BERNARD BAGS BROTHERLY BRAGGING RIGHTS

The white tee markers were back in play. The format was penal stroke play rather than the more forgiving stableford. It was the first of the qualifying competitions, where good scoring results in the slashing of handicaps. Placing in the rough was but a fond and distant memory. In the view of many then, the April Medal on Saturday 22 April represented the start of the ‘proper' season at County Armagh Golf Club.

Entirely unperturbed, perhaps even inspired, by the reintroduction of these more stringent circumstances was Bernard Grimley, whose majestic nett 64 sealed for him the first of this year's monthly medals.

Bernard took to the course no doubt still smarting from being pipped by his brother David to first position in category 1 in the CP McNabb Trophy on April Fools' weekend. His determination to come out on top in any familial battle this time out was absolute and, indeed, he managed to do so — but only just. With yet another brother, Kieran, matching Bernard's total but losing out on a break of tie, it appears that the Grimley clan's appetite for honours simply cannot be sated.

April Medal runner-up Kieran Grimley is pictured with Vice Captain Colm Shannon, sponsors Steven and Andrew Miller (Painters and Decorators) and category prize winners Gary McAleavey, Malachy McSorley and Don McKee.