McKibben leaves it late at Rockmount

McKibben leaves it late at Rockmount

8 August 2012

ROCKMOUNT Golf captain Peter O’Hara had an early start on his Captain’s Day and after overseeing final preparations on the course he saw the first competitors tee off at 5.51am.

However, it wasn’t until late in the day when the winner emerged from the penultimate four-ball with Neil McKibben (11) registering an unbeatable 42 points.

Scoring a tremendous 40 points to secure second place was Sean Lawell (18), Stephen Clyde (19) was third, Gordon Goodfellow fourth and Mel Power fifth, all on 39 points.

The longest drive at the 18th was won by Adam Robinson and nearest the pin at the 12th was won by Adrian Harrison. The associate members’ prize was won by Gary Anderson, Eddie Donaldson won the putting competition and the ladies’ prize, played over nine holes, was won by Jan Lindsay.

Best gross on the day was a level par 72 by the captain’s brother, Oliver O’Hara who took the visitors’ prize. Jeff Lamb (4), on one of his rare outings this year, won the members’ best gross prize with 76.

The captain with quests from as far afield as Spain and his father Peter O’Hara, a former President of the Golfing Union of Ireland, presented the prizes before commending the staff at Rockmount and the committees at Rockmount for their support during his year.

Earlier, the past captains the men’s committee and greenkeepers where invited to a champagne breakfast.

The captain thanked the greenkeepers for their work, not only in preparing the course for Captain’s Day, but for their work all year round.

Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon a team of Rockmount juniors travelled to Warrenpoint Golf Club for the second leg of their semi-final Ronan Rafferty match needing six points from a possible 20 to progress.

Warrenpoint are a strong team with a great history in this competition and after nine holes things looked very bleak.

Stuart Rossi won one point and Russell McDonald won a half point for one and a half points out of five. Russell went onto win a further three points and Stuart added another point on the back nine.

Darren McClure, Gareth-Burns Delaney and Brendan Carville were up against the wall, but Gareth-Burns one down on the back nine with one to play won the 18th hole to secure a half point and the match by 20-19.5.

The August Medal was played on Sunday, July 29 and Monday, July 30.

With good weather on both days, the scoring was good.

Past captain Al McCune (9) was first his one over par 73 meant he had a nett 64 easily beating second place Edmund McDonald (10) who had a nett 67.

Al’s round included five bogeys, four birdies and nine pars. In third place was Michael McGivern (12) with a nett 68, fourth and fifth both scored nett 69’s, Francis Ward (7) was fourth and Paul Banford (12) was fifth.

The senior championship was completed on Sunday. Michael Stewart (5) and Barry Douds (6) both scored 77, Michael was first by virtue of countback on the back nine. Al McCune (8) with 84 was third.