Newtownstewart's Eugene Corry won the prestigious St Patrick's Links Plate on the Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna on Saturday, bringing down the curtain on 2014 for the Northwestern Golfing Alliance.

Conditions were so benign that almost all of the sixty odd competitors had more than 30 points  each with Corry's 40 points off a handicap of 10 giving him the St  Patrick's Links Plate with two points to spare.

When the Links was sold, the St. Patricks Plate was presented so that the course, which was the last one designed by legendary golf architect Eddie Hackett, would not be forgotten.

Jack Nicklaus presented the trophy to the Alliance on behalf of the Walsh family for a perpetual competition, as they were the last organised group to play over the St Patricks Links.

Eugene had a modest return of 16 points on the front nine but then blew the opposition away by shooting one under par for his back nine, carding eight pars and a birdie on the 15th.  

In the gross, former British Amateur champion Brian McElhinney made his first appearance of the year following injury and claimed the top prize with a three under 68 to Eddie McCormack's 70.

Former Rosapenna member John G. McBride, now playing out of Portsalon GC, was third after a steady 73 that saw him par the last 11 holes.

Alliance Secretary, Barry Ramsay, writes: 

It was great to see Eamonn Davis continuing to recover his good health. Having finished fourth in Ballyliffin,  this time the putter did not work as well but he is again in the prizewinners having secured a two.

In the Golfer of the Season nett section, the leading positions see little change from the last competition with the Mc Gettigan brothers from Strabane GC continuing to lead the way and the only movers were Brian McCarroll from North West GC. moving up to third closely followed by Eddie Mc Hugh (Strabane) and Padraig MacLochlain (North West).

In the gross section, Finnian O’Doherty (Letterkenny), has consolidated his leading place on 28 with Noel Callan (Faughan Valley) second on 22 while Seamus McMonagle (Dunfanaghy) and John G McBride (Portsalon). are both on 20. This is the most keenly fought gross section for many years.

The Alliance captain, Brian Wallace (Dunfanaghy) wishes all members of the Alliance and all members of the golf clubs on which the Alliance plays, a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

North Western Golfing Alliance,  Rosapenna  (Old Tom Morris, Par 71, SSS 70)

Nett

1. Eugene Corry (10) Newtownstewart 40 Pts
2. Eddie McHugh (16) Strabane 38 Pts
3. Brian McCarroll (5) North West. 37 Pts
4. Gregory McGlinchey (16) Faughan Valley 36 Pts b.o.t.
5. Paul Mac Lochlainn (10) Ballyliffin 36 Pts b.o.t

Gross

1. Brian McElhinney (+2) Foyle Golf Academy  68
2. Eddie McCormack (+2) Galway G.C.  70
3. John G .McBride (scr) Portsalon G.C. 73
4. Seamus Mc Monagle (scr) Dunfanaghy G.C. 75 b.o.t
5. Keith Lapsley (5)Dunfanaghy G.C.  77 b.o.t.

Twos —  Eamonn Davis, C Duffy, J Hanna, J Patton

Next outing: Portsalon, 7 February 2015.