Noel Owens, a nine-handicap member of Rathsallagh, won the Johnnie Walker European Amateur Classic, played over three courses on Portugal's Algarve recently. From an entry of 300, he gained the distinction of becoming the first Irish winner of the event and the lowest handicapper to do so.
In the first round at Vale do Lobo, Owens shot a nett 70; he then carded a nett 72 at Vila Sol, followed by a nett 70 at San Lorenzo. This gave him a lead of 13 strokes in his handicap category and two strokes overall and he went on to secure victory with a closing 75 (nett) at San Lorenzo, winning by two shots from Paul Kennedy of Newlands.
However, Ireland had to give way to England in the Nations Cup. The holders of the trophy for the past four years were edged out by five shots by a strong English side.
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