Robbie in medal form

Jun 3 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

FAIR weather prevailed for most of the 140 players who took part in Stirling’s second Wednesday Medal of the month. However early rain, and a strengthening wind later on, pushed the CSS to 72.

Already a winner this season, Robbie Robertson produced another superb score of 65 to win this event by four shots, ahead of Ian Hamilton and Mark Pillans.

Robbie ended last season with a Handicap of 14, but just five dropped shots in this round are proof of his consistency, which hopefully he can maintain off his new Handicap of eight.

Another player showing consistent form is Chris Lawton, who again had the lowest gross score of level par 72.

Results: Class one: 69, Ian Hamilton (9), 70, Ewan Fowler (7), 71, Chris Drysdale (6), Robert Sneddon (4), Iain Macfarlane (5), Chris Lawton (1), John Philliben (7), James Marshall (7); Class two: 65, Robbie Robertson (11), 69, Mark Pillans (12), 70, Robert Dawson (10); Class three: 70, Chris Goode (15), 71, James Williamson (15), Kenny Strachan (21).

A total of 182 scores were returned in glorious weather on Saturday, the CSS remained at 71 (or 37 Stableford points). Congratulations to Ben Liddell for making the most of the perfect conditions by shooting an excellent gross 69, a round which included 6 birdies. Ben's Stableford score was 42 points, two ahead of seven players on 40 points.

By virtue of a bih of 21 points, Iain Campbell qualifies, along with Ben Liddell, for the Belhaven Best Club Handicap Championship regional finals on Friday, August 7 at Piperdam, Dundee. They will represent the Club as a team in this fourball better ball competition, with the chance to progress to the grand final at The Duke's, St Andrews in September.

Results: Class one: 42 points, Ben Liddell (3); 40 Alex Giannandrea (7), Alan Dryden (2), Steven Scott (7), Iain Macfarlane (5); Class two: 40 Iain T Campbell (13), Colin Griffin (11), Iain Wallace (11); Class three: 37 Graeme Wilson (14), Kenny Strachan (21), Scott Sutherland (25), Paul Bond (17), Harry Gardner (16).

DUNBLANE NEW

ON Sunday Grant McIntyre regained the Ballantine Medal he last won in 2006 with a 36 hole total of 139, one over par. After a morning round of 73 with 5 bogeys and a single birdie at 17, Grant was as hot as the weather in the afternoon and after a bogey at 2 birdied 6 and then had a back nine of 31 with birdies at 11, 15 and 16 for a 3 under par 66.

Craig McGann won the Scratch Class with 141 with rounds of 69/72. Second after the first round after four birdies and four bogeys, despite four more birdies in the afternoon there were 5 bogeys and a double bogey at 9.

Runner up was 2008 Club Champion David Shields on 144, 74/70. With no birdies in the morning David left himself work to do but despite four bogeys had birdies at 2, 7 and 12 in the afternoon.

Third was Craig O’Connor on 145, 76/69. A poor back nine left Craig well down after the first round but 4 birdies on the back nine in the afternoon including three in a row at 15, 16 and 17 moved him up the field.

The Junior Vice Captain, Euan Douglas, led after a first round of one under 68 which was built on a front nine of 32 with birdies at 1, 4, 7 and 9. With further birdies at 11 and 16 the round was spoiled by an ugly seven at 12. Euan fell away in the second round to finish fourth on 147, 68/79.

Craig MacLachlan (9) won the Handicap Class on 135, 66/69 with Malcolm Scott (8) second on 137, 69/68. Third place went to Colin Graham (5) on 139, 68/71 with John O’Donnell (13), continuing recent success, fourth on 141, 75/66, and a Better Second Round than John Brailsford (7), 69/72.

On Saturday there was a good turn out of 73 pairings for the John Wilson Greensomes.

Winners of the Trophy with 60 were Tony and Eileen Harrild (20). Runners up were father and son, Ian and Dermot Campbell (10.5) on 60.5 based on a back nine of 32. Third place went to Hugh MacLennan and Alan Turnbull (11.5) on 62.5 and a better last six holes than George Thomson and Brian Hunter (15.5).

On Saturday the club team of Neil Panton, Euan Douglas, Neil Rankin and Charlie Linton won the West Perthshire Trophy at Dunblane New.

Played for since 1899 between Auchterarder, Crieff, Comrie and Dunblane New the competition is played as two foursomes with the result based on total holes up between the two matches.

Next Saturday is the Monthly Medal and the Sheriffmuir Inn Trophy kindly sponsored by the Sheriffmuir Inn.

The Club Championship and Kirkland Trophy qualifying rounds will be played on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14. The conditions for entry are displayed on the noticeboards.

For those members who do not wish to participate in the club championship and the Kirkland Trophy there will be an Extra Medal on Friday, June 12.

The Reciprocal Outing this year is to Crail Golfing Society on Sunday, June 28. The entry list is now available with two rounds of golf, roll and coffee on arrival, lunch and high tea and transport there and back all for £30.

Results: John Wilson Greensomes: 1 A Harrild and Mrs E Harrild 80-20-60; 2 I Campbell and D Campbell 71-10.5-60.5; 3 G Thomson and B Hunter 78-15.5-62.5.

Handicap: 1 C MacLachalan 75-78-153, 9, 66-69-135; 2 M Scott 77-76-153, 8, 69-68-137; 3 C Graham 73-76-149, 5, 68-71-139; 4 J O’Donnell 88-79-167, 13, 75-66-141 BSR.

Ballantine Medal: Winner G McIntyre 73-66-139; SCratch: 1 C MvGann 69-72-141; 2 D Shields 74-70-144; 3 C O’Connor 76-69-145; 4 E Douglas 68-79-147.

DUNBLANE LADIES

IN the Chinese Bowl and Sheriffmuir Inn Trophy played on May 26 there was another good turnout of ladies playing last Tuesday in a mix of weather which included sunshine, rain and strong winds with the latter causing most complaints.

Wind did not affect Cecelia Kenny who returned an excellent scratch score of 74, reducing her handicap to five. Three ladies returned excellent net scores of 69 with two having their handicaps reduced.

Results: Silver: Cecelia Kenny 74-6-68, Catherine Simpson 87-18-69, Catriona Mackie 91-18-73; Bronze: Maggie Gardner 92-23-69, Janise Grant 94-25-69, Lorna Brown 94-24-70.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN

SATURDAY’S competition was the second round of the Strokeplay Shields and the excellent weather meant that once again there was a large number of competitors taking part.

The course was in excellent condition and this was reflected in the number of low scores posted throughout the day.

For the second week in a row players in the A Class dominated the low scores with Derek McGowan continuing his run of form with an excellent net 61. Colin McReath matched this score meaning he won the B Class.

Scores were A Class: 1 Derek McGowan 73-12-61, 2 Ewen Cameron 69-7-62, 3 Rocco Purves 73-10-63. B Class: 1 Colin McReath 74-13-61, 2 Andy McEwen 78-13-65, 3 Chris Whaley 80-15-65.

There was also a special moment for David Anderson on the ninth hole when he achieved a hole in one.

This Saturday is the Hall of Fame Qualifier with the 1st round of Club Championship Qualifying on June 13.

WHITEMOSS

CLUB Championship qualifier No.2 Division One: Mike Melville (10) 66; Chris Hine (13) 66; Ian Campbell (11) 72; Ken Wilkie (5) 73. Division Two: Ian Bews (16) 70; Robin Grant (19) 70; Bob Clark (17) 71; Bob Hutcheson(20) 72. Div 3-J Fairweather (21) 70; Ron Millar (22) 73; Sam West (22) 75; S Smith (24) 81.

MUTHILL LADIES

RESULTS of the Gleneagles medal: Division One: 1 Claire Milne 71-9-62. 2 Jacq Scott 94-24-70. Division Two: 1 Christine Lamb 93-27-66, 2 Diane Gannon 104-32-72.