Ballinasloe's Aidan Grenham was crowned a champion on the double following the second round of the ISPS Handa Irish Open at Roganstown this afternoon.
In Sport Class Standing 3, Aidan came out on top after a close battle with Roganstown’s James McParland.
Both shot opening rounds of 76 (+5) and so were paired together on the final day, with Grenham coming out on top thanks to another score of 76 leaving him two clear of McParland.
It was a double celebration for Grenham, who’s impressive golf also saw him finish as the Gross Stroke Play Winner.
“Over the moon with it,” said Grenham after coming off 18.
“I got off to a tricky start again today but battling it down going into the back nine. Just played safe, middle of the greens, try get out of there with pars and see where it left me.”
On the battle with local McParland, the Ballinasloe golfer was pleased to take the win in what was a tight contest.
“I opened up a couple of shots lead but he (McParland) came back with three birdies in the last eight holes, so it was close in the end.”
Grenham had been confident coming into the event and his golf delivered when required.
“I was hitting it pretty well coming into the week, so I had a feeling I could post a good number and see where it left me. So, I’m delighted with the win.
In Sport Class Intellectual, Matt Middleton reigned supreme with an overall score of +30, pipping Tullamore’s Caolan Munnelly by three strokes.
A host of champions were crowned today at Roganstown at the fifth ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with Disabilities.
The two-day event, which was partially halted on Tuesday due to the threat of thunder, featured a strong field that saw over 40 golfers battle it out in testing conditions, including recent G4D Open Champion Jennifer Sräga.
In Sport Class Standing 1, it was Adam Dalton who took the title, finishing clear of Timmy Moloney (Co Tipperary). Dalton currently lives and plays out of Jersey, but was born in Galway, making his win all the sweeter as he got to enjoy it with friends and family. Speaking on The Golf Ireland Pod in the run up to the event, Dalton said this championship was the one he gets really excited for as ‘it feels like home’.
In Sport Class Standing 2, Paul O’Kelly secured victory with a five-shot win after ending the tournament on +21. In doing so, the Portmarnock golfer notched up another win this year, after his early season form saw him enjoy similar success at the ISPS Handa G4D @ The West back in April at County Sligo.
Elmgreen’s Patrick Morgan won the Sport Class Vision Impaired prize, continuing the good form he showed by winning the same category at the ISPS Handa Irish Close in County Meath at the end of May.
Having claimed the Women’s Overall Net prize at the ISPS Handa Irish Close for Golfers with Disabilities, Cathy Fitzgerald was successful again at Roganstown. The Killeen Castle golfer backed up her Net 68 in Round One with a Net 74 to finish at Net level par to claim the Net Stroke Play prize, finishing one shot clear of Adam Lockhart (Kirkistown Castle).
“Delighted, I didn’t think I’d do it today,” said the Killeen Castle golfer.
“Adam Lockhart gave me a tip on putting during the practice day, so I put the birdie down to him today.”
“It’s probably the lowest I’ve ever played to and I have to thank my playing partners as well and all of Golf Ireland for a fantastic event.”
Marty McGrath (Kilrea) secured the Net Stableford for Handicaps of 18.5+, while Thomas Mullins (Portarlington) won the Men’s Overall Net categorie with a total of 79 Stableford points and Dianne Conway (Shandon Park) was victorious in the Women’s Overall Net category.
View the final scores here
