QUALIFYING SEASON REACHES AUTUMNAL CONCLUSION

With sporting attention turning to FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers over the next few days, the last couple of weekends heralded the end of County Armagh Golf Club's very own qualifying campaign.

In a stableford event on 24 September, Bill Knipe fired a gross 78 to earn a fabulous 43-point victory and a 15-to-13 handicap cut. Knipe reached the turn in 40 strokes for 19 points before a scintillating back nine of seven pars and two bogeys added a further 24 points to his abundant Sunday tally.

The 15th hole at County Armagh Golf Club: a thinking man's par 4.

Also clipping his handicap from 15 to 13 was Martin Grimley, who sealed the overall runner-up gong after a tremendous 41-point display that included birdies at the 13th and 15th and eight pars elsewhere.