Captain Rodney Howe hosted Enniskillen Golf Club’s 132nd Captain’s Day on Saturday. 
Captain Rodney Howe has strong ties to the club having started the game as a Junior along with his brothers Glenn and Mark under the watchful eyes of their parents Derek and Pearl Howe. Indeed both parents are not only long standing members of the club but also served in their respective roles as Club Steward and caterer. In that respect being Captain for 2016 is both a personal and family honour for Rodney. In his Captain’s speech he thanked his wife Lucia for her support and promised that he would return to household chores with immediate effect. Also joining Rodney for the day were his son and daughter who cheerfully staffed the refreshments stand.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of playing with Rodney will be left in no doubt about his passion and commitment for sport in general and golf in particular. This is manifested not just for the game of golf but also for Enniskillen Golf Club and specifically the course. 
As Green’s Convenor for six years, prior to passing that baton to Gary Smyth, Rodney worked tirelessly with his committee to improve the quality and condition of the course for members. The fact that this was achieved (and continues to be achieved) with little or no financial resources to rely on is all the more remarkable. The work continues under Smyth’s stewardship and was plain to see on Saturday as the course was presented in magnificent condition with currently some of the best greens around.
At the prize-giving that night, he Captain paid tribute to all club staff and those members who were either on the Council, captaining club teams or who had generously volunteered their time for the many tasks that were needed to be completed around the course. He also thanked club professional Liam McCool for his tremendous support and help throughout the year. Chief cheerleader on the day was Vice- Captain Ian Lyttle and following his master of ceremonies role it was widely acclaimed that he potentially has a future career in the diplomatic corps. Ian’s witty and erudite remarks, throughout the evening, set the tone for some very good natured banter and underscored the close personal friendship both he and Rodney share.
The epithet that lightening doesn’t strike twice was proven not to be correct as Michael Lavin claimed the 2016 captain’s prize. 
His first win was in 1998 when Jim O’Kane was Club Captain and he has featured in the prizes consistently in the intervening years.
 Playing off a 20 handicap he carded a gross 86 shots to finish with a net 66. In a stroke play competition, it is important to stay out of trouble and avoid disasters so Michael’s solid round of four pars and 13 bogeys with only one double bogey, on the second hole, was enough for him to claim first place on the day.
Beaten into second place and playing off 13 was the ubiquitous Brian Doran whose triple bogey on the difficult first hole must have given him nightmares about facing a very long day on the course. 
Showing remarkable powers of recovery, he went on to record 11 pars and six bogeys to finish with a gross 80 (net 67) just one shot behind the winner.
Third place was claimed by Bob Clements who finished with a gross 86 (net 67). Double bogeys on the fifth, 11th, 12th and 18th damaged what should have been the winning card. 
Nevertheless, seven pars evenly matched with seven bogeys completed a very respectable round.
The Men’s gross prize was won by Gerry Tierney (10) with a gross score of 78 (net 68) but birdies on the eighth and 17th holes were undone by double bogeys at the first and second holes.
Junior’s gross prize was won by Harry Thompson (8) who carded a gross 76 (net 68).
The Past Captains Salver is always a keenly fought contest and this year’s winner was Ronnie Little (15) with a net 70 just two ahead of Bill Robinson (13).
The front nine was won by Terry Stevenson (19) with a net 33 and the back nine was claimed by Declan Maguire (17) again with a net 33.
Nearest the pin on the par 3 sixth hole delivered a spectacular result for Teddy Elliott (21) as he watched his pitch shot sail effortlessly to the green and drop quietly into the hole for a hole in one. 
Teddy however, is no stranger to a hole in one as this brings to four the number that he has recorded to date.
The visitors’ prize was won by Mark Brown (9) from Castle Hume.
Earlier in the week the EGGS and the LEGS competed for the captain’s prize in their respective competitions. 
Winner in the Men’s section was Eric Whitaker with 21 points and Sally Redmond claimed the Ladies prize also with 21 points.