McDermott wins Edmondstown Pro-Am after birdie blitz
Michael McDermott produced a birdie barrage to win the Edmondstown Pro-Am.
The Grange professional's six under par round of 65 earned him a two-shot margin of victory over Tulfarris Golf Resort’s Simon Thornton.
Carlow’s Damien McGrane, SQ Golf’s Steven Quinlan and Headfort’s Joe Dillon finished tied for third on one under par.
The event was part of the club's 75th anniversary celebrations and 43 professionals were joined by 129 amateurs to help mark the occasion.
With a shot-gun start in operation, Michael began his round at the par five fourth with a birdie that set the tone for the rest of his round. He followed up with birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th, 15th, 16th and the first as he took a decisive grip on the event.
The 38-year-old also collected three bogeys at the 11th, 17th and ninth but the damage wasn't enough to knock him off course.
Thornton and amateur partners John Staunton, Colm O'Carroll and Jim Robertson claimed the team award with 87 points, edging out Dillon's team on the back nine.
The next event on the schedule is the PGA Irish Club Pro-Am at Dromoland Castle on May 21 followed by the PGA Irish Club Professional tournament at the same venue on May 22.
Edmondstown Pro-Am, Edmondstown Golf Club (Par 71)
65 Michael McDermott (Grange GC)
67 Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort)
70 Damien McGrane (Carlow GC), Steven Quinlan (SQ Golf), Joe Dillon (Headfort GC)
71 Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC), Colm Moriarty (Glasson Hotel & GC), Tim Rice (Limerick GC)
72 Andy Hogan (Edmondstown GC), Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC)
