strong finish lands president's prize for murray

 A strong finish with straight pars on the final three closing holes saw Conor Murray
(13) with a nett 68 just edge out close competition to win President Gerry Campbell’s
prize in the weekend 18 holes stroke play competition.
 
Conor set out his intentions early with birdies at the par four first and par five seventh holes while sprinkling his outward nine with pars at the third, fifth and ninth holes to reach the turn in nett 35.
 
On the back nine, after parring the par five 10th and 12th holes he added another par at the 14th  before finishing in style with straight pars at the par four 16th and 18th holes and par three 17th hole to come home in nett 33.
 
His strong finish just edged out Seanan Duffy (10) who had to settle for the runner-up
position after carding nett 34’s on both nines to also finish on nett 68. His round was
highlighted with birdies at the par five sixth and 10th holes and par three 13th.
 
A clear indication of the intensity of competition over the two days was evident from
the fact that the three divisional winners, Edward Rogers (5), Neil Smyth (15) and
Alan Uzell (22), as well as Veterans prize winner Austin Shaw (7), all finished on nett
69.
 
A memorable back nine surge of a birdie and eight pars propelled Shane McMahon
(7) from Warrenpoint Golf Club to victory in the mid-week Open Singles Stableford
Competition sponsored by McKenna Man with 43 points.
 
Shane started his outward nine in impressive style with three straight pars before
adding a birdie four at the sixth hole and tagged on straight pars from the seventh to the ninth holes to reach the turn on 21 points.
 
He maintained his solid, consistent scoring on the closing nine, birding the par five 10th hole for three points and adding a combination of three pointers and two pointers with pars on the remaining eight holes to come home in 22 points.
 
Runner up Christy Ward (9), with 42 points, parred the first hole for three points and
added a run of three pointers from the sixth to the eighth holes to turn on 21 points. His 21 points on the back nine included three pointers at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th  holes.
 
The divisional winners were Gerard Brennan (5) 40pts, Patrick Gray (21) 42pts and
Derek Williams (23) 39pts.
 
Saturday, 24 August and Sunday, 25 August - President’s Prize 18 Hole Stroke
Play – Overall: Conor Murray (13) 68/32.5, Senan Duffy (10) 68/34.  Gross: Mark Gorham 70. Veteran: Austin Shaw (7) 69/32.5. Division 1: Edward Rogers (5) 69/35.5, Cameron Kilcoyne (6) 70, Vincent Conlon (10) 71. Division 2: Neil Smyth (15) 69/33.5, Kenneth Lynch (16) 69/34, Kieran Arthurs (14) 69/36. Division 3: Alan Uzell (22) 69/34, Derek Williams (23) 69/34.5, Sean Ward (28) 70.
 
Wednesday, 28 August - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Shane McMahon (7) 43pts, Christy Ward (9) 42pts. Division 1: Gerard Brennan (5) 40 pts. Division 2: Patrick Gray (21) 42pts. Division 3: Derek Williams (23) 39pts. Gross Recognition: Joseph Laverty (1) 35pts.