April 7, 2024

Mourne Golf Club News

By Paul Gallagher

The golfing season at Mourne Golf Club began in earnest with the recent ADT Electrical sponsored Wallace Cup where Gerry Hyland finished top of the pile on a busy leaderboard.

The Wallace Cup is traditionally played on the Annesley Links at Royal County Down as a strokeplay event and Hyland stuck to the task to win on a countback after signing for a nett three-under 64. Hyland might have had plenty of shots to work with, but he still had to negotiate the tricky links for all 18 holes.

He was best of the five nett 64’s on the day with Stephen Cousins, John Cummins, Niall Doran and James Maginn all returning their own three-under scores. Peter Murray and Eugene Cunningham were also in the mix as they signed for 65s.

Doran edged out his Senior Cup team-mate Maginn on a countback for the last three holes to secure the best gross on the day (64).

Huge thanks to all the sponsors this year and ADT Electrical in particularly for the Wallace Cup support. Special mention also to Lighton Testing for their sponsorship of the Winter Eclectic series.

Following the Wallace Cup opener, there was a feeling of business as usual with 2023 Golfer of the Year Barry Hillen easing to the top of the Division 1 leaderboard in the 18-hole stableford competition. Hillen won by three with an impressive 39 points in a round that included birdies at five and seven.

Michael McKenna was second with 36 points, one ahead of Anthony King in third with Sean O’Higgins and Kieran O’Connor claiming the minor places with 32 points.

In Division 2 Eugene Valentine finished on top with 36 points to be two ahead of Jerome Keenan with Sean Murray third (32). Sean Paul Murray was best of the chasing pack on 31 points alongside Gerard Quigley, Brian O’Neill and Kristopher Stratton.

In Division 3 Brendan Forde took the spoils with 35 points, two ahead of Gerry Boden, Donal O’Rourke and Martin Cromie, who all signed for 33 points. Karl Brannigan was next with 32 points.

The Thursday nine-hole competition at the start of April saw Nicky Clarke win on 22 points, to deny Kieran Polly on a countback after the big-hitting singe handicapper also carded 22 points. Michael O’Higgins and Alan Truesdale also featured with 21 points.

-ENDS

Caption:

L-R Mourne Golf Club Captain Paddy Curran with Wallace Cup winner Gerry Hyland and sponsor Andrew Torrens from ADT Electrical (Photo: Danny Hillen)  

Mourne Golf Club: Wallace Cup 2024

L-R Mourne Golf Club Captain Paddy Curran with Wallace Cup winner Gerry Hyland and sponsor Andrew Torrens from ADT Electrical (Photo: Danny Hillen)