Brennan wins Curran’s Captain’s Day at Mourne

Mourne Golf Club News

17.06.2024

By Paul Gallagher

On a pristine day on the Championship Links at Royal County Down it was Colm Brennan who came out on top to win Paddy Curran’s Captain’s Day at Mourne Golf Club.

There was a real buzz around the Mourne clubhouse last week as Curran and his family made final preparations on one of the highlights of the golfing year. Paddy, his wife Sarah and family, had the clubhouse looking its finest for what is not only one of the main competitions of the season but also a highlight on the social calendar.

With a packed timesheet, golfers took to the Championship Links all day, while the Mourne veterans also had the chance to shine with their dedicated competition on the Annesley Links.

Both courses have become treacherously difficult in recent weeks with the Championship Links beginning to bare some of the teeth that will undoubtedly challenge some of the world’s best players when the Amgen Irish Open rolls into town in September.

Despite the conditions, there was some great scoring on show. Brennan landed the first prize with a great score of 42 points to receive the Graham Trophy from Past Captain David Graham and a new state of the art electric Trolley, kindly put up by the Captain.

Kevin Flynn claimed second with 41 points while Matthew Davey was third with 40 points. PJ Johnson won the Veteran’s Prize with 25 points, while Lenny Murray won the Past Captain’s Prize with 36 points.

Stephen Barker won the gross prize with his one-under round of 70. Barker dropped shots at eight and nine, but his round came alive on the back nine with three birdies at 10, 12 and 16 and no dropped shots.

The men’s Visitor’s Prize was won by Howard Taylor with John Taylor second, while Rene Blair secured the Ladies’ prize on a countback from Joyce McCammon.

Other winners included Peter Murphy who took the Putting Competition with seven hole-outs, Andy Torrens won Nearest the Pin at the 10^th, while Sean O’Neill won the Longest Drive at 18.

“I had a great time celebrating Captain’s Day. My wife Sarah and I were delighted our children along with my mum and dad could join us for the evening’s entertainment. The kids worked so hard during the week transforming the club into a spectacular venue for the day, dressing the tables, chair covers, flower arrangement and putting up lights and we are so proud of them,” said Curran.

“Breaking a little from tradition, I played golf with my uncle John and cousin Howard Taylor who travelled from Kent to be with us. John and Howard are no strangers to RCD as John played much golf here while studying at Queen’s University (all those years ago). John, Howard and I enjoyed many games with my grandfather Pat over the years when they came to visit during the school holidays. I’m so grateful that granda Pat introduced me to the game of golf and the Mourne Golf Club.

“Following the deluge of rain, we had on Thursday it was great that everyone got round with no more than a few gentle showers and some even picked up a little too much sun!

“Entertainment was provided by our fellow member Paul O’Kane who created a great atmosphere in the lounge. Discobeard played their first gif at Mourne and kept the dancefloor busy all night. I was humbled to see such a strong crowd return to the club and both lounge bar and function room were busy all night.

“We had 180 playing golf on the Championship Links, 20 veterans and 22 ladies from Royal County Down Ladies Golf Club which was a fantastic turnout. There was some fantastic scoring from the prize winners, and I’d like to congratulate them all.

“My thanks to all the members for their kind wishes and messages during the week and throughout the day. So many members played a blinder in helping to prepare the clubhouse for Captain’s Day. There is a great community within Mourne and it’s such a special place to be associated with.

“Finally, I would also like to thank Royal County Down for the exclusive use of their Championship Links. As usual both courses were presented in world class condition thanks to the hard work of Eamonn and Noel Crawford and their army of staff. The members of Mourne look forward to watching the world’s best players competing in the Amgen Irish Open in September and wish Royal County Down every success.”

-ENDS