Thomas wins in Douglas

(Pic coutresy Douglas Pro Shop @douglasProShop)

By Niall O’Shea

Dungarvan’s Alan Thomas put two very impressive rounds together to win the Douglas Senior Scratch Cup on Sunday.  Thomas finished at 11 under, a record score at the event.  The course was in great condition and the benign conditions on Sunday set the stage for some low scoring.  There was a full timesheet for the popular event and the competition was again sponsored by Kieran Canty Financial Services.  It was a welcome return to form for Thomas, two weeks ago he failed to finish in Lee Valley and that was followed by an exit in the West of Ireland after the strokeplay stage.  His morning round of 66 was bogey free, recording three birdies on the way out and three on the way back.  Birdies on 17 & 18 helped him to a three shot lead after the first round.  Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty was the only other golfer to break 70 in the morning.  Although Thomas’ afternoon card featured two bogies, his seven birdies more than made up for it and he posted a second round 67 to leave nobody doubt as to where the title was going.

Second place went to Gary O’Flaherty who carded a second round 72 to finish on -3 and Cork’s Ian O’Flynn was third, two rounds of 71 left him on two under.  Sean Barry and Kieran McCarthy both finished on level par and Derek Byrne was the best placed Douglas golfer.  Monkstown’s Nick Moore is quickly building a name for himself.  He took the best nett prize playing off a handicap of 4.  The young golfer has now won two in a row as he also took the net prize in Lee Valley.

Attention now turns to Cork Golf Club as they host the Munster Strokeplay Championship this weekend. Holder Kieran McCarthy leads a strong field of golfers, he’s paired with former winner Pat Murray and bookies joint favourite Richard O’Donovan for the opening two round on Saturday.  Three time winner Niall Gorey makes a return to Cork for the competition.  Although he hasn’t had the best of starts to the season, his record in Cork will ensure that he’s one to watch.