2020 Ray Keane 4BBB Quarter Final Preview

Posted on: 22 July

2020 Ray Keane 4BBB Quarter-Final Preview

Power Rankings:

DRAW:

MATCH 1:

11:56am Saturday 25 July 2020

Leigh Coundon/ Craig White

Stunning form from Craig White who contributed 13 times to their qualifying score of 47 pts, how good it is to see him on the golf course post the first wave of COVID-19.
Currently playing off 4, some would say the handicap system has been good to Craig up till now, however, after last week’s performance this is bound to change.
Leigh Coundon was a team player in qualifying but it’s his turn to fire up in the quarter finals, Craig’s shoulders will need a rest this week.
Leigh has the handicap and if this team is to win, he needs to get the three pointers on to the card.
Could no Barnbougle trip be a blessing in disguise for this pair to go all the way?

Neil Overall/ Arthur Delavay

At eighth seed these two just squeezed in, they’re two players with good handicaps and plenty of experience around GGC. It will be important for them to capitalise where shots are received.
This pair plays at least twice a week so it’s important for them to leave their best golf for the weekend.
In this quarter-final they will be out of their comfort zone having to play at midday, the pair are used to the frosty cold mornings and tend to thrive in these conditions…like in qualifying.
I suspect both will be praying for a chilly northerly and soft conditions under foot.

MATCH 2:

10:28 Thursday 23 July 2020

(4) David Callander/ Mark Fedoruk vs. (5) Brendan Larkins/Colin Leech

David Callander/ Mark Fedoruk

At number four seed this pair is one to watch, the two have spent hours on the golf course together and their knowledge of sledges is invaluable.
The absence of Darren Bell and Jason Ross may have been the perfect ingredient judging by their qualifying score of 40pts.
These two thrive in morning conditions alongside loud chit chatter and banter and it’s hard to say how well the Thursday crowd will receive this playing style.
However, Mr X is known for throwing around some banter himself so this game of words could be the deciding factor.

Brendan Larkins/Colin Leech

A solid back nine of 21 points brought this team into fifth seed, from what I hear it was mostly Larkins with a side of Leech.
Regardless this team has long hitters and generous handicaps so a few more three pointers from Mr. X is going to be crucial to the win.
They’ve been moved to a Thursday timeslot so the two of them will be familiar with the conditions.
If Dave and Mark get intimidated by Larkins’ long ball and putting finesse, then it’s game over.

MATCH 3:

11:48am Saturday 25 July 2020

Jarrod Byham/ Mark Conroy

These two are regular playing partners who know their games well, they don’t have as many shots as their opponent, but their comradery is pure.
Mark is known for sneaking out during the week for a casual hit so it will be interesting to see what preparation he puts into this quarter-final match.
At number two seed you can’t look past their form of 43 points in qualifying which was evenly dispersed on the card.
Conroy’s four-point birdie on the 16th was a highlight but there will need to be an abundance of four pointers for them to go all the way to gold letter status.

Rod Guy/Robert Allen

It’s hard to look past Rod and Rob, two solid and sneaky long players equipped with shots.
Their qualifying score of 40 points was nothing special but these two will be saving their A game for final’s time.
If they are to win then making the most of shot holes is going to be critical. With no four pointers in qualifying the pair will want to change that come Saturday.
The match consists mostly of morning players (according to qualifying) so it’s difficult to say whether the scales tip towards either pair. This will be a game to watch.

MATCH 4:

11:40am Saturday 25 July 2020

John Orwin/Dominic Hogan

Where do you start with these two…last years ‘stamp saga’ left them licking their wounds after being denied entry into the event. This year their names were definitely stamped and they’ve delivered once again.
Their qualifying score of 43 points was held together by the ever-steady ‘Johnny Windows’, however, the pair finished poorly with 17 points around the back.
Mr Hogan was there abouts in qualifying, but more will be required from him if the pair are to go all the way. For Hogan, a solid performance in this years Ray Keane may just be what he needs to clinch the North West Pennant captaincy from Matt Berry.
Arguably both players hit the ball better than their handicap but whoever utilises their flat stick will find themselves winning holes.

Richard and James McKibbon

A formidable father-son opponent stands in the way of Hogan and Orwin, these two cannot be overshadowed.
Healthy handicaps between the two mean scoring isn’t an issue around GGC.
Their 40 points in qualifying saw Richard dominate the back nine scoring 16 out of 20 points himself. At sixth seed the pair have themselves with a reasonable run at the top prize.
James gets a few more shots than his father (at the moment) and will be out to even things up when the quarter finals commence ensuring that the McKibbon name is engraved into GGC history.