Fitzgibbon and Cafolla beat the wind at Portmarnock Links

Portmarnock’s Michael Fitzgibbon. Picture: Ronan Quinlan/Pat Cashman Photography

Portmarnock Golf Club’s Michael Fitzgibbon carded an impressive, two-under par 69 to win the gross prize in the TaylorMade Winter Series outing at neighbouring Portmarnock Links on Tuesday.

The two handicapper teenager — a Howth product who won last year’s Connacht U14 Boys championship and was joint runner-up in this year's Leinster U16s — won the top prize in that category by two strokes from Irish international Peter O’Keeffe from Douglas with Laytown and Bettystown’s Eugene Smith third with a 74 in testing conditions. 

Despite high winds, 76 players took to the links for the weekly event with Blackwood’s Philip Cafolla carding a stunning 67 off four to win the nett prize by a whopping seven strokes from Galgorm Castle professional Michael Dallat and Glasson’s Conor Glennon, who played off scratch.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, CSS 77)

Nett

1st Philip Cafolla (4) Blackwood 67

2nd Michael Dallatt (Professional) Galgorm Castle 74

3rd Conor Glennon (Scr) Glasson 74

Gross

1st Michael Fitzgibbon (2) Portmarnock GC 69

2nd Peter O’Keefe (+4) Douglas 71

3rd Eugene Smith (+2) Laytown & Bettystown 74