Sean on top form at Bright Castle

Sean on top form at Bright Castle

8 June 2022

ALTHOUGH Sean Toner isn’t quite as old as a certain 96 year-old who was celebrating this past weekend, Sean also had reason to celebrate after he triumphed in the latest ‘big six’ stableford competition at Bright Castle Golf Club. 

His splendid 44 points on Saturday gave him a two points win ahead of Ian Craig (42 points) in second, with Peter Savage (41) a further point back in third place. 

It was a welcome return to form for last year’s Ulster Cup star Ian and it’s great to see his handicap go down again, as it was looking as if it would be high enough for him to qualify for the 2023 Ulster fourball team.

After letting a few of his Division Two handicap opponents claim that particular category for a number of weeks, Gary Carberry (37 points) once again took that weekend prize, with the Divisions One and Three awards going to Kevin Dorrian (39) and Barry Oakes (40), respectively. 

Only four players, Michael Farrand, Hilary Edgar, Peter Savage and Jack Telford, managed to record twos at the weekend and each will receive a healthy return for their efforts.

Playing partners, Declan Johnston and Davy Dobbin, can regularly be spotted getting in some midweek practice at Bright Castle and both were rewarded for said practice with recent weekend victories. 

Declan posted a very respectable 44 points total on the weekend of May 14/15 and this was enough to give him a comfortable three points win, ahead of Dylan Duffy (41) in second. Ian Emerson (40 points) took third place while the respective handicap division awards went to Gerard Kelly Jr (38), Donal Smith (40) and Adam Murray (37). 

Ian, Gerard and Donal also claimed shares of the weekend twos pot, with other shares going to Gary Reid, Kevin Dorrian, Jason Hilditch, Colin Oakes, Stephen McMurray, Robert Baird, Allister Jess, Sean Lowry, Christopher Murray and Jack Telford.

Davy Dobbin didn’t quite manage to match Declan’s 44 points total the following weekend, but his fine 43 points haul was enough to give him the win, a full five points clear of Gary Reid (38) in second. 

Gary only just held on for second spot and it was his better back nine total that secured him the runner up prize, with Hilary Edgar (38) having to settle for third. 

Gerard Kelly Jr (36 points), Denis McMenamin (37) and Stephen Stranney (37), came out on top in the respective handicap divisions, while six players, Jason Hilditch, Gary Carberry, John Foster, Barry Oakes, Trevor O’Shea and Declan Gilmore, all recorded weekend twos.

The high scoring weekend theme continued on the weekend of May 28/29 and once again a 44 points total was more than enough to give Joe Kennedy the victory. 

Joe has been in decent form of late and this win came hot on the heels of his victory in the weekend stroke play competition that was played on April 30/May 1. 

Young Sean Murray (42 points) claimed what I think is his first Bright Castle competition voucher after he finished in second place, one shot ahead of Owen Breen (41) in third.

Gerard Kelly Jr (38 points) made it three wins in as many weeks when he captured the division one handicap prize, while Brendan Savage (40) and Gary Ross (39) claimed the respective accolades for Divisions Two and Three.

Only five members, Arnie Ennis, Paul Oakes, Hilary Edgar, Eamon Kelly and Paul Brown, managed to record weekend twos.