Stephen wins by three points in Raceview bonanza

The event went ahead as scheduled on December 13, with the competition played on temporary greens.

Winner Stephen Craig (15) returned a total of 33 points for the 13 holes played.

The total included a non-score on the par four fifth.

Stephen played the first nine holes with six pars, bogeys at the second and ninth, plus that non-score for a total of 23 points.

He then added another 10 points from the final four holes where he scored three bogeys plus another par at the final hole.

His total left him three points ahead of second placed Nigel Douglas (13) who had a handicap allowance of a shot on each hole.

Nigel’s first nine holes yielded 22 points having scored two pars, five bogeys, a double bogey on the par three second plus a birdie on the par four fifth which was worth four points alone.

The final four holes resulted in a dropped shots on the 10th, 11th and 12th but he managed a par at the last.

The best gross card came from Gary Black (1) who played the course in one under gross

Meanwhile, Steven Bell continued his good run of form at Ballymena Golf Club in the previous Saturday sweep competition.

Having won his category the previous week, the 14-handicapper went one better, winning the overall first prize.

He posted a total of 31 points and on a better last four hole total of 12 points, against 11 points from Ken Herbison.

Bell scored six pars, five bogeys plus a double bogey on the par five third.

Steven put in a very strong last four holes which he played with three pars and a dropped shot on the 10th, for a vital 12 points.

Fourteen handicapper Herbison’s card contained four pars, four bogeys, double bogeys on the fifth and 12th, plus birdies on the ninth and 13th.

However, he had a non-event on the sixth hole, which proved costly in the overall context.

Category two was won by Ferguson McKelvey (7) with a total of 28 points.

They came from eight pars, three bogeys and a birdie on the 13th, while his card also contained a non-score on the 12th.

Category three went to Bobby Carson (11), who posted a total of 31 points for his round.

Bobby scored four pars, six bogeys and birdies on the third and 13th, but against that, he had a double concession on the par four fifth.

Category four saw William Montgomery return the best card where he scored 30 points from his handicap allowance of 16 shots.

Paul Darragh (4) was on the winners’ podium again as he returned the best gross card of the day, playing the course in four over par, 54 shots.