Carroll hangs on to win after storming start

A roller-coaster outward nine, kicked off with back-to-back pars at the two opening holes for three pointers, set Austin Carroll (20) on his way to claiming top prize with 42 points in the weekend Cathedral Financial Autumn Series 18 holes Stableford competition.
Austin built on his impressive start with a further brace of three pointers at the par four fourth and par five seventh holes as well as giving his score a major boost with a birdie two at the fifth hole for four points to reach the turn in 23 points.
He had an up and down back nine, parring the par five 10th and par three 13th holes for three pointers, dropped a little on other holes, before finishing with a swagger by parring the par three 17th and par four 18th holes for three pointers, to come home with 19 points.
His one point better back nine just squeezed out Derek Murdock (14) who also finished on 42 points but had to settle for the runners up prize on countback. Derek set a blistering pace on his outward nine, birding the par four opening hole for four points before adding five three pointers to turn on 24 points.
He struggled to keep the momentum going on the back nine before finishing in style with a par three on the 17th hole for three points and birding the par four 18th hole for four points to come home in 18 points.
The divisional winners were Aidan Thornton (6), Martin Byrne (18) and Conor Marron (23).
In the mid-week Open Singles Stableford Competition sponsored by McKenna Man it was also the opening nine that proved decisive, with Mark Baillie (40) racking up a highly impressive 27 points that would spur him on to taking the overall winner’s prize with a final tally of 43 points.
On his outward nine scoring spree Mark parred the par four second hole for four points, added back-to-back four pointers at the par four fourth and par three fifth holes, tagged on another four points at the par five seventh, and sprinkled his score with three pointers at the par five sixth and par three ninth holes to turn on 27 points.
He struggled to maintain his high scoring momentum on the closing nine despite starting off with three points at the par five 10th hole and four points at the low index par four 11 th hole but battled on, racking up three points at the par four 14th hole and three solid two pointers to come hope in 16 points.
The divisional winners were Kenneth Cairns (13), Warrenpoint’s James McGrath (19), and Mannan Castle’s Ronan Molloy (24).
Sunday, 15 September - Cathedral Financial Autumn Series 18 holes Stableford – Overall: Austin Carroll (20) 42/19pts, Derek Murdock (14) 42/18pts. Division 1: Aidan Thornton (6) 41pts, David Carroll (4) 38pts. Division 2: Martin Byrne (18) 39pts, Barry Grennan (17) 38pts. Division 3: Conor Marron (23) 41pts, Gerry Byrne (22) 39pts. Gross Recognition: Aidan Thornton (6) 41pts.
Wednesday, 18 September - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Mark Baillie (40) 43pts. Division 1: Kenneth Cairns (13) 41pts. Division 2: James McGrath (19, Warrenpoint) 39pts. Division 3: Ronan Molloy (24 Mannan Castle) 42pts. Gross Recognition: Joseph Laverty 37pts.