LEST IS BEST IN HILLVIEW LODGE OPEN

Just shy of 200 hopefuls took to County Armagh Golf Club's fairways on 26 May, as the packed field made the most of this continued spell of sublime weather.

In the Open Stroke tournament sponsored by Hillview Lodge Driving Range, eventual champion Christopher Lester signalled his winning intentions right from the off with a birdie at the opening hole. Pars at the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th then ameliorated most of the damage caused by unwelcome treble bogeys at the 2nd and 8th.

So, Lester reached the turn in a handicap-equalling 41 shots but it was thereafter that he really made his bolt for glory, as another birdie at the 10th kick-started a wonderful two-over-par back nine display. The now 13-handicapper's 4, 5, 4 concluding sequence was deserving of particular credit, and the resultant nett 65 ensured that Christopher could add this Open title to the various honours that he claimed in his prolific 2017, most notably the Bumblebee Cup.

County Armagh Golf Club Captain, Colm Shannon, and Gary Baird from Hillview Lodge Driving Range, sponsor of the Open Stroke competition, are pictured with prizewinners (L-R): Oliver Connell, Anthony Conlon, Leo King, Stephen Catterall and Adam Cromwell.

The overall runner-up plaudits were taken by Leo King, who also posted a terrific nett 65 but was denied first prize on a countback. This was a truly regal performance from King nevertheless. His four-over-par knock was an accomplished affair made up of a birdie, five bogeys and a dozen pars, including six on the bounce at the beginning of the back nine.