Barry checks out Captain's prize
The very notion of winning Captain's Day at County Armagh Golf Club was one which 25-year-old Barry Scully hadn't really considered, or rather hadn't time to consider.
Indeed before 10pm the previous night the young Keady supermarket employee didn't even have a tee-time to play in the competition!
"I wasn't for playing at at all until I got a text on Friday night from Ian O'Hea to say he had a space in his four-ball along with my boss Conlon Rice and Damien Murray," explained Barry. "I text him back to say I would take it but Ian didn't reply. He'd drafted the text but forgot to send it. Anyway, eventually I got confirmation I was to play at 8.52am. If I wanted to play this was going to be my only chance."
And he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to produce a superb winning score of 45 stableford points. In front of a packed clubhouse a delighted Barry was presented with a beautiful print of a painting by well-known artist James H Flack, a brother of County Armagh Club Captain John Flack.
For the golf pureists, Barry's winning score was achieved with a magnificient 24 points over the front nine holes accompanied by a further 21 points over the back nine.
"To be honest I don't recall much about the round," admitted the 21-handicapper. "I know I birdied the sixth hole, because that was my only birdie. I had a par at the 16th which is the hardest hole on the course and that pleased me no end, and I hit a brilliant drive at the 18th to set me up for a par to finish. Other than that I'd say it was a steady round."
It was however, to prove a winning round. Daryl Lawson came closest to the top scoring Barry with 44points - the 18 handicapper recording 23 and 21 points respectively over front and back nine holes.
Temperatures soared throughout the competition which, due to the large numbers taking part, was run over two days and with the city course in immaculate condition, the anticipated high scoring was soon realised.
Kenny Edgar led home the Category winners with 42 points. The 8-handicapper produced a level par front nine for 22points and added a further 22 after a 2-over back nine - the only blemish on his otherwise perfect card, a double bogey six at the final hole!
Jonathan Black's 41 points earned him the Category 2 (13-18 handicap) prize, recording an impressive 23 points on his homeward trek to compliment 18 chalked up over the front nine holes. And in similar fashion Tom Donnelly took Category 3 with 41 points with scores of 18 and 23 respectively.
Three birdies in a 2-under par back nine highlighted Stewart Stevenson's best gross score of the day and with 35 gross points, he deservedly picked up the Gross Prize.
A very steady round including a birdie 2 at the 7th hole, and total 41 points secured Tom Calvert the Past Captain and President's Prize. And Patrick Brannigan (jnr) lifted the Council and Committee Prize with an excellent 39 points.
They were among the many who joined in the clubhouse celebrations which followed with Captain John Flack who welcomed family and friends alike and together were treated to a sumptuous meal in the Green Room Restaurant before applauding and toasting all of the winning players. The Captain's wife Toni joined him for the presentation of prizes including that to James Conlon who, with 39 points and on a back nine holes countback, won the Overseas/ Country / 18-24 age Category.
And Past Captain Michael Grant paid fitting tribute to the current officio to round up yet another hugely successful Captain's Day at County Armagh Golf Club.
County Armagh Golf Club Captain John Flack is pictured with all of the competition winners on Captain’s Day
Barry Scully, winner of County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, is presented with his prize by Club Captain John Flack and his wife Toni
County Armagh Golf Club Captain John Flack is pictured with the Juvenile competition winners on Captain’s Day (from left) Ciarrai Devlin, Anna Jennings, Ronan Mallon and Joe Rooney
James Conlon, is presented with the 18-24 age group category prize by Mrs Toni Flack, wife of club Captain John
Patrick Brannigan, winner of the Council and Committee Prize at County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, is presented with his prize by Club Captain John Flack and his wife Toni
Tom Calvert, winner of the Past Captain and Presidents Prize at County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, is presented with his prize by Club Captain John Flack and his wife Toni
Stewart Stevenson, Gross Prize winner at County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, is presented with his prize by Club Captain John Flack and his wife Toni
Jonathan Black, Category 2 winner at County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, collects his prize from Mrs Toni Flack, wife of club Captain John
Kenny Edgar, Category 1 winner at County Armagh Golf Club Captain’s Day, is presented with his prize by Club Captain John Flack and his wife Toni
Flo McCall, runner up in the Captain’s Day Ladies competition, is congratulated by Club Captain John Flack
Collette McAleavey, receives the Ladies Prize from County Armagh Golf Club Captain John Flack
Maureen Hanna receives her Visitor’s Prize from County Armagh Golf Club Captain John Flack