Mourne Golf Club News

By Paul Gallagher

01/08/23

On a day of strong scoring on the Championship Links, it was Seamus and Paul Boden who finished top of the pile in Mourne Golf Club’s Sunday Stableford competition.

Seamus took the spoils after signing for a winning score of 42 points, two ahead of Paul. Seamus is one of the club’s early birds each week and he certainly caught the worm with Sunday’s round. Both Bodens enjoyed steady rounds, while Paul carded a gross 73 with birdies at the fourth and 12th.

The leading pair were well ahead of the chasing pack, with Stephen Brennan, John Murphy (Jun) and Thomas Burns all on 37 points. James Maginn dipped under par for a best gross of the day 70 after birdies at eight, 12 and 17 after an untimely double bogey at the short fourth.

Last Thursday’s competition was won by the high-flying Graham Nugent with 39 points, one ahead of Kieran Polly (38) in second and Rory McNiff (38) in third. Rory denied his brother Patrick, who took fourth with 37 points.

Nugent has been showing great form of late and last Thursday was no exception. Despite several bogeys early in the day, his round took off with a birdie at the sixth before he added another at the 17th.

The previous weekend’s action turned out to be something of the Andy Torrens’ show after he won the McManus Cup at a canter and his Junior Cowdy team advanced to the semi-finals.

On a treacherously difficult Sunday, Torrens (Condy) lit the place up with his winning nett 72, three clear of his nearest challenger. Stephen Burns secured second with a nett 75, while Barry Hillen’s 79 rounded up the only three scores in the 70s. Daniel Brogan, Keith Flanagan and Michael Valentine picked up the minor places on a day where NRs (Non-returned scores) were everywhere due to the conditions.

Condy’s efforts came after his Junior Cowdy charges made it into the last four where they will take on either Warrenpoint or Edenmore for a place in the final. Their latest win came against neighbours Kilkeel.

In the first leg at home, Mourne put themselves in the driving seat to lead 3-1 and 10 holes up. There were wins from Micky and Colm O’Higgins, Shaun Killough and Donal O’Rourke plus Paddy Keenan and Aaron King.

In the return leg, stalwarts Micky and Colm O’Higgins suffered a rare defeat, but Martin Cromie and Rob Graham were more than up to the task. Heroes in the previous round, Cromie and Graham combined to win 4&3 to secure a 4-2 win overall.

It’s another big week at Mourne as Martin Greene’s President’s Day takes place this Sunday (August 6th) with the main competition on the Championship Links and a 13-hole Veterans’ competition on the Annesely Link on the same day.

An evening meal will be served for all competitors and guests at the clubhouse from 7.30pm with a presentation of prizes from 9pm. Dress code is collar and tie, and the evening will include music by Paul O’Kane.

-ENDS