Saturday the 7th July was the date set for the Final Round of 2012 Lady Captain Edel Burke's Captains Prize and it turned out to be a fantastic day in so many ways.  The weather forecast for Saturday was one of very bad weather, windy and raining but the Gods smiled on Edel and the Ladies and provided a dry day throughout although the wind blowing from the North did pose a challenge!
A marvelous turnout of ladies honoured Edel, a very popular Lady and an excellent Lady Captain.  Over 95 golfers turned out on both days to play with a further dozen or more of beginners and juniors also getting to play.  Overall it was exceptionally well organised with virtually no hold-ups on either day.
After Round 1 when Betty Gannon was leading and Mary Gibbons and Connie White in hot pursuit there was many a conversation as to who would win and in truth it was open to a whole group of players.
At the end of the Second 18 there was a tie for the lead with Ger Lyons, Anne O'Sullivan and Patti Merrick .  This necessitated a 3 hole playoff on the 1st, 2nd and 18 Holes to determine the winner and it was Ger Lyons who triumphed and emerged as the winner of the 2012 Lady Captain's Edel Burke Prize.  Anne O'Sullivan was 2nd.  Lorna Irwin won the Gross with her 36 hole gross total of 167 and Patti Merrick was 3rd.  Maeve Nevin was 4th and Mary Gibbons was 5th.

The list of winners is as follows: 1st: Ger Lyons 2nd: Anne O'Sullivan Gross: Lorna Irwin 3rd: Patty Merrick 4th: Maeve Nevin 5th: Mary Gibbons Past Captain: Betty Gannon 6th: Susanna Kenny 7th: Nora O'Reilly 8th: Leah Kerr 9th: Mary Lawlor 10th: Christine Gordon 1st Day: Connie White 2nd Day: Kate Killalea.

Prizewinners in the 2012 Lady Captain's (Edel Burke) Prize at Castlebar Golf Club. Seated, Left to Right:  Una Ainsworth (Lady President), Patti Merrick (3rd), Edel Burke (Lady Captain), Ger Lyons (1st), Anne O'Sullivan (2nd) & Susanna Kenny (6th). Back Row, Left to Right:  Leah Kerr (8th), Nora O'Reilly (7th), Maeve Nevin (4th), Christine Gordon (10th), Mary Lawlor (9th), Betty Gannon (Past Captains), Kate Killalea (2nd Day), Lorna Irwin (Gross), Mary Gibbons (5th) and Connie White (1st Day).

  

Sunday 1st July was the day for the 1st 18 holes of 2012 Lady Captain Edel Burke's Captains Prize at Castlebar Golf Club.  The weather was forecasted to be dry in the morning with rain appearing in the afternoon and that is just the way it transpired meaning those who teed off in the early morning got around dry while those with later times had to contend with persistent heavy mist for some or all of their round.
There was a great turnout of ladies to honour Edel Burke and the atmosphere was great with the biggest competition of the Ladies calendar and everyone wanting to be the winner!
This competition is to be played over 2 rounds, with the final 18 holes to be played on Saturday 7th July and after the 1st round there are some competitors who are well in the mix while there are a lot of others who are simply too far back to win the ultimate 2012 Lady Captain's Prize.
Leading score after round 1 was a very fine 70 nett compiled by 2009 Captain Betty Gannon.  Mary Gibbons was 2nd best with her score of 71 nett.  Connie White & Patti Merrick both stand on 72 nett with Connie's score being the best Gross score of the day.  There are three ladies 1 shot further back on 73 nett, these are Ger Lyons, Christine Gordon & Cora Mulroy.  Mary Lawlor stands alone on 74 nett while Sarah Prendergast, Mary Fox & Marian Martyn have scores of 75 nett.
However the Lady Captain's is not won on one day and a lot can happen on the Final day before the final winner is determined!