Duke claims Connacht Seniors by one
Nigel Duke with the trophy in 2011
Killiney's Nigel Duke won the Connacht Seniors Amateur Open for the second time since 2011 when he came from a stroke behind overnight leader Chris Hurst to win by a stroke at Claremorris.
Duke overcame testing conditions of heavy westerly showers as he made three birdies and four bogeys in a one over par 74 to win on three-over par 149 from the defending champion, Cork's Tom Cleary, who carded a best-of-the-day, level par 73.
Joint overnight leader Mark Windebank fell back to a tie for ninth with an 82.
Hurst, formerly of Castlebar and now residing in the UK, was third overall on 151, claiming the 'Fred Perry' Cup for Over 65s as Connacht Veteran Champion for 2017.
Connacht Seniors Open, Claremorris Golf Club (Par 73)
1 Nigel Duke (Killiney) 75 74 149
2 Tom Cleary (Cork) 77 73 150
3 Chris Hurst (Pedham Place, Eng) 74 77 151
4 Martin Darcy (Tullamore) 76 77 153
5 Liam Halpin (Westport) 78 76 154
6 Alan Egan (The Royal Curragh) 76 78 154
Cat 1 (55-59yrs): Mark Windebank (Portstewart) 74 82 156
Cat 2 (60-64yrs): John Mitchell (Tramore) 80 75 155
Cat 3 (65yrs+): Billy Donlon (Birr) 79 77 156
