Haydn has right stuff

Haydn has right stuff

17 July 2019

SPA hosted the annual St John’s GAC Golf Classic fundraiser last week on a course described by organiser Eugene O’Boyle as “just fabulous”.

The overall winner was Haydn Gibson, who carded 41 points to take the GUI-affiliated prize while non-GUI player Neil Stranney playing off a handicap of 20 accumulated a phenomenal 50 points to win that category by a mile.

Patrick McCluskey, Hugh Bonner, Eugene O’Boyle and Brendan Malone won the GUI team prize with Darren Savage, Harry McMullan, Karl McMullan and Conor Morgan the leading non-GUI team.

Speaking at the presentation of prizes Mr O’Boyle said the new arrangement this year of a shotgun start seemed to have worked extremely well and brought such positive feedback from the competitors it was likely it would be  repeated in future years.

He thanked everyone at Spa Golf Club, including the staff for their hospitality and cooperation in organising the St John’s event, and paid tribute to the generosity of all the sponsors and in particular Owen Flynn, of Green Energy Wind.

Mr O’Boyle said the Drumnaquoile GAA club “felt privileged” at being accorded the opportunity to play on such a “fabulous course” as Spa and complimented members and officials on the great work that had been carried out over the past number of years.

Sponsor Mr Flynn said it was great to be part of such a wonderful event as the GAA Classic and to see so many competitors enjoying the day.

He described the Spa course as a credit to the management and staff at the golf club.

St John’s chairman Mr Jimmy Laverty said such an event could not take place without the support and goodwill of all the sponsors and thanked all his members for their hard work in planning and supervising the day.

Results

GUI: 1st Haydn Gibson, 2nd Sean Hastings, 3rd Hugh Bonner

Non-GUI: 1st Neil Stranney, 2nd Karl McMullan, 3rd Paul Byrne.

Beat the pro, Tiernan Fettes; longest drive, Declan Toman; nearest the pin, Darren Morgan.

GUI teams: 1st Eugene O’Boyle, Patrick McCluskey, Hugh Bonner and Brendan Malone; 2nd Aidan Savage, Pat Savage, Haydn Gibson and Jim Smyth; 3rd Kieran O’Connor, Sean Hastings, Declan Morgan and Dan Brogan.

Non-GUI teams: 1st Darren Savage, Harry McMullan Karl McMullan and Conor Morgan; 2nd Aidan Burns, Neil Stranney, Paul Armstrong and Declan Toman; 3rd Buffer Kelly, Maurice McEvoy, Paul Byrne and Willie McCartan.