GLORIOUS HUNNIFORD'S STABLEFORD DELIGHT

The difficulty of getting a winning score over the line at county Armagh Golf Club is often remarked upon, and justifiably so given the course's particularly testing closing stretch. However, Adam Hunniford made a mockery of that cliché as he romped down the home straight to prevail in the Sunday Stableford on 9 July.

Having recorded eight pars and five bogeys in his opening 13 holes of the McAnenly Transport-sponsored event, Hunniford will likely have stepped onto the 14th tee hoping for a reasonably solid showing over the last five to complete a satisfactory morning's graft at the competitive chalkface.

But the nine-handicapper produced rather more than that by proceeding to complete those remaining five holes in one under par. He posted a four at Sequoias before birdieing the 15th and, in an admirable display of composure under pressure, parring the 16th, 17th and 18th for a superb gross 74 that sealed a merited maiden victory of the season.

That bountiful late points grab was decisive too, because Paul Pender also finished strongly to match the 41-point Hunniford haul but ultimately had to settle for second place on a back-nine break of tie. Pender had already turned in a string of impressive and prizewinning performances in 2017, and this was just another.

Adam Hunniford, winner of the stableford competition sponsored by McAnenly Transport Ltd, is presented with his prize by Sean McAnenly. Also pictured are County Armagh Golf Club Captain Richard Stewart and other prizewinners (L-R) Martin Carson, Paul Pender, Mark Keogh, Shea Smyth and Dermot O'Neill.