Thornton Wins Ardglass Team Event

It was wet and windy at Ardglass with conditions so difficult that consideration was given to calling off the arranged outing of the PING Ulster Golfers' Alliance members but, eventually, it was decided to stage the event.

No-one was more pleased with the green light than Peter Martin who carded a splendid two-under-par 68, in the difficult conditions, to top the leaderboard and climb the winner's rostrum.

The Riverside Academy head pro didn't start well as he pencilled in bogey fours at the second hole, where he was blown 40 yards off target, and the 219-yards seventh where, despite using a driver off the tee, he was 20 yards short and didn't get up and down.

That, however, was the end of Martin's woes as he wedged to two feet for birdie three at the eighth to turn in 35 blows and then strode over the back nine in three-under-33 for his winning 68.

A drive, five iron, chip and putt carved out birdie four at the 11th hole; he wedged to five feet for birdie three at 17 and drove the 18th green for another birdie three.

Scrabo 12-handicapper Colin Morrison returned 40 points to take the amateur's top nett award with local member Michael Nugent (17) beating Alan Patterson (14, Edenmore) for second place on the back nine, 19 points to 18. Ulster interpro David Kernohan (+3, Galgorm Castle) returned a 75 to win the gross prize.

The team event was won by Simon Thornton and his amateur partners on 86 points which they shared with local pro Philip Farrell's team but the winners collected 44 home to 43 for Farrell and partners.

www.ardglassgolfclub.com

News and Events - Gracehill

1st Hole Gracehill Golf Club

Running Seniors Opens over the season on the first and last Tuesday of the month starting in April-August green fee will be £12-£15.

There is a ladies and gents open stableford on Monday 25th April for £15.00 for Visitors with tee times available online/pro shop/clubhouse on 31st March.

www.gracehillgolfclub.co.uk

Green Fees - Castletroy

Castletroy Golf Club

Individual Green Fee Rates October 2010 - March 2011

Monday to Thursday - €30.00

Friday to Sunday - €30.00

Bank Holidays - €30.00

Student (under 24) - €15.00

Societies/Groups - €25.00

Individual Green Fee Rates April 2011 - September 2011

Monday to Thursday - €40.00

Friday to Sunday - €50.00

Bank Holidays - €50.00

Student (under 24) - €20.00

Societies/Groups -€30.00

Additional Information - Hire Rates (per round)

Golf Buggy - €30.00

Battery operated Golf Cart - €10.00

Pull Trolley - €3.00

Set of Golf Clubs - €15.00

www.castletroygolfclub.ie

Did You Know - Golfers Elbow

Most people know all about the great things golf does for a person, like exercise and stress relief. But the dark side of golf is often something that people choose to be rather selective about and choose to ignore. This dark side can include a lot of aspects that can cause a normal person to be driven quite insane by the game, leading to some serious conclusions about the game of golf that need to be aptly considered.

One of the cons of golf is the possible medical problems that can result from playing the game intensely. Those who play the game of golf incorrectly may injure their arms. Golfer's elbow is a common condition found among avid golfers. Similar to tennis elbow, golfer's elbow is characterized by a pain in the elbow, particularly in the medial area of the joint. The pain can be present at rest, but is intensified when the flexor muscles are activated. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the tendon that attaches the flexor muscles to the elbow. The flexor muscles are the muscles in the forearm that cause the fingers and thumb to bend. Golfer's elbow is particularly painful when the fist is clenched.

Golf is one of the most expensive sports out there to play. Many a person has been driven straight to the welfare line because of their lucrative golf habit. The golfer needs to have the right equipment, green fees, and other aspects of the game in their back pocket in order to not be laughed off the course. The right clothing is important, as are golf lessons and the cart rental unless you intend to slum it and walk the course. Don't forget the food you will eat, the air you will breathe, and the water you will drink as you are out on the course. All of these aspects add up to one fundamental truth about the game of golf: it's expensive!

Golf is not an easy sport to teach a child. In order to teach your son or daughter to golf, you will need to invest considerable amounts of money, time, and energy just to get your child on the golf course! You have to pay the greens fee, buy or rent the equipment, and pay for lessons, all before your little golfer decides whether or not he likes the game. And, in order to be exceptionally good at golf, potential pros really should start as children. Unlike other sports like basketball and football, a group of kids cannot start a pick up game of golf in the back yard. If a kid is going to learn to play golf, it will take a level of commitment and dedication that most kids are not ready for.

With these cons aside, golf is with us to stay. Too many large corporate decisions happen on the golf course. The followers of pros like Tiger Woods will continue to fuel the fire of the PGA and other golfing groups. So, like it or not, golf will be with us for a long, long time. 

By: Jack Piersol