September Competition Reports by Mr. Peter Byrne, Club PRO

September 26th 2009 - V-Par Competition

With the second month of Autumn drawing to a close the Indian Summer is showing no immediate sign of abating Deo Gratia ! Ergo
the P R O 's of the various Golf Clubs in the Sunny Southeast are finding it increasingly difficult to find superlatives to describe
the current weather. Nevertheless here we go again !

Once again Breezeless Balmy Ballymoney Golf Club was bathed in beautiful Sunshine on Saturday last. The Players in the V Par
Competition could hardly use the conditions as an excuse for some less than spectacular scores . This particular format provides a
very stern test of Club golfers abilities . Effectively this is matchplay versus each hole on the course and with the safety net of
Stableford removed high handicappers have to make some pars and a lot of bogeys to be incontention and the lower handicappers
have to shoot a lot of pars and the odd birdie to stay in the hunt.

Joe Lee off 11 certainly dug in and ground out the necessary scores to finish 2 up and was the eventual winner . Sean Furlong (15)
was also very steady and and took second place from Club Secretary Charlie Logan (7) . Sean and the avuncular and gregarious Mr
Logan both finished 1 up and but for two uncharactistic bogeys on two of the easier closing holes Charlie would have surely carried
the day ! By all accounts Charlie played immaculately from tee to green and started with 10 straight pars . Special mention also for
Paul Guilfoyle (7) who finished level . Most golfers would know that for low handicappers to finish thus requires steady and nerve
free golf .

Members are reminded that slots are still available on the time sheet for next Sunday 4 th Octobers Singles Stableford 3 ball
Open Competition .

September 2009 Monthly Medal

The September Medal was played on Sunday  in Ballymoney Golf Club .This was the first strokeplay  competiton played since the
Club affiliated to the G U I and twas truly a good test of the mettle of the Members .  The Winter rules that have pretty much been
in use at most parkland courses in the area since the end of July due to the misearable wet  weather  were not needed .  Play was
from the back tees and in brilliant blazing sunshine a good turn out of Members enjoyed a keenly contested affair .  As was expected
the lower handicappers came to the fore and as usual the early starters had  a good hours play  before the wind started a blowing .
A stiff northerly breeze picked up as the morning progressed and severly tested the resolve of the later starters. Brian Delaney off  12 had the best nett score of 70 strokes . Brians card included 7 pars and a birdie  very good scoring indeed .
Out in the first group of the day Leo Gleeson (13)  took 2nd place with  nett 72 (  7 pars also for the rocksteady Leo ).
Brother-in-law to Leo  Ger O Brien (12)  returned  an mpressive nett 73 for  3rd  place . Richard Temple (12)  just lost out on
countback to Ger . 

Best gross score was posted by Paul Guilfoyle (7)  who shot a course record for competion off the back tees of 81 . Paul had 9
pars and a birdie on his card and but for an unfortunate 7 on the tricky 1 st hole might have been on for an even better result .
Well done to all  and despite a few high numbers on some cards the general consensus among the participants was a big thumbs up
for strokeplay ! Mr Ron Breen presents his Presidents Prize next Sunday 20th Sept and the Commitee would like to see all our regular competition
players take to the field and hopefully a smattering   of the slightly more reticent Members also !   The Clubs first Open Competition will be held on 4 th Oct . This will be a Stableford Singles in 3 ball format . A time sheet will be
in operation and a green fee of 20 euro for visiting G U I members will apply.  All are welcome.