Heavy rainfall disrupts play

WITH heavy rainfall in the northwest this past week, play at Strabane was somewhat interrupted.  The recent spell of good weather abruptly came to an end with uncharacteristic levels of rainfall for this time of year, much to the dismay of the eager members with perhaps the greens staff the only ones glad to see the deluge.

Following on from the blustery conditions the previous weekend, the forecast for Monday, June 21st was not far wrong and ensured that the early starters would enjoy the best of the conditions.  So much so in fact that many of those pencilled in for rounds later in the evening thought better of it and kept their gear dry for another day.

And it was Gary Henderson (13), continuing to improve his game at an impressive rate, who put together a typically consistent round of 41pts and top spot on the day. Damian Roarty (8) was next in line a point back on 40pts and will rue a blank in the middle of each nine, whilst Ben Corry (5) featured this week again with a fine 1 over par round for 40pts also, just nudged into third place after countback. 

Martin McDermott (6) took the gross prize on this occasion with 33pts.

With conditions a bit more favourable on the Thursday, clearly reflected in not only the scoring but the midweek entry of over 160, almost 100 more than the preceding Monday, it was the turn of Eoin O’Neill (5) to take top honours after break of tie with 40pts, signing for a +1 round that included four birdies.  Gary Henderson would feature yet again, taking second on the same return, ensuring the triggering of a deserved Exceptional Scoring Reduction on his handicap and edging him closer to the inevitability of single figures.

Third place would also require countback given that there were no less than seven returns a point further back on 39pts, with Club President Adrian McLaughlin (11) compiling a somewhat remarkable round to clinch 
it.  After a nightmare start which left him +8 after only five holes, Adrian holed out for an eagle two at 6 which proved to be somewhat of a kickstart.  Despite a double bogey at 14, Adrian showed true resolve to par the rest and prove that a recovery is always possible.  Fred McGavigan (4) scooped the gross prize on this occasion with a fine 
35pts.