Paul ‘Cooke’s up an impressive score

The final qualifying Open event of a unique 2020 season proved to be worth the wait for Paul Cooke (17) who claimed his maiden victory of the season with an impressive 43pts.

After a number of weeks where the course was the undoubted winner, limiting the best totals to sub-40 for the best part of a month, it was nice to once again see a number of players beat their handicaps.

Paul’s round got off to the ideal start with a birdie 3 at the 1st, laying a solid foundation, in this inaugural fixture sponsored by Clontara Developments, for a great front nine.

Despite a few early blips on the back side, another birdie 3 at 15 got things back to plan and a composed finish was enough to take the spoils by two strokes and cap a great season of continued improvement.

Mark Sharkey (21) was next up with a fine 41pts, a total which would have been good enough to claim top spot at any time recent weeks, as would the 40pts posted by John McMenamin (12) who came in third.

Martin Rouse (10) and Leonard Devine (26) closed out the top five nett prizewinners after countback was required to hand them fourth and fifth places respectively after both returning 38pts.

Kevin Gallagher (2) shot +5 to take the gross, with Peter Etherson (17) and Rory Gallagher (15) scooping the respective nines.

As mentioned above, this was the final sponsored qualifier of the year, and a special word of thanks to club member John Gallagher of Clontara Developments to initiate a sponsor partnership with the Club in this most testing of years for everyone.

FULL STORY IN LAST THURSDAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE