Winner: Eamon McCourt.
Eamon McCourt posted a record score to win the 37th Michael Doherty Golf Tournament in Santa Ponza in Majorca, Spain.
The City of Derry member sealed the win by taking first place on the fourth day with 40 points, giving him an overall four-day tournament score of 157 points – a record tournament score – which saw him claim victory 10 points ahead of runner-up, Sean McKane, also from City of Derry.
North West’s Colm McCarroll claimed third spot, a further three points behind.
The team competition was won by Peter Harkin’s team.
Eamon’s sensational victory after 22 years on tour was highly deserved.
Over the four days on the tough Poniente and Santa Ponza courses, he scored 39, 39, 39 and 40 points exhibiting a level of course management skills that have never hitherto been seen on the 37 years of this great tournament.
Sean McKane played superbly also over the four days.
After losing out in last year’s play-off, but could not dent the six point lead Eamon McCourt had had when they teed off together in the last fourball.
Tournament Organiser Andy Meenagh expressed his delight at Eamon’s victory when he presented him with the highly coveted Travellers’ Trophy.
Individual results from day four at Santa Ponza
1st Eamon McCourt 40 pts (on break of tie)
2nd Kevin Barrett 40 pts
3rd Brian Long 37 pts (on break of tie)
4th Colm McCarroll 37 pts
Top 10 Finishers over the four days
(City of Derry unless otherwise stated)
1st Eamon McCourt (11) 157 pts
2nd Sean McKane (19) 147 pts
3rd Colm McCarroll (9), North West, 144 pts
4th Brian McClure (7), Ballynahinch, 141 pts (on break of tie)
5th Andy Meenagh (15) 141 pts
6th Kevin Barrett (18) 138 pts (on break of tie)
7th Maurice Quigg (18) 138 pts
8th Tommy McBride (4) 138 pts
9th Karl Doherty (16) 137 pts
10th Brian Long (5) 136 pts
Final team placings
1st Peter Harkin’s Team with 345 pts
2nd Brian Long’s team 344 pts
3rd Colm McCarroll’s team 338 pts
