Laytown and Bettystown teens shine at Portmarnock
LAYTOWN and Bettystown has produced many fine players over the years and it appears to have two more in teenagers Daniel Mulligan and Alex Maguire.
A younger brother of Thomas Mulligan, the former Boys international currently at the University of Oregon, Daniel (13) edged out Leinster Boys Interprovincial Alex (17) and Holywood starlet Tom McKibbin (16) for the top nett prize in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Links.
Eight handicapper Mulligan fired a two-under 69 to win the nett by three shots from Leinster U16 Boys interprovincial Alex, who edged out McKibbin for second on countback.
Fota Island Resort professional Howard shot a one-over 72 to edge out Boys international Charlie Denvir from Elm Park for the first gross on countback.
Out in one-over par, he came home in level par by following a birdie on the 13th with a bogey at the next hole before parring home.
Plus two-handicapper Denvir turned in one over but came home in 37 shots with birdies at the 10th and 13th.
Portmarnock Links’ Declan O’Neill won the third gross prize with a 73, just 24 hours after winning the open singles with a two-under 69.
TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Links (Par 71)
Nett: 1, Daniel Mulligan (8) Laytown & Bettystown 69; 2, Alex Maguire (Scr) Laytown & Bettystown 72 (B9, 36); 3, Tom McKibbin (Scr) Holywood 73 (B9, 37).
Gross: 1, Jack Howard (Pro) Fota Island Resort 72 (B9, 35); 2, Charlie Denvir (+2) Elm Park 72 (B9, 37); 3, Declan O’Neill (+1) The Links Portmarnock 73 (B9, 36).