McDermott Claims Club Sweep Victory at Ballymena Golf Club
Brian McDermott produced an excellent round of 39 points to claim victory in the latest Club Sweep at Ballymena Golf Club, edging Damian Kelly on countback
after a closely contested competition.
McDermott (29) carried his impressive midweek form into the weekend, overcoming a difficult start to his back nine to secure the overall win.
He opened his round by playing the first three holes to handicap before failing to score at the par-three fourth. However, he recovered well, collecting two points at the fifth followed by consecutive three-point holes at the sixth and seventh.
After playing the eighth to handicap, McDermott finished his front nine with a par at the ninth, earning another three points to reach the halfway stage with 19 points.
His back nine began slowly, with just four points collected across the opening four holes. However, a superb four-point par at the long par-three fourteenth sparked an impressive recovery.
A three-point bogey at the fifteenth was followed by a steady sixteenth and consecutive pars at the final two holes, giving McDermott 20 points on the back nine and a winning total of 39 points.
Kelly Narrowly Misses Out on Victory
Damian Kelly (4) also returned an excellent 39 points but had to settle for second place following the countback process.
Kelly produced an outstanding front nine, recording birdies at the first and seventh holes to reach the turn at two under par.
His back nine began with consecutive bogeys before he settled into a run of three pars from the twelfth through to the fourteenth.
Further bogeys at the fifteenth and sixteenth were followed by a par at the seventeenth and a closing birdie, completing an impressive one-over-par round of 69.
Despite his excellent gross score, Kelly's 39-point total was narrowly beaten on countback by McDermott's stronger back nine.
Conaughty Takes Third Place
Gary Conaughty (15) secured third place with 37 points after another consistent performance.
Conaughty recorded 17 points on his front nine before improving to 20 points on the back nine, securing third place ahead of the other competitors who also finished on 37 points.
Club Sweep Results
1st: Brian McDermott (29) – 39 points
2nd: Damian Kelly (4) – 39 points
3rd: Gary Conaughty (15) – 37 points
4th: David Wylie (7) – 37 points
5th: Gareth Hill (21) – 37 points
6th: Neal Courtney (20) – 36 points
7th: Dean Brown (11) – 36 points
8th: James Warwick (26) – 36 points
Barr Claims Gross Honours
Adam Barr claimed the gross prize with an excellent one-over-par round of 69, featuring birdies at the eleventh and twelfth holes.
Damian Kelly finished runner-up in the gross category, also recording a round of 69.
A total of 121 competitors took part in the competition, with just 15 twos recorded throughout the day. Neither the tenth nor the fourteenth holes yielded a two.
Looking Ahead – Andy Workman Cup
Next week sees the return of the Andy Workman Cup at Ballymena Golf Club, with the competition being played in the Stableford format.
Congratulations to Brian McDermott and all the prize winners, and thank you to everyone who took part.
