Mid-West Alliance: McCormack tops at windy Athenry

The 16th at Athenry

Castletroy's Andrew McCormack got off to an incredible start before hanging on for a one-point victory in the second Eanna Jones-sponsored Mid-West Alliance outing of the season at Athenry.

The plus-two Munster interprovincial racked up a fine 38 points to edge out Glenlo Abbey's Gary Madden by a single point, holing a 70-foot putt for birdie on the first before hitting a wedge stone dead at the second to get off to the perfect start.

He eventually turned in one-under, but after following a birdie at the 10th with a bogey at the 15th, he made a birdie three at the index-one 16th and got up and down for pars on the last two holes to top the 38-strong field in a three to four-club wind that gusted to 50 kph.

Galway veteran Joe Lyons recorded 34 points, coming home in one-under par to claim the top prize in the over 45's category.

Athenry's John Whelan fired a terrific 33 points to win the category for four to nine handicappers by two points from Woodstock's Cormac Walshe, who snatched second place on a last-six countback.

Mid West Alliance, Athenry Golf Club

Category 0-3

1, Andrew McCormack +2 (Castletroy) 38 pts;

2, Gary Madden scr (Glenlo Abbey) 37.

Category 4-9

1, John Whelan 4 (Athenry) 33 pts;

2, Cormac Walshe 4 (Woodstock) 31 (back 6).

Over 45s

Joe Lyons +2 (Galway) 34 pts.

Next outing: March 2, Nenagh. Call 067 31476 to reserve tee times.