Ryan bags President’s Prize by matching course record

Andrew Crawford, a member of Lisburn Golf Club for 56 years hosted his first President’s Day of his term of office on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Sep 2014, 09:00 BST
President's Prize winner Ryan Symington (right) is congratulated by Lisburn GC President Andrew Crawford.President's Prize winner Ryan Symington (right) is congratulated by Lisburn GC President Andrew Crawford.
President's Prize winner Ryan Symington (right) is congratulated by Lisburn GC President Andrew Crawford.

Ryan Symington, the lowest handicapper at the club, was the man to take top spot and, in a field of 250, he needed to match the course record to do it.

He came agonisingly close to breaking the record, only a double-bogey at the 16th denying him.

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Ryan (+1), the only member of Lisburn Golf Club whose handicap is under scratch, is one of four golfers to have scored 66 playing off the white marker course par 72 (SSS=72). He’s a man who enjoys the big occasion, having previously shot a 66 in the 2011 Captain’s Day.

The Ladies Prize winner was Mrs. Norma Cairns (left), who shot 36 points.The Ladies Prize winner was Mrs. Norma Cairns (left), who shot 36 points.
The Ladies Prize winner was Mrs. Norma Cairns (left), who shot 36 points.

He did it on this occasion without having any twos on his card. Stepping off the 14th green, where he had an eagle three, he was eight under par and a 65 was a clear possibility. After parring the 15th, he took a double bogey on hole 16 and parred out for a 66 gross.

Ryan was one of 120 golfers teeing off before 11am who did not have to battle with the rain. Unfortunately, those teeing off after 11am had rain at some part of their round. Nick Orr & Robert MacKinnon teeing off at 3.50pm still managed to complete their rounds by 7.30pm and score well despite the conditions.

Michael Allison took second place, losing out to Ryan on the count-back over the homeward nine holes. Michael Glover, playing on Friday took third prize and Billy Lutton had a better last six holes than David Waterworth or Ian Kenny to take fourth prize.

Prize Winners

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Ivor McCandless (right) was the top performing Past President with 35 points.Ivor McCandless (right) was the top performing Past President with 35 points.
Ivor McCandless (right) was the top performing Past President with 35 points.

First: Ryan Symington (+1) 41 pts. Second; Michael Allison (10) 41 pts. Third: Michael Glover (23) 40 pts. Fourth: Billy Lutton (25) 39 pts. Gross: Stuart Campbell (5) 33 gross pts. Juvenile : Peter Kelly(16) 40 pts. Over 60s: Tom Crawford (17) 38 pts. Past President : Ivor McCandless (14) 35 pts. The senior putting prize was won by George Stephens and the junior putting prize was won by Kyle Patton.

Ladies Prize

On the Tuesday prior to Presidents Day, 71 lady club members played for President Andrew Crawford’s prizes.

On that day the weather was much better with no rain but it was a bit windy. The ladies prizes were also presented at the President’s night dinner dance in the clubhouse. The prize winners were: First. Norma Cairns (36) 36 points. Second : Greta Clarke (26) 34 pts. Third: Bernie McDonald (21) 34 pts. Best Gross Janice Wallace (13). Nine hole winner: Joan Goodman.