DEEP CREEK GOLF
Deep Creek Golf Club played host to the opening round of its 2023 4-Ball Championships on Saturday with Peter Reilly and Anthony Franzi taking a commanding lead into day two.
Reilly and Franzi combined beautifully in the tricky conditions, firing an even-par round of 72 to open up a four-shot lead over two pairings that are in hot pursuit.
Dean Jones and Frankie Chiu scored a four-over par 76, the same score as the dangerous pairing of Rob Nobelius and Harry Elyasie.
The race for the championships appears to be a race in three, although the pairings of John Hutcheon/Colin Maclean 80, Glenn Rees/Grant Wilson 80, Brian Webster/Colin Crowle 81 and Royce Thompson/John McDonald 82 are all within 10 shots and will fancy their chances of making ground.
Other scores under 90 came from the parings of David Bell/Graeme Durran 84, Bob Naismith/Mark Stewart 84, Michael Anlanger/Matt Lloyd 84, Noel Bonne/John Hutcheon 85, Michael Banger/Roger Parker 85, Stuart Scott/Les Jones 86, Ross Maclean/Rod Walker 86 and Scott Irwin/Neville Taylor 86.
Reilly (7) and Franzi (13) also claimed handicap honours on the day, carding a nett 61, for a one-shot advantage over John McDonald (20) and Royce Thompson (19) with 62 nett.
Down the lines went to Stuart Scott/Les Jones 64, Brian Webster/Colin Crowle 65, David Bell/Graeme Durran 65, Ross Maclean/Rod Walker 65 and Bob Naismith/Mark Stewart 65.
Nearest the pins went to Mark Stewart (1.32m) on the second and to Rod Walker (2.50m) on the 16th.
Wednesday’s stableford competition saw some competitive scoring with John Kingman bettering his handicap to score 37 points for a three-shot A Grade victory over Pat Ellerton on 34 points.
Peter Diss matched Kingman’s score of 37 points to win B Grade by a shot from Ray McGrath on 36 points.
Down the lines went to Bill McDonald, Anthony Kemsley, Leigh Burton, Bob Naismith and Glenn Charles, all on 34 points, and to Terry Bull, Stewart MacDonald, Levi Sua and Ronald Zomer on 33 points.
The SuperComp Front 9 winner was Peter Diss, with nearest the pins going to Noel Boyd (3.5m) on the second hole and to Leigh Burton (2m) on the 16th.
The ladies stepped out for a stableford event on Thursday and it was the ever-consistent Leah Barker (24) that came out on top with a fine score of 35 points.
Barker won by a countback from Julie Cheng, with Marg Andrews next best with 33 points.
Nearest the pin went to Liz Garvey (6m) on the second hole.
The 9 Hole Comp winner was Nola Kerslake (53) with 11 points.
Summer Cup leaders after round two are as follows: Leah Barker 70, Marg Andrews 64, Liz Garvey 63, Kay Jones 62 and Julie Cheng 60.
Players enjoyed lovely conditions for Sunday’s stableford event with Craig Debono (27) making the most of the conditions, scoring 39 points to take home the winners’ cheque.
Down the lines went to Shaun Hegarty 38, Brett Nowlan and Ricky Davies 37, and to Simon Fay with 35 points.
