Elliott produces a stunning display

Editorial Department • Published 23 Jul 2009 09:49 0 Comments

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Lakeland Open 2009; Enniskillen golfer John Elliott produced a stunning display of golf on day two of the Lakeland Open around the Enniskillen course to beat 160 competitors and lift the prestigious trophy. Over the two days, Elliott just did enough to claim victory over second place Geoff Sharpe on the countback. Elliott was well off pace after day one when he notched up 35 points at Castle Hume, but crucially he had not played himself out of contention like many other golfers after the first day's play. On day two over home territory he racked up the best score of the day, 42 points, when he went round in three over par for a 77 point total. The big hitting nine handicapper attributed his win to excellent playing conditions on both courses and in particular the slick greens.

Second placed golfer, Castle Hume man Geoff Sharpe, produced a consistent 38 and 39 points for his 77 point total. In a tournament were consistency over the two days proved to be key, John Ritchie demonstrated he was no hacker when he took third place on the podium, one point behind the top two. Ritchie had 37 points on day one followed with an impressive 39 points on day two.

Accomplished Enniskillen golfer Hugh Wylie proved he can still mix it with the youngsters and the big boys with his 74 point total, which secured fourth spot. A pair of 37s from the model of consistency was enough to beat Dara McManus and Steven Quinn into fifth and sixth places by virtue of a better score at Enniskillen. Both McManus and Quinn had 39 points on day one at Castle Hume, followed by 35 points on day two.

Steven Craig continued his excellent run of form with a 73 point total for a seventh place finish. Craig beat Stewart Burke and Dermot Gates on a countback into eighth and ninth places.

In the gross section, Castle Hume golfer Damian Hanna beat off some stiff competition and took the honours with 61 gross points. The six handicapper scored a steady 31 and 30 points over the two days. Clandeboye golfer and habitual Lakeland Open winner John Verner was runner up with a 60 point total, three ahead of third placed Seamus McGranaghan.

John Thompson picked up the daily prize at Castle Hume with the best individual score of the tournament, 43 points. Thompson was overnight leader but failed to produce the goods over the second 18 at Enniskillen to make it into the overall prizes. Eamon Corrigan's 41 points was enough to earn him the runner-up spot.

The Enniskillen daily prizes went to two men who played themselves out of contention on the first day. With 41 points, Pete Lutton squeezed Colin Reilly out of the top spot on the better second nine.

Michael Martin from Clandeboye won the daily gross at Castle Hume with 31 points, two points better than Enniskillen golfer Mark Howe. Stephen Gault did the business around his home course to win the daily gross at Ennislkillen with 29 points. Runner-up to Gault was Rodney Howe with 28 points.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 23 Jul 09

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