Brady and Kerley too good at Portmarnock Links
Clontarf's Eamonn Brady shot a five-under-par 66 to win the nett as Ardee's Brian Kerley claimed the gross with a super 68 in the TaylorMade Tuesday Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.
An 89-strong field enjoyed benign conditions at the Bernhard Langer signature course and it proved to be a great day for former West of Ireland champion Brady.
He dropped just one shot all day and made six birdies, coming home in three-under 32 to edge out two-time former Irish PGA winner David Mortimer from Galway by three strokes.
Grange's Michael McDermott birdied three of the last four holes to take third place in the nett with a one-under 70.
In the gross, teaching professional Kerley made five birdies and two bogeys in a three-under-par 68 to edge out Newlands' Jake Whelan by a shot.
Whelan made just two bogeys all day but he will be disappointed that both game on par-fives.
Kilkenny's Mark Power, fresh from winning the U18 Boys' trophy during the Darren Clarke Foundation weekend at neighbouring Portmarnock, took third place with a solid 70.
The 17-year old, plus three Irish international had 14 fours, three threes and just one five on his card.
But he wasn't the only youngster to shine.
Siblings James and Emma Fleming from Elm Park also took advantage of the mid-term break to tee it up.
Playing off five, 12-year old Emma shot an excellent, nett 75.
TaylorMade Tuesday Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71 SSS 75 CSS 75)
Tuesday 31st October
Nett
- Eamonn Brady (Pro) Clontarf GC 66
- David Mortimer (Pro) Galway GC 69
- Michael McDermott (Pro) Grange GC 70
Gross
- Brian Kerley (Ardee GC) 68
- Jake Whelan (Newlands GC) 69
- Mark Power (Kilkenny GC) 70.