Championship action at Dunblane

Jun 17 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A BUSY week at the Dunblane New Club culminated in the qualifying rounds for the club championship and Kirkland Trophy (handicap championship) on Saturday and Sunday with play just managing to be completed on Sunday before the worst of the torrential rain.

The 2008 club champion, David Shields, was the leading qualifier for this year’s championship with rounds of 73/70 for 143. Losing finalist last year and a previous champion, Grant McIntyre, was second with two rounds of 72 for 144.

The other qualifiers for the knock out stages were Mark Carnegie, John Barr, Craig O’Connor, Chris Gater, Ian MacDonald, Gordon Whitelaw, Norman Gater, Craig Anderson, Neil Rankin, Harry Barton, Euan Douglas, Vinny O’Holloran, Anthony Harrild and Lewis Cassie all within the qualifying score of 155.

The leading qualifier in the Kirkland Trophy was Joe Patton (9) on 139, 72/67 with last year’s losing finalist Stewart Weir (14) second on 139, 66/73 just edging out John McClymont (18).

Other qualifiers were Cameron Buist (9), David Orr (8), Paul Anderson(9), Willie Turner (14), Wallace Clarke (12), Craig MacLachlan (8), James McIntosh (14), Bill McGahan (14), James Mungavin (8), Kevin McArthur (15), Stewart Neville (12), Peter McSorley (9), and Andy Thomson (13) with scores of 143 and the better second round.

The Dewar Trophy presented to the best net score over the two qualifying rounds went to Ian MacDonald (7) on 136 with rounds of 70/66. Ian also won the First Class over the two rounds.

Runner up was Neil Rankin (7) on 138, 71/67, with Joe Patton (9) third on 139, 71/67 and a better second round than Anthony Harrild (8) 71/68.

The Second Class was won by Cliff Gordon (11) on 137, 63/74 with Stewart Weir (14) second on 139, 66/73. Third was Alan Ross (15) on 140, 71/69 and a better second round than Willie Turner (15) 66/74.

Only 14 players completed both rounds in the Third Class with John McClymont (18) winning on 139, 66/73 and George Thomson (17) second on 144, 70/74.

To enable players who did not wish to play in the qualifying rounds over the weekend an Extra Medal was run on Friday with 66 entries.

The Scratch honours went to greenkeeper Christy McKenzie with 72 and a Better Inward Half than Mark Carnegie.

Peter McSorley (9) won the First Class on 68 and A bih than George Christie (13).

The Second Class was won by Jimmy Crockett (16) on 67 with Jim Griffiths (21) second on 68 and a bih than Tudor Evans (16).

On Wednesday the Ochlochy Quaich, a competition restricted to five clubs, was played.

Winner of the First Class with his first success since joining the Club was Joe Patton (8) on 69 and a bih than Jack Aitken (11). Third was Peter McSorley (9) on 70.

The Second Class was won by Donny McDiarmid (26) on 66 with Vick Knox (16) second on 69. Third and making a surprise appearance among the winners was David Brown (28) on 72 with Charles Hislop (16) fourth on 73.

The Ochlochy Quaich winner will be decided after the Ladies have played their competition later in the season.

There is no competition on Saturday as the finals of all the club championships will be played. A chance for members to watch their fellow members show how the game should be played.

On Sunday the Graham Hood Memorial Trophy for the juniors will be played and there are still tee times for additional juniors.

Members are reminded there are now only a few places left for the reciprocal outing to Crail on Sunday 28th June. 36 holes, coffee and roll on arrival, lunch and high tea with transport there and back for £30.

Results: Ochlochy Quaich: First class: J Patton 77-9-69 bih; 2 J Aitken 80-11-69; 3 P D McSorley 79-9-70; Second class: 1 D McDiarmid 92-26-66; 2 V Knox 85-16-69; 3 D L Brown 100-28-72; 4 C Hislop 89-16-73

The Ochlochy quaich winner will be decided once the ladies have played their competition later in the season

Extra medal: Scratch: C McKenzie

72 bih; First class: 1 P D McSorley 77-9-68 bih; 2 G H Christie 81-13-68; Second Class: 1J S Crockett 83-16-67, 2 J Griffiths 89-21-68 bih; 3 T W Evans 84,16.

Club championship qualifying/Kirkland Trophy Qualifying/Dewar Trophy: Scratch: D Shields 73-70-143; 2 G McIntyre 72-72-144; First Class: I MacDonald gross 77-73-150, h/c 7, net 70-66-136; 2 N Rankin 78-74-152, 7, 71-67-138; 3 J Patton 81-76-157, 9, 72-67-139 bsr; 4 A Harrild 79-76-155, 8, 71-68-139 bsr; Second Class: 1 C Gordon 74-85-159, 11, 63-74-137; 2 S Weir 80-87-167, 14, 66-73-139; 3 A Ross 86-84-170, 15, 71-69-140 bsr; 4 W Turner 81-89-175, 15, 66-74-140 bsr; Third class: 1 J McClymont 89-91-175, 18, 66-73-139; 2 G Thomson 87-91-178, 17, 70-74-144.

Dewar Trophy: I MacDonald.

DUNBLANE NEW LADIES

IN the Craig Cup and Hastie Trophy second round and medal, over 70 ladies played on Tuesday, June 9 and enjoyed glorious weather, apart from a few 5pm players who were drenched as they finished. Judy Shields and Tracy Erskine both had the best scratch score of 81 with Judy winning after a countback.

Results: Silver: Shirley Erskine 90-19-71, Jill Montgomery 89-18-71, Judy Shields 81-10-71; Bronze: Elise MacRae 93-24-69, Norma Donald 99-29-70, Gerry Goddard 99-28-71.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN GENTS

SATURDAY was the first round of qualifying for the club championship and Oliphant Trophy. As expected there was an excellent turnout with over 80 players taking part throughout the day. The course was fast and firm after all the good weather, but this didn't stop some excellent scores being returned.

Best of the day went to one of the early starters, Willie Whitfield whose scratch 67 gives him a four shot lead over Trevor Kelly going into the second round on Saturday.

Scores were Scratch; 1 W Whitfield-67, 2 T Kelly 71, 3 G Bowman 72. A Class: 1 W Whitfield 67-6-61, 2 A Sinclair 73-10-63, 3 I Mailer 73-10-63. B Class: 1 D Rennie Jnr 80-18-62, 2 D Gardner 87-22-65, 3 D Anderson 82-17-65.

Saturday is the second round of qualifying before the knockout rounds start on Monday, June 22. Finals day is Saturday, June 27 when there will be a quiz and disco following the end of the matches. All members and guests welcome.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN LADIES

IN the Ladies Open Greensomes was held on Sunday, June 7. Good weather and a full starting sheet combined for a lovely day. Ladies came from as far away as Ayr Seafield and Dalmally.

Scratch prize winners were Fiona Ramsay(Crieff) and Lucy McNulty(Dalmally) with a gross 73.

Winners of the Gardner Trophy and Handicap prize were Annette Scott and Michele Frost (both Bridge of Allan) with a score of 65. Second and third pairings were Hilary Duggua/Marion Gray (65.6) and Carole MacKay/Mary Watson (67.2) all from Bridge of Allan.

The Ladies Section are most grateful for the continued sponsorship by Gardner Plant.

MUTHILL LADIES

IN the June Spoon played on June 12, results: Division One, winner - Claire Milne 75-8-67, 2 Lynn Cameron 86-14-72; Division Two: 1 Mary Arbuckle 104-31-73; 2 Hazel Lees 105-31-74.

STIRLING JUNIORS

QUARTER final ties in the Stirling Junior Club championship will be played from 12.45pm this Sunday.

Draw: Josh Cleland v Jack Matthewson, Fraser Davidson v Ben Cleland, Cameron Sneddon v Blair Carnegie, Neil McGregor v Calum Worsley.

The semi-finals are on Thursday, June 25, from 6pm with the final on Saturday, June 27, at 12.30pm.