Graham makes most of winter sunshine

It was more like an Irish summer’s day than a winter’s afternoon at Castlerock for the Ping PGA Ulster Golfer’s Alliance outing with Neil Graham making the most of the unusual conditions.

The Kirkistown Castle professional (above) eased his way over the seaside course in three-under-par 70 to be three shots clear of a chasing trio that included his brother Gareth. He shared level-par 73 with Damian Mooney and Gary Wardlow.

It was far from a good start by the winner as he suffered bogey fives at the first two holes, three-stabbing the opening green and missing the second with his approach. However, Graham settled the ship with an eagle three at the third hole to be back to level par. He was only three feet from the flag with a drive and four wood.

A chip and putt birdie four at five was followed by three pars before he steered an eight iron to 10 feet and rolled in the putt for a two at nine, which left him out in 34 blows (two-under).

With the hard work done, Graham pencilled in eight pars on the homeward trip plus another chip and putt birdie four at 17, after being short with a four wood and eight iron approach.

Portstewart member Sean McKillop topped the amateur’s nett leaderboard after carding 37 points off a 19 handicap. He was one point ahead of four players. Whitehead’s plus-one player Matthew Kane took the gross prize on level par 73 while Damian Mooney led home the winning team.

Ballyliffin attaché Mooney’s amateur partners were Graham Whitley 16 (Dunmurry), Niall Gallagher 13 (Hilton) and Rodney Clarke 16 (Dunmurry). They posted 87 points.

Next Tuesday, the final PGA Northern Branch tournament of the year will be an Ulster Golfers’ Alliance event at Ardglass and the next Ulster Grand Prix will be staged, also at Ardglass, on January 7.