Delighted Jess celebrates his hole-in-one at Bright Golf Club

Delighted Jess celebrates his hole-in-one at Bright Golf Club

26 March 2025

IT’S been just over two years since Cecil Telford recorded the last hole-in-one in competition play at Bright Castle Golf Club, but remarkably two members managed to achieve the feat last week.

First to join the hole-in-one club was Allister Jess in last Monday’s St Patrick’s Day sweepstake and Hilary Edgar followed suit in Saturday’s stableford competition.

Both aces occurred at the par three seventh hole and both men were rewarded for their efforts with half the twos’ pot on the respective days. 

 Although there wasn’t a huge turnout on St Patrick’s Day Sweepstake, high scoring was the order of the day and Stephen Browne’s 42 points were just about enough to give him the victory.

Vincent Feenan also finished with 42 points, but he had to settle for second spot, Stephen securing the win courtesy of a better back score.

Ian Craig and Arnold Ennis claimed a share each of what remained in the twos’ pot.

The favourable weather conditions on Saturday resulted in scoring being even higher and Allan Taylor’s hugely impressive 45 points saw him top the leaderboard.

Chris Miles (43pts) took second spot, while Gerard Creggan’s brand new set of irons seemed to be working well as he took third spot with 41 points. 

The respective handicap division prizes were claimed by Donal Smith (40pts), Stephen Browne (41pts) and Sean O’Hare (34pts) but with a grand total of two competitors playing for in the division three category, it’s hoped that the parameters will get altered for the upcoming season proper to ensure that the numbers playing for each of the handicap divisions are more evenly spread.

 The decent weather conditions that we have been enjoying of late should mean that regular playing conditions will be in place for the qualifying completion season which is due to get under way on the first weekend of April.

But despite the herculean efforts of the greenkeeping staff at Bright Castle, scars from Storm Eowyn will unfortunately take another while to heal.

Members and visitors alike are asked to do their bit by repairing pitch marks, replacing divots and raking bunkers and if we can all get into those very important habits then it will make play more enjoyable for all.

On behalf of the owners, the committee members and the playing members of Bright Castle Golf Club, I would like to wish our newly elected captain, Chris Murray, the best of luck for the year ahead.

After the nightmare recent months that the course endured after Storm Eowyn, the longer evenings, better weather, a bit of growing and no shortage of effort from the owners, the course is returning to its best and the captain and everyone involved with the club is looking forward to the new season with renewed hope.