North of Ireland Amateur Championship: The North of Ireland amateur championship has been a graveyard for many players' hopes in the past and this year's Magners-sponsored event has proven to be no exception.
Yesterday a number of big names tumbled out of the race, none bigger than the holder and Walker Cup panellist Gareth Maybin. He was dumped by his Ballyclare Club colleague Johnny Foster, who carved out a 2 and 1 win after being in control for most of the match.
Foster (25), the 1998 South of Ireland champion, got off to a flying start when holing from 10 feet for birdie on the first green. He then stormed into a three-hole lead after eight but lost the 10th and 12th where he made a double-bogey six.
The 13th hole was the turning point. Foster rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt to go two-up and never allowed his grip on the match to slip again.
"That win at the 13th was crucial," reflected Foster. "I needed to halt the slide. The birdie on the first green got me off to a hot start - just the sort of start I wanted against Gareth.
"There was nothing between us from tee to green but since I got a new Odyssey 2-Ball Belly Putter my short game has got a lot better. I'm now averaging about 29 putts per round instead of 32 or 33."
Foster clashes this morning in the semi-finals with Barrie Trainor. The Warrenpoint player handed out a 7 and 5 drubbing to Stuart Paul in yesterday's third round and then defeated Richard Kilpatrick by 5 and 3.
"This is the furthest I have ever got in a major championship but I did reach the last 16 in the Irish Close at Carlow last year. I played well and I look forward to playing Johnny tomorrow," enthused Trainor.
He rattled off winning pars at the fourth, sixth and seventh holes to go three up, won the 10th with a birdie four despite being in trouble off the tee, went five up at the 12th before under-clubbing at Calamity Corner - the only hole he lost. A conceded birdie at the 15th sent the Warrenpoint player through to the semi-finals.
The other semi-final will feature North West 20-year-old Brian McElhinney and Tramore teenager Clancy Bowe.
McElhinney took two big scalps yesterday as he first eliminated reigning West of Ireland champion Mark Ryan and then sent former "South" winner Mark Campbell packing. He controlled the action against Campbell to win by 4 and 3.
Bowe put out Barry Fitzsimons (Downpatrick), also by 4 and 3, in a teenage battle. Fitzsimons had earlier in the day defeated East of Ireland champion Michael Sinclair on the home green.
The Waterford 19-year-old played some excellent golf against Fitzsimons. He eagled the second with a five iron to 10 feet.
He was three-up after eight and birdied the long 10th. After losing the short 11th he slammed the door on Fitzsimons with another birdie from 12 feet at the 13th.
"I hit the ball very well for the last nine holes in the morning and for the 15 I played this afternoon," enthused Bowe.
THIRD ROUND: B McElhinney (North West) bt M Ryan (Grange) 3 and 2; M Campbell (Stackstown) bt A Morris (Belvoir Pk) 2 holes; B Fitzsimons (Downpatrick) bt M Sinclair (Knock) one hole; C Bowe (Tramore) bt R Leonard (Banbridge) one hole; G Maybin (Ballyclare) bt C Montgomery (Malone) 4 and 2; J Foster (Ballyclare) bt M McDermott (Stackstown) 5 and 3; B Trainor (Warrenpoint) bt S Paul (Tandragee) 7 and 5; R Kilpatrick (Banbridge) bt C Murphy (Clandeboye) 2 and 1.
QUARTER-FINALS: McElhinney bt Campbell 4 and 3; Bowe bt Fitzsimons 4 and 3; Foster bt Maybin 2 and 1; Trainor bt Kilkpatrick 5 and 3.
