Galgorm Ladies land George Best as Pat Jennings takes celebrity prize
Friday, August 28th, 2009
Goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings takes time out to sign an autograph during last week's George Best Golf Invitational at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena.
For the second year running one of the Galgorm Ladies teams got the better of their male counterparts to win the prestigious 2009 George Best Golf Invitational, sponsored by Ballymena Council, at Galgorm Castle Golf Club where goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings landed the celebrity prize.
Scoring on the day was hotly contested as just one point separated the top three teams, but it was the Galgorm Ladies 1 team, with Bundoran’s Chris McVitty as their PGA Pro, who won with a fine team total of 87 points.
There was little to choose between the runners-up and third place but the second celebrity team comprising; Pat Jennings, former Northern Ireland international Steven Penny, BBC commentator Joel Taggert and pro Connor Mallon, edged into second with 86 points and a better back nine.
The Dunlop Refrigeration team of Mark Dunlop, Brendan Killough, Neil McVeigh and pro Peter Martin came third, also with 86 points.
Aside from the primary team competition played in a pro-am style format there were also individual competitions for both the PGA pros and amateurs. There was some great scoring among the pros but McVitty finished top of the pile with 40 points.
Former Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton made the long trip from Tipperary to get to Ballymena in time to support the event and put in a decent performance. After the round Walton praised the condition of the venue, especially since it was battling against the elements in the lead up to the event.
“They are the best surfaces I have putted on all year,” said Walton, who holed the winning putt for Europe in the 1995 Ryder Cup. The Dubliner competes mainly on the Irish PGA circuit these days but has one eye on the seniors' circuit when he turns 50 in a couple of years.
There was also good scoring among the celebrities and Dennis Taylor came close only to be denied by Jennings, who won the celebrity prize with 37 points.
The individual amateur prize focused the mind for all competitors as the winner was afforded the chance to compete in the European Tour’s Portugal Masters Pro-am at the Victoria Course, Vilamoura in October.
Yet again the result was decided on a count back after Penney and Mark Dunlop both shot 39 points, but Penney had the better back nine and can now look forward to a great golfing trip to the Algarve in October.
Up to 500 spectators descended on Galgorm for the chance to see some of their sporting heroes in action. Another of the day’s highlights was undoubtedly the Trick-Shot Show put on by Jeremy Dale. The former PGA pro has amazed spectators with his shows in over 30 countries and this was a rare chance to see him live in Northern Ireland.
Former PGA Pro Jeremy Dale performing his amazing Trick-Shot Show.
George Best Golf Invitational 2009 Results
Team:
1st Galgorm Ladies (87 points)
(Dorothy Lattimore, Jenny Carroll, Patricia Agnew, PGA Pro Chris McVitty)
2nd Celebrity Team 2 (86 points - better back nine)
(Pat Jennings, Steven Penney, Joel Taggert, PGA pro Connor Mallon)
3rd Dunlop Refrigeration (86 points)
(Mark Dunlop, Brendan Killough, Neil McVeigh, PGA pro Peter Martin)
Individual:
1st Steven Penney (39 points - better back nine)
(Entry to the European Tour's Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Course, Vilamoura and two season tickets to the event all week. Complimentary golf at the Oceanico Faldo and O'Connor courses).
2nd Mark Dunlop (39 points)
(Top of the range Daly Golf Tour bag)
3rd Caroline Speers (36 points)
(Daly Golf Putter)
PGA Pro Prizes:
Chris McVitty (Bundoran) (40 points)
Celebrity Prize:
Pat Jennings (37 points)
Closest to the Pin (7th):
Paul Christie
Longest Drive (18th):
Jenny Carroll