The Trolan Greensomes has now reached the Finals Stage.
The Semi Finals Results were as follows:
Stephen & Paul Garrett bt Trevor Kelly & Kenny Woodrow at the 18th.
Stephen & Nigel Macauley bt Christy O Neill & Clifford Dunlop at the 18th.
Both matches were very close and no doubt we can look forward to an excellent Final.
Strand Competition – Centenary Trophy & ILGU Medal
Winner: Brenda Strain (13) 74
Gross: Julie McCartney (11) 89
Runner up: Hazel Browne (15) 76
Riverside Voucher
Winner: Bertha Dalzell (27) 34 points
Runner up: Marian Hamilton (35) 31 points
COURSE NEWS LETTER. MAY 2016
Use of Rescue
At the end of last season you may remember we applied the Rescue product (for removing Ryegrass) to the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14th fairways of the Strand. The use of Rescue is not a ‘one hit wonder’ and so further applications will be made shortly.
Over recent weeks Rescue has been applied to the Strand greens 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 and 17 to selectively remove coarse grass species (Ryegrass and Yorkshire Fog) that if left would appear as ‘different’ patches of grass.
The application of these chemicals has, as expected left the greens thin and pale. In anticipation of the effect the chemicals would have, a significant amount of over-sowing and top-dressing has been carried out. Germination of sown species is making slow progress but will be encouraged by improving soil temperature and light applications of nutrient.
Further over-sowing and top-dressing will take place over the coming weeks. As the population of desirable species build up density will increase and be maintained by suitable amounts of aeration, nutrient and water. So that maximum establishment of seedlings can be achieved height of cut will not be lower than 5mm (bench setting). Green speed, will instead be achieved by rolling.
The use of Rescue will cause thin areas, that during the growing season will be over-sown if suitable weather conditions prevail.
10th 13th and 14th
The illustration in the foyer makes plain the Greens Committee’s intentions for these holes. We have started to make the tees for the 14th. Although the tees seem to be ‘out in the wilderness’ at the moment they will eventually have dunes on their far side to isolate them from the Riverside.
The Greens Committee are yet to discuss how best to re-establish the 4th Riverside hole but are keen not to be ‘hamstrung’ by the Riverside course while developing the Strand. The Greenstaff have a considerable amount of work to do in ensuring the Strand is ready for next year, only after events of next year will due consideration be given to the Riverside 4th hole.
Bernard Findlay
Course Manager
The Final of the Trolan Greensomes was played on Sunday and The Macauley Brothers beat The Garrett Brothers at the 16th Hole.
This was a final between the Big Guns in the club at the minute . The Garretts currently hold the Junior and Senior Scratch Cup Titles and the Macauley Brothers won the Mc Hugh Pairs last year and were going for the double.
The conditions were very difficult for both pairs with constant rain and wind but the Macauleys got off to a good start and were three up at the turn. The big hitting Garretts rallied with a great birdie at 13 but when the 14th and 15th were halved it was always going to be difficult for the Garretts as they were giving shots at 16 and 17. As it turned out 16 was halved to give Stephen and Nigel Macauley a unique double but great credit to both pairs in producing some good golf in difficult conditions.
A big thank you to the Trolan Brothers for their generous sponsorship of this competition which they have supported for several years. 59 pairs took part to show how popular this format is and who would bet against Nigel and Stephen going for the treble with the current McHugh Pairs now under way.
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NORTH OF IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Qualifying in Portstewart
11th & 12th July 2016
PRACTICE DAYS STRAND COURSE CLOSED FROM
Saturday 9th July 2016 from 2.45pm
Sunday 10th July 2016 from 10.30am – 12 noon and after 1.30pm
QUALIFYING DAYS STRAND COURSE CLOSED ALL DAY
Monday 11th July 2016 & Tuesday 12th July 2016
Junior /beginners prize winners in the 9 hole mini challenge on the final day of the girls coaching course.
1st Rebecca Ross
Runner up Keeva Campbell
Joint 3rd Rose & Molly Crocker
Senior improver 9 hole challenge
1st Ciara Campbell
Runner up Nicole Kelly
Joint 3rd Lia Webb, Aimee Tweed
Congratulations to Frank Trainor and Trevor Boyle on reaching the Coronation Cup Final!
This is one of the majors in the club calendar where players have to qualify as one of the 64 to enter the match play stages. Thus Frank and Trevor have come through the qualifying and then five rounds of match play to reach this stage …a great achievement in itself.
On Sunday 3rd they played the final off the Blue Markers ..as in all rounds ..and Frank won at the fifteenth hole. The match was all square at the turn but Frank moved up a gear in the back nine and proved just too strong for the very consistent Trevor.
This makes it a double for Frank as he was defending this cup after his victory last year and this must surely rank him as one of the best match players in the club. Team captains for next year should note the name and get this man on to an Ulster Cup Team.
Captain’s Day – Mr Gerry Hassan
Strand Course
Saturday 25th June, 2016
Position: Score
1st Damian Campbell 41pts
2nd Ryan McKay 39pts (17&22)
3rd Mark Scott 39pts
Gross Chris Barber 74
Seniors (+65) Bob Cummings 37pts
Council Prize Paul Hewitt 36pts
Past Captain’s Mark Windebank 33pts
Riverside Thomas Duffy 40pts
1st Visitor Niall McGahon 30pts
2nd Visitor Paul Densham 23pts
1st Juvenile Louis Densham 19pts (9 holes)
2nd Juvenile Liam Purcell 19pts (9 holes)
1st Ladies Susan Kelly 42 points (better back 9)
2nd Ladies Liz Coole 42pt
Success for Portstewart players in North.
Portstewart players Adam Brown and Chris Barber qualified for the match play stages of the North of Ireland Amateur with scores of 151 and 150 respectively.
Both players won their first round matches….Adam at the 19th and Chris by a 3&2 score. In the second round Chris had very bad luck loosing at the 3rd extra hole and Adam lost to the talented Dean Crawford 3&2.
Portstewart can be very proud of these two very talented young golfers as they continue their progress and develop their obvious skills.
Congratulations also to Owen Crooks playing out of Bushfoot but also now a member of Portstewart as he also qualified for the match play stages and has made it through to the last 16. We wish him well on Thursday.
Adam Brown teeing off in his 1st Round match in the North of Ireland Amat. at Portrush
Chris Barber in his 2nd Round Match in the North of Ireland Amat. at Portrush
Girls Alliance, Portstewart Team.
GIRLS ALLIANCE, PORTSTEWART TEAM Team – Lia Webb, Jasmine Morris, Nicole Kelly, Aimee Tweed – Juvenile organisers Susan Anderson & Pauline Agnew Winners RPGC 34 points R/up PGC 29 points CGC 29 points
Portstewart Golf Club Summer Bumper Day Competition sponsored by Miss Designer Golf. Winner Maggie Penny receiving prize from Lady Captain Irene Murray. Also pictures are Lady President Anne Paul, Jennifer Mullan, Rebecca Lemon, Celine Harley, Hazel Campbell & Claire Harley.
Portstewart Golf Club’s Past Lady Captain’s Day received a good turn out on Friday 1st July. Winner Mo Giffin is pictured receiving her prize from Lady Captain Irene Murray.
Portstewart Golf Club ladies played in the Lafone Cup on Wednesday 22nd June 2016. Fiona Kilgore won with 34 points, runner up was Thelma Smith with 34 points, 3rd was Kae McCarron, also with 34 points and in 4th place Clare Harley with 33 points.. The gross prize went to Una Bradley of Kilrea Golf Club. The Lafone Cup was kindly sponsored by PVC Direct.
Pictured are Lady President Anne Paul, Louie Fillis, Kae McCarron, Sponsor Jane Glenn, Winner Fiona Kilgore, Lady Captain Irene Murray, Sponsor Gillian Hargan & Claire Harley.
On Wednesday 4th May 68 ladies played on the Strand Links in Portstewart to contest in the Aveline England Memorial Trophy. Playing conditions were very tough with high winds all day. Diane Thompson-McKay of Portstewart (32) came in the winner with 35 points. The gross went to Karen Hetherington (6) Lady Captain from Dungannon with 21 gross points. Runner up was Hazel Browne (15) with 34 points over Susan Anderson (18). 4th place went to Doreen Fleming (15) with 32 points. Jane Glenn (13) won the front 9 with 17 points and back 9 went to Hazel Annesley (21) from Dungannon with 18 points.
A special prize was also donated by our sponsor Wild Geese of a Glider Flight which was raffled and won by Jane Glenn. The raffle raised £112 and was donated to Cancer Research.
Other presentations on the evening of Wednesday 4th May were:-
Macmillan Cancer – Winner: Christine Hutchinson, Runner up: Fiona Kilgore;
St. Patrick’s Day Voucher – Winner: Sylvia Shaw, Runner up: Anne-Marie Donaghy;
Lifeboat – Winner: Alison Bann, Runner up: Jane Glenn;
Mary Peters – Winner: Moraig McCrum, Runner up: Corinna O’Neill;
PGA Tankard/ILGU Medal – Winner: Irene Murray (Lady Captain), Runner up: Susan Anderson
Nellie Garrett Foursomes – Winners: Rosie Millar & Ina Brattan, Runners up: Evelyn O’Neill & Corinna O’Neill
Laurel Hill Trophy – Winner: Susan Anderson, Gross: Maggie Penny, Runner up: Fiona Kilgore;
Australian Spoons – Winners: Moraig McCrum & Rosie Millar, Gross: Sheelagh Duffy & Rae Kernohan
Pictured is sponsor Maggie Penny of Wild Geese presenting a prize to Susan Anderson who scored a superb eagle at the 8th.
Moore Brown Quarter Finalists:
David Higgins and Robert Murphy before Tee Off.
David beat Robert at the 18th
Chris Barber and Ferghal Stewart before Tee Off.
Ferghal won at the 18th.
Conor Harley and Ivor Turkington before Tee Off.
Conor won at the 18th.
Adam Brown and Russell Fillis before Tee Off.
Adam won at the 15th.
Moore Brown Semi Finals:
Moore Browne Semi Finals on Wed 27th July at 5.00P.M.
Adam Browne V David Higgins
Ferghal Stewart v Conor Harley
Final on Friday 29th July at 5.00 P.M.
David Higgins beat Adam Brown 2up
Ferghal Stewart beat Conor Harley 5/3
Portstewart Golf Club will host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open next year, setting up a three-week spell of links golf culminating in the Open Championship.
The Irish Open was held at the K Club in May this year and won by tournament host Rory McIlroy, but will be staged from July 6-9 in 2017, immediately preceding the Scottish Open at Dundonald and the Open at Royal Birkdale.
It is the third time the tournament will be played north of the border in six years after previous outings at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
McIlroy said: “Portstewart is an excellent links course and one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems, so it’s great news that we are taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open their next year.
“Winning at the K Club earlier this year was without doubt one of the highlights of my career, and I’m already looking forward to defending my title at Portstewart next July.
“The crowds at Portrush and Royal County Down were unbelievable and I’m sure the people of Northern Ireland will come out to support the tournament again next year.”
The Scottish Open is guaranteed its coveted place in the calendar up to and including 2020, although the Irish Open is keen for that to change.
Speaking earlier this month, Martin Gilbert – chief executive of Scottish Open sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management – said: “I keep telling them they should switch the Irish and the French Open, and then you have the Irish, Scottish, then, the British. That would be the much more logical arrangement.”
Congratulations to Ferghal Stewart on beating David Higgins in the final match after both had played many excellent rounds.
