Rooney wins President's Day, McNiff the Junior Cup Hero

Mourne Golf Club News

By Paul Gallagher

10/08/2022

On a glorious sun-kissed day on the Championship Links, it was Eugene Rooney who emerged victorious to win Martin Greene’s President’s Day at Mourne Golf Club.

Rooney finished top of the pile in a congested leaderboard with his score of 37 points to deny Mark Lindsay in a countback. Rooney had a steady opening nine before picking up a birdie at the par five 12^th. Although he ran up a double bogey seven at the difficult 18^th, Rooney still did enough to land the prestigious President’s prize.

Lindsey was also left to rue an untimely double bogey at the 18^th, but he enjoyed earlier birdies at the short seventh and 12^th holes.

The chasing pack on 36 points included Malcolm Briggs in third, James Morgan and Ian McEvoy. A quartet of Paul Murray, Philip Maguire, Michael McKenna, and Conor Keenan were next on 35 points.

Maguire also picked up the best gross for his impressive one-under 70 that included an eagle three at the first and three birdies at 11, 12 and 16 for an inward half of three-under 33.

Pat Knight won the Veterans’ Prize while Martin McAleenan picked up the Visitors’ Prize.

At the prizegiving Greene thanked all the team at Mourne for their hard work behind the scenes and Royal County Down for their continued support. Greene also gave special mention to his friend and entertainer Gene Fitzpatrick, who was present at the dinner and prizegiving.

There was further celebration last Sunday as John Murphy’s Junior Cup side sensationally booked their place in the Ulster final after their hard-fought win over Clandeboye.

Murphy’s side were trailing 2-0 from the opening away fixture and had it all to do in last Sunday’s return leg on the Championship Course at Royal County Down. Connor Pimm and Peter Murphy both recorded convincing wins in the top two matches, which meant the outcome rested on the young shoulders of Patrick McNiff.

McNiff trailed one down at the turn before turning things around on the back nine to be two up with two holes to play. However, McNiff lost the last two holes to his experienced opponent, who made a wonderful birdie at the 18^th to force extra holes.

As daylight faded the pair made their way down the par five first where McNiff boomed a drive more than 320 yards to leave only an eight iron into the green which landed 15 feet from the pin. His opponent could only manage a par and McNiff calmly made a two-putt birdie for the memorable win under the most intense pressure.

Mourne now take on Co Cavan in the final on August 21^st at the neutral venue of Warrenpoint Golf Club.

Earlier in the week the Harvest Medal was won by Neil Alexander with a fine score of nett 68. Alexander won by two from Thomas Ireland in second, while Barry McCrickard and Damien McEvoy both returned nett 71s. Noel Crawford won the best gross with his 71.

-ENDS