Glorious weather helping Open Week at City of Derry

A blustery wind made scoring difficult but James Desmond (18), who has been enjoying a great run of form recently, once again rose to the occasion surviving a triple tie break on 38 points to take the top spot. His back nine of 23 points was the clincher.

Ulster Cup captain, John Hancock (15), scored 21 points on the back nine to take the runners-up spot over Leslie Dickson (10) who was content to figure in the prizes after a long absence.

Former Prehen member, Leo Hickey (23), now domiciled in Australia, used his local knowledge to good effect to take the visitor’s prize on 37 points.

Kealan Quigg (1) returned 32 points to claim the gross prize and the ‘nines’ went to Alan Montgomery (21) with 19 points following a count-back and Billy Acheson (23) won the back nine on 23 points with five of them coming courtesy of a birdie ‘3’ at Foyle where he was in receipt of two shots.

Meanwhile, Sunday signalled yet another glorious day for the Ladies and Gents Long’s Supermarket Open.

And it was a man well used to featuring in the winners’ enclosure, Eamon McCourt (11), who headed the leader board again with a fine score of 42 points with equal nines of 21 points.

Lester Moore (1) claimed the best gross and second overall prize with his 39 points while Stephen McKeegan (7) finished in third place with 39 points just losing out on a tie break with Billy Henderson (11) securing a morale-boosting 4th place finish, his 37 points the best of a bunch on that score.

Another former Prehen member, Gerry Redden (9), and now plating out of Ballyliffin took the visitors’ prize with a modest 34 points.

In the ladies competition, Catherine McCanny took the honours with 36 points and she was followed home by Rose Campbell (15) with 33 points following a break of tie.

All prizewinners in the Open Week competitions are kindly requested to attend the prize-giving this Friday, June at 9.30pm.

The Everglades Hotel, Kelly Fuels, North-West Tyres, Campsie Paper Company and the City Hotel are the sponsors for the rest of this year’s Open Week and visitors can book their tee-times by ringing 71311496 or online at http://cityofderrygolfclub.com

Kelly’s Eye Was In

James Kelly (5) was just one of the 100 players inspired by the beautiful weather who took to Prehen’s fairways on Thursday last but he was the one who finished on top with a very creditable 42 points.

He played 34 strokes out and 36 strokes back for a one under gross. He was followed home in fine style by his playing companion Kealan Quigg (2) who only needed 68 shots for his 41 points and this was also the best gross of the day.

Conrad Smith (22) warmed up nicely for Open Week with a steady 40 points, 22 of them coming on the back nine. Irish Junior Cup team newcomer Chris Ross (7) justified the team manager’s selection by finishing in fourth place on 39 points on a count back.

Brian Wallace (9), Dunfanaghy, was the best of the visitors with 39 points. Tomorrow (Thursday) there is a Open will be sponsored by North-West Tyres and as part of the club’s Centenary Open Week will have a competition for gents and ladies.