Brendan McCarroll made a winning return to the Northwestern Golfing Alliance when he captured the gross prize with a level par 70 at North West.

The course was nicely set up but a cold wind combined with sharp, wintry showers made scoring difficult for most of the field.

Alps Tour regular McCarroll started with seven straight pars but a lapse at the eight par-three saw his record a bogey. Worse was to follow at the par-five ninth when he carded a double bogey this left him three-over for his first nine.

Another bogey followed at the difficult par-four 12th but he got back on track with a par three at the 13th and then he really got going and he birdied four of his last five holes to record three under for the back nine leaving him level par for his round.

It was a family affair as he beat his uncle into second place although Brian was only one over after nine and in fact led his illustrious nephew until the 15th when Brendan went on his birdie blitz.

Daniel Gallagher, a former Ulster interprovincial player, beat his playing partner Seamus McMonagle, professional at Dunfanaghy Golf Club , on the break of tie for third place in the Gross.

In the Nett section local member Declan Bradley had a facile win when he carded 41 stableford points.

He had an indifferent start into the strong wind when he collected single points at the first two holes, a birdie at the par-three third set him up and he was up and running to harvest 21 points on the first nine.

He continued his good form on the inner nine to add 20 more points to his total.

In the second and third positions were the brothers MacLochlainn, Padraig and Gary. Padraig is a past captain of the Alliance and Gary the popular manager of the golf shop. Padraig’s return to form is very welcomed as he has been a stalwart supporter of the Alliance for many years.

North Western Golfing Alliance, North West GC, 4 October 2014 (Par 70 SSS 70)

Nett

1. Declan Bradley (11) North West G.C.  41 Points
2. Padraig MacLochlainn (5) North West G.C. 39 Points b.o.t.
3. Gary MacLochlainn (9) North West G.C. 36 Points b.o.t.

Gross

1. Brendan McCarroll (scr) Ballyliffin G.C. 70
2. Brian McCarroll (5) North West  G.C.          72
3. Daniel Gallagher (2) Dunfanaghy G.C. 7 4b.o.t.

Twos

Sean Bridge and for the second week running by Jim Harley.

Next outing, Nairn/Portnoo GC — 1 November 2014