Hurley and Higgins claim spoils in 80 kmph gusts at rainy Portmarnock Links

Roscommon'sThomas Higgins in action at last year’s Boys (Under 16) Interprovincial Championship matches at Athlone. Picture by Pat Cashman

West Waterford’s Gary Hurley and Roscommon’s Thomas Higgins overcame winds gusting up to 80 kph to win the top prizes in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Just 33 players took to the links but Hurley carded a three-over 74 to win the gross as scratch player Higgins shot 75 to claim the nett.

Gary Hurley

A former Walker Cup player, Hurley followed back-to-back bogeys at the first two holes with a birdie at the par-five fourth, then bogeyed the seventh and birdied the ninth to turn in one-over.

He then came home in two-over-par, starting the back nine with three bogeys in a row to slip to four-over.

While he birdied the 13th and 14th, he dropped a shot at the tough, par-three 17th to card the best round of the day in the worst of the conditions.

Roscommon star Higgins also had a great round, going out in three-over-par as he mixed birdies at the par-five fourth and sixth with bogeys on the second, third and seventh and a double bogey on the eighth.

Despite that hiccup, he came home in one-over, sandwiching another birdie four at the 13th between bogeys at the 11th and 15th.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, CSS 78)

10th March

Nett: Gary Hurley (Pro)  West Waterford Golf Club 74

Gross: Thomas Higgins (Scr) Roscommon Golf Club 75  

Next outing: March 17 (St. Patricks Day). To book, call 01 866 6592.