Brian Casey and Stuart Grehan claimed the top prizes in the opening Killeen Castle Nicklaus Series outing of the winter at the Co Meath venue.

In a reversal of last Tuesday's TaylorMade Winter Series result at Portmarnock Links, Casey shot a five-under 67 to win the gross as the Tullamore man took the best nett with a score of 68. 

Play was delayed due to frost with the field of single figure amateurs and professional golfers teeing off from the signature par-five 12th hole.

The leading pair, who partnered each other in a tight battle throughout, both turned in five-under par.

Grehan then bogeyed his tenth (the 3rd) before adding a birdie on the par-five seventh (his 14th) and a bogey on the tough par-four 10th (his 17th) to come home in one over par for his 68.

Casey made no such mistakes however with a solid par-home finish around his back 9 to finish with an impressive 67.

Black Bush's Rick Weldon had three eagles — at the second, seventh and 12th) to win the second gross with a 68 while one-handicapper Cormac Ryan from Killeen Castle took the second nett with 71 (72 gross).

Old Conna professional Donal Gleeson won the third gross with a 71 as Portmarnock's Shane McGlynn won the third nett with a 71 off scratch

The next Nicklaus Series event at Killeen Castle takes place on Friday, November 16th.

Open to GUI Members, PGA Members and non-affiliated professional golfers. Max handicap for amateurs 9.4. €200 prize is in the form of GUI credit if won by amateurs. Competition subject to minimum entries (12) for each event. 20-30 players: 1st, 2nd, Gross & Nett. 30+ Players: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Gross & Nett. Series winners will be leading scorer in both Gross & Nett categories based on their best 3 scores from the series. Student rate: €40 including lunch. Tel: 01 6893000

Killeen Castle Nicklaus Series, Killeen Castle (Par 72, SSS 72 CSS 73)

Gross

1, Brian Casey (Pro) Headfort 67 (41 Pts)

2, Rick Weldon (Pro) Black Bush 68 (40pts)

3, Donal Gleeson (Pro) Old Conna 71 (37pts)

Nett

1, Stuart Grehan (Pro) Tullamore 68 (40pts)

2, Cormac Ryan (1) Killeen Castle 71 (37pts)

3, Shane McGlynn (Scr) Portmarnock 71 (37pts)

Next Event: Friday 16th Nov, 2018