All the news and happenings from the local golf clubs

The turkey season continued at the weekend in Ballycastle and despite some strong gusty winds it was another weekend of high scoring.

On Saturday the battle for the Division One bird was fought out by two earlier turkey winners, Gerard Waide (13) and George McVeigh (14), with both returning 44 points.

But it was ‘Fly’ who emerged on top courtesy of a better back nine, while George had to be content with his two’s at the third and 10th holes.

These two players will undoubtedly be the subject of potential cuts at the next Match and Handicap meeting along with a number of other high scorers from the turkey season.

Eamon Hackett (12) took third spot with 42 points.

The Division Two bird proved even harder to catch but Michael Lewis (15) was up to the task with a splendid 46 points total that included two’s at the 10th and 13th holes as well as seven pars on the rest of the back nine for a super 27 points.

John McSparran (16) was second on 45 points while Tommie Simpson (15) lit up his Christmas tree with 44 points in 3rd place.

Rory Gallagher topped Division One on Sunday with 42 points off his five handicap, which included birdies at first, fifth, sixth, 11th and 12th holes. Second place went to Francis McGinn (2) with 38 points, ahead of Roland Kearns (13) in third place also on 38 points.

In Division Two this time last year Kevin Traynor (16) was on fire and he climbed to the top of the podium again with an excellent 45 points, his three birdies cancelling out his three double-bogeys.

Dessie Higgins (19) took second place on 41 points while Philip Michael (19) who just missed out on third place on Saturday, got onto the rostrum on Sunday with 39 points for third place.

For Francis Og McGinn it was a very special Sunday, as the young man recorded his first ever hole-in-one at the treacherous 10th.

Bonanza weekend takes place next Saturday and Sunday when players compete for prizes including meat, drink, golf equipment and gift vouchers and every competitor is guaranteed a prize.

Members are reminded that the prizes for bonanza will be distributed in the clubhouse at 6pm on the following Saturday 21st December.

This will be followed by the Bonanza Dinner at 7pm. Members wishing to attend the dinner are asked to put their names on the sheet on display at the results board.

BROWN TROUT WINTER LEAGUE

Week eight of the nine week Star Fuels Sponsored Winter League was completed at the weekend.

Alan Smyton (24) was the clear winner by two points with a fine score of 42 points. 20 after nine adding 22, Alan included eight pars on his card.

Two players each returned 40 points each with Jimmy Kelly (9) claiming the runner-up spoils with a better back nine after nines of 19 and 21.

Sam Reid (11) in third place had 20 points each nine. Jimmy included a birdie in each nine, a three at the sixth and finishing off in style when he nearly holed out at the eighteenth giving him a tap in for his two!