IT was Tom Fee's President's Day last Saturday. The highlight of the day was the final of the Fourball Matchplay Championship.
After six rounds of intense competition, the two pairs left standing were Conor Campbell and Eugene Weir plus Joe Thompson and Joe Glass.
They hit off the first tee at 1.30 pm and this is how the final unfolded:
1st: Eugene wins it with a birdi
e three.
2nd: The two Joes square the match with a nett birdie.
3rd: Another birdie for Eugene. One up again.
4th: Joe T. wins it with a nett birdie. All square.
5th: Eugene is playing superbly. Wins the hole with yet another birdie.
6th: Joe T. squares the match again with a nett birdie.
7th: Eugene and Conor come up short. Joe G. wins with a par. He’s one up.
8th: Joe G. holes from fifteen feet for a par and a half. Stays one up.
9th: Halved in par. The two Joes turn one up.
10th: Terrific tee shot from Eugene sets up a winning par. All square again.
11th: Joe G. gets “up and down” from down the hill for a winning par, nett birdie. The two Joes regain the lead.
12th: Eugene hits back with a superb birdie two. All square yet again.
13th: Eugene’s fifth birdie puts him and Conor one up.
14th: Both Joes get nett birdies. Conor is bunkered. It’s level for the sixth time.
15th: Another win for Eugene with a par. One up again.
16th: Tension mounts. Eugene holds his nerve to win the hole with a par. Himself and Conor go two up for the first time.
17th: Joe G. hits the best drive and his second shot is safely on the green. Eugene overshoots the green and is buried in deep grass. He plays an absolutely magnificent chip and holes for par. Joe T. and Joe G. both miss shortish putts to win the hole and extend the game.
It’s the end of a brilliant match. Conor Campbell and Eugene Weir have won the President’s Prize by 2 and 1.
The star of the final was undoubtedly Eugene Weir who had five birdies in his round. But all four players played their part in what was a wonderful President’s Prize competition.
There is a surprise bonus for the winners. Eugene and Conor will play a challenge match against the two professional golfers attached to the club, Jason Greenaway and Chris Jelly. Details of this match will be announced soon and it is hoped that a large crowd will come out to watch it.
The full article contains 444 words and appears in Banbridge Leader newspaper.
