Wardlow claims Conor Mallon Memorial Trophy
26/03/2014
Gary Wardlow leapfrogged his colleagues at Ballyliffin to win the Conor Mallon Memorial Trophy in the last outing of the PING PGA Ulster Grand Prix season.
With double points on offer at the event, held on the Glashedy Links, Wardlow’s winning total of level-par 71 shot him to the top of the season’s Grand Prix Order of Merit, edging out Ballyliffin’s Damien Mooney.
Wardlow produced a solid round of golf, featuring two bogeys and two birdies to finish a shot ahead of Brian McElhinney. The winner missed the green at the par-four third and short sixth holes, failing to get up and down on both occasions to be out in two-over-36.
On the homeward run, the Queen’s University attached winner also made seven pars but birdied the 12th and 17th holes. A drive and pitching wedge to three feet set up a birdie three at 12, while at the long 17th he used two drivers and a nine iron to reach the green. He then rolled in a 25-footer for his birdie and a round of level-par 71.
That gave him victory on the day, top spot on the Grand Prix Order of Merit and the new Conor Mallon Trophy, which was presented to Wardlow by the late Conor’s father, Sean. It was fitting that the final event in the series was held at Ballyliffin where Mallon was assistant pro for some time.
Michael O’Donovan, a Castlerock one-handicapper, won the amateur’s gross prize on 74 with the nett award also going to the ‘Rock’ as Chris Loughrey (4) ousted Roy Hanna, junior, on the back nine after they both posted 33 points. Pro Noel Murray (Massereene) and amateur Matt Weir (3) won the fourball betterball team prize with 38 points.
