KNEEN CLAIMS CLUB TITLE AND SKELTON MAKES IT THREE IN A ROW.

Challenging conditions coincided with the opening round of the TISE-sponsored Club Championships held at Castletown Golf Club this past weekend. The strong westerlies failed to blow back Andrew Challenor in time but Sam Skelton, the senior champion, was raring to go. Both he and ‘Chal’ had been looking to retain their titles for the third year running.

After the first round on Saturday off the black tees, Daryl Callister (shown above), at three under par, held a two-shot lead over Robbie Noon with Liam Cowin a further shot behind on level par (72).  Chris Kneen, who was one-under with one to play, then suffered a triple bogey to finish fourth on 74.

Michael Charmer eagled the 12th but three late bogeys left him in sixth place on 76. Both Connor Cain and Dan Williams carded 78 and, with Williams playing off (9), his neat nett 69 won the ‘best nett’ prize ahead of Cowin’s 72/70.

The seniors played off the white tees and Skelton stormed into an early lead. An opening birdie, followed by another on the 12th, brought him back to level par. Even with two late bogeys, Skelton found himself six clear of the field on 74.

Juan Costain and Andrew Gerrard carded 80s with Martin Young and Mark Reid finishing fourth and fifth respectively on 81. Kenny Chesterson and former senior champion Robert Braide came next on 81. Robert Quine’s 87/70 took the best nett prize two ahead of Skelton’s 74/72.

The forecasted deteriorating weather on Sunday meant only the top echelon of players for each competition were allocated start times for the final round. Going out in reverse order this increased the possibility of upsets as the earlier starters escaped the worst of the weather.

Consequently, in the senior’s event Skelton, who was just three over after 13 holes, dropped a further seven shots on the rainy run-in for a gross 82.

This placed him fourth on the day but Skelton’s aggregate 156 gained him title number three.

Reid carded 79 so was runner-up on the day and overall, with his160 total.  Past winner Andy Lagden had the consolation of posting a best of the day 77. His 161/151 also garnered the best nett aggregate prize.

The TISE Men’s Club Championship was determined on the 18th in both normal time and after an eventful play-off. At one under par, Robbie Noon virtually had one hand on the trophy with just the ‘un-four-gettable’ 18th to play.

A bogey would have won it, but, heartbreakingly, Noon’s nonplussing nine left him in third place with an aggregate total of 149 (71+78). Similarly, had Cowin parred the 18th he would have made the playoff. Unfortunately, a quivering quadruple bogey relegated him to fourth overall with 72+78 = 150.

The overnight leader at 3-under, Callister was back to level par with two to play. Even though he bogeyed the last two holes, having eclipsed both Noon and Cowin, Callister must have thought he had won with 69+77 = 146.

What Callister did not know was that Chris Kneen had confidently compiled a level par round despite two double bogeys in his super six-birdie round. With 74+72 = 146 their aggregate scores were level and a four-hole playoff from the 1st was needed.

Callister grabbed the initiative with an opening birdie. Kneen’s birdie to Callister’s bogey reversed the lead on the 3rd. Going via the 5th fairway, Callister forced an 18th hole shoot-out with a cleverly crafted par on the 4th as Kneen’s conventional route resulted in a bogey. They were all square, having both completed holes 1-4 in level par.

Callister had to reload on the 18th tee but parred with his second ball for a double bogey six. Kneen’s drive drifted over the berm to the left of the fairway but was found in the rough.

The subsequent approach shot was destined for the gully but amazingly bounced back onto the fairway. A pitch and two putts for a bogey left Kneen caressing the cup.

Matthew Bell (shown above) finished second on the day and had the lowest nett score of 75/70. Dan Williams took the overall nett aggregate prize by one stroke with 160/142.

Kyle McConnell won Thursday’s Yellow-sponsored ‘midweek’ Stableford with 40 points. Chris Reynolds was second on 36. Only six players took part in this hastily rearranged competition.

This coming Saturday we are set to enjoy the Greenkeeper’s Benefit. A collection bucket will be placed in the pro-shop for those wishing to demonstrate their appreciation during the week.

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