendan Forde set the heather on fire with this winning score of 43 points in the Sunday Stableford competition. Forde enjoyed four birdies in his round, including a couple of timely pick-ups at 16 and 17 as he raced for the line.

He finished three clear of Daniel Cunningham (40 points) in second, while Michael Keane was third with 39.