Captain Leonard Kelly was delighted that almost 80 golfers played in his strokeplay Captain’s Day at an immaculate Clogher Valley Golf Club last Friday and Saturday. Some pins were in very tricky positions and this helped produce one of the most challenging and entertaining Captain’s Days for many years.
Day one came and went, as did the hopes of many experienced golfers as they floundered under the challenge of the tight 10 hole course. An early leader in the clubhouse on Friday was Raymond Farrell (Lurgan) who played some delightful golf. After 16 holes Farrell was 4 under par and must have thought he had one hand on the Captains prize! A double bogey on 17 and a bogey on 18 saw him card a disappointing 1 under par nett 66 and wondering would he still be in contention!
From early morning on day two everyone was jockeying for position as they sought to out-think each other in plotting their way around the course. Pleasantries were exchanged as Captain Leonard greeted his guests and set the happy and relaxed tone for the day. 
As each fourball disappeared down the first fairway, sadly for some, so did their chances of wearing the ‘Green Jacket’ , as ‘Raymonds Rough’ proved to be ‘Amen Corner’ with several golfers kneeling, praying they could find their ball! Many players huffed and puffed as it became obvious it would take a great score to emerge the victor. 
As the last of the fourballs crossed Morrows Lane for the last time, it was the talented young prospect Ryan McCaughey who emerged from the pack to lift his first major. Ryan started with a cautious but steady front nine and at the turn the 15 handicapper was 6 over par gross (nett 2 under par). The young Tyrone man did what all Tyrone teams do in the second half by stepping it up a gear! He proved how good a player he really is with a great birdie on the tricky 15th to compliment five pars and three bogeys on the second nine and leaving him carding a fantastic 7 under par nett 60. A trio of experienced players in Paul Colgan, Malachy Graham and Charlie Keys all had chances to claim Captain Leonard’s first prize but all had their hopes blown away in the swirling wind as they all stumbled with bogeys on three of the last four holes. 
An evening of great food, great company and great craic ensued and Captain Leonard made sure that the relaxed and happy atmosphere continued with his witty and entertaining speech, thanking his wife Shauna and family for their support and indeed everyone who had contributed to his Captain’s Day. Also particular credit was given to Greenkeeper Raymond Farrell and the members who assisted for having the course in absolute pristine condition. Captain Leonard congratulated Ian, Linda and Nadine Farrell on their beautiful newly re-furbished and re-named Rusk’s Restaurant and spoke of how the club had really progressed this year with new mowers and equipment, an increasing membership, new sponsors, and a new office.
And so ended a fantastic day with music, laughter, craic, and Micky Harte being heard into the wee small hours! But it was young Ryan McCaughey who showed he’s the top golfer in the McCaughey family, and it’s Ryan who will have the bragging rights in the McCaughey household for the next 12 months at least as he turned Captain’s Day into Ryan’s Day!
Captains Day Winners:-
1st Ryan McCaughey(15) Nett 60
2nd Paul Colgan(16) Nett 61 on count back
3rd President Malachy Graham(11) Nett 61
Gross Roger Howe 78
Front 9 Charlie Keys
Back 9 Michael McCaughey
Near Pin Eamon Martin
Long Drive Stan Montgomery
1st Senior Victor Collum
Past Captain Norman Lyons Nett 69
1st Visitor Peter Croft (Castle Hume GC) 34pts
2nd Visitor Noel Quinn (Captain Fintona GC) 33pts
1st Lady Henrietta Willis Nett 68
2nd Lady Linda Armstrong Nett 70
Ladies Near Pin Gillian Chartres