John Fenlon is the new overall leader in the KHG Funds Senior Open after the second round at Rowany Golf Club on August 7. This year’s tournament is extremely close going into the final round at Ramsey next month with fifteen players in contention for the overall winner’s prize. In the race for the overall ladies winner Mrs Gwen Tuck is the new current leader, but she only has a one point advantage and is closely followed by three other players. 

The second round at Rowany was played in bright sunshine and the golfers arrived to enjoy the warm hospitality of KHG and the principal tournament sponsors MBL Financial, starting with bacon rolls and coffee in the clubhouse. The players found the course in excellent condition and with the warm weather it made for a perfect day for a round of golf. Some of the players may have ended the day a little sunburnt but this didn’t deter the golfers as they obviously enjoyed the conditions with average scores of 33 points, which prompted many positive comments from competitors. Mark Riggall said: “The hospitality, the friendliness and perfect conditions all made for an excellent and enjoyable day.”
 
The second round winners and runners-up (with scores in brackets) were:
 
Super Senior winner – Jim Cringle (42)
Super Senior runner-up – Calvin Quayle (39)
Senior winner – Mike Horsthuis (43)
Senior runner-up – Philip Hayes (41)
Nearest the Pin winner – Rod Jones

The Island’s premier seniors’ event comprises three rounds – the first was a Douglas in July and the final round takes place at Ramsey on the September 4. His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood has kindly agreed to attend the final round which will be followed by a prize presentation and buffet meal.

Following the success of the beat the pro competition in the first round, when the players raised ?700 for the tournament’s nominated charity Hospice Isle of Man, the 13th hole at Rowany was the setting for the players to attempt to raise further funds for the charity. As Rowany doesn't have a professional player at the club, Creechurch Capital Limited, KHG Funds investment manager, stepped forward to provide its own ‘pro’ player from its ranks. Paul Gregson, Head of Business Development, stepped forward to take the shot and for every player whose shot beat Paul's effort, Creechurch donated ?100 to Hospice. On the day this raised ?200 for Hospice taking the running total for the tournament to ?900. Mary Doyle, PR and Marketing Manager for Hospice Isle of Man, thanked KHG Funds and MBL Financial and all those taking part in the tournament for their continuing support and efforts to raise funds for the charity.

MBL Financial – the principal sponsor of Senior Open – is one of the Island’s longest established Independent Financial Advisers and is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. To see the full Senior Open Leaderboard go to www.mbl.co.im

Photo -  Paul Gregson, Head of Business Development at Creechurch Capital, taking the ‘beat the pro’ shot.