SUB-PAR SHEA SEALS STABLEFORD SUCCESS

County Armagh Golf Club's 2017 Golfer of the Year is in rude health once again as we near the conclusion of the current campaign. Shea Smyth's two-under-par round on 23 September meant he collected first prize in a Sunday Stableford competition.

Shea dispensed with the 6th and 7th holes using just four strokes, as he followed up a spectacular eagle two on Crossways by mining a birdie from the Quarry. Another birdie out at the 12th and 13 pars elsewhere brought Smyth to a majestic gross 68, and the accruing 40 points kept him one ahead of the day's overall runner-up, Mark Frazer.

In recording 39 points, six-handicapper Mark recaptured something like the form that saw him to Gaffney Open glory in August. His classy 74-shot outing, although finishing with a sad six, also featured the happier times of 13 pars and a superb birdie at the Lakes.