Kevin claims a sixth championship crown

Jul 1 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A TREMENDOUS Stirling finals day began on Saturday at 9.30am with the first round of the gents’ club championship be-tween Chris Lawton and Kevin Brunton.

Both players were under par on the front 9, each winning two holes to make the score all square at the turn. The back nine belonged to Chris, as his putting earned him five holes to Kevin’s one.

The lead was reduced to three holes at the start of the second round, when Chris found the thick rough off the tee. He increased his lead again at the 3rd and 4th to go five up, only to see Kevin win the next two with pars.

A bad start to the back nine for Chris meant that Kevin won 10 and 11 with pars and a bogey for Chris at 13 brought it back to all square. Kevin’s excellent par golf saw him go one up at the 15th but after the 17th the players were level again. On the final hole the difference came down to the chip shots on to the green, with Kevin going close and making his par while Chris came up short. Kevin Brunton won one up and lifted the championship trophy for the sixth time.

In the seniors championship final Robert Sneddon beat Alex Hogg 4 and 2, playing good golf all the way round and never really giving Alex an opportunity to close the gap. Robert was 3 up after the front 9 and maintained the lead to the end.

The gents’ handicap championship final saw Chris Forsyth (5) beat Pat Mooney (8). The lead changed hands several times on the front 9, which ended all square. Chris edged ahead at the 10th and was one up at the 13th. Pat reversed that position by the 15th, only to see Chris do the same and regain the lead by 1 at the 17th. Pat’s approach shot at 18 found the bunker behind the green, which put paid to his hopes of catching Chris.

In the junior championship final Blair Carnegie had a comprehensive 7 and 5 victory over Fraser Davidson.

STIRLING LADIES

THE ladies’ championship was won by Alison Davidson, who beat Vicki Stevenson in the final. Alison was well under par for the first nine and Vicki was unable to fight back, losing at the 16th hole.

The ladies’ handicap championship was a tough battle between Lorna Donaldson and Frances Oxburgh, who both led during the match. Frances eventually won at the 18th hole.

In the bronze championship Eleanor Cull and Elizabeth Guthrie joined the other finalists on Saturday. Some stunning golf from Eleanor in the first half gave her a big lead, which proved too much for her opponent and Eleanor won the match at the 12th hole.

Ladie’ championship – quarter-finals: Alison Davidson bt Shelagh Quinn, Fiona Campbell bt Lianne Muirhead, Maureen Noble bt Tricia Chillas, Vicki Stevenson bt Pat Morris. Semi-finals: A Davidson bt F Campbell, V Stevenson bt M Noble. Final: A Davidson bt V Stevenson.

Ladies handicap championship – quarter-finals: Nicola Bain bt Ann Wallace, Frances Oxburgh bt Helen Appleby, Lorna Donaldson bt Ann Taggart, Susan MacLeod bt Jayne McKenzie. Semi-finals: F Oxburgh bt N Bain, L Donaldson bt S MacLeod. Final: F Oxburgh bt L Donaldson.

Bronze championship – quarter-finals: Eleanor Cull bt Ann MacKenzie, Jean Cockburn bt Ann Taggart, Kathleen Todd bt Jacky Farrell, Elizabeth Guthrie bt Mairead Smith Hume. Semi-finals E Cull bt J Cockburn, E Guthrie bt K Todd. Final: E Cull bt E Guthrie.

DUNBLANE LADIES

THE senior qualifying round and medal was played on June 23 and a few ladies reduced their handicaps. The scratch winner was Sheila Hartley with 79.

Results: silver Mary Thomson 81-14-67, Sheila Hartley 79-11-68 Sheila Durward 88-16-72; bronze Lorna Brown 92-24-68, Irene Godfrey 97-27-70, Vera Calderwood 95-22-73.

The Ladies’ Open takes place on Sunday, August 2.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN

IT WAS club championship week at Bridge of Allan last week, with the knock-out rounds being played midweek and the finals on Saturday.

In the gents’ scratch competition former champions Trevor Kelly and Roger Moore contested the final. Both players had produced some excellent golf throughout the week but Trevor triumphed on the day defeating Roger 4 and 3. This was Trevor’s fifth victory in the championship, which equals the record.

In the Oliphant Trophy another former winner, Neil Kerr, defeated Tom Wallace five and four. This was another very close contest throughout, with Neil eventually proving just too good on the day.

The junior members also played their competitions on Saturday, with Blair Carnegie being crowned junior champion and Dylan Masterson winning the handicap competition.

This weekend there is a medal on Sunday, due to the annual am-am competitions on Friday and Saturday, and next Wednesday sees the start of the summer midweek medals. These competitions are full 18-hole medals, similar to the Saturday competitions.

BRUCEFIELD

THE June Par Trophy was won by A Taylor +9, 2 D Roberts +5, 3 M Smith +4 bih.

DOLLAR

SATURDAY, June 20, Hall of Fame qualifier): division one 1 V Allan (5) 62, 2 A Moffat (6) 63, 3 K Christie (8) 63; division two 1 J Mills (20) 62, 2 R Bonnar (18) 63, 3 J Wilkie (23) 66.

Saturday, June 27, The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund: division one 1 D Hulston (+4) 63, 2 G Davies (8) 64, 3 V Allan (4) 65; division two: 1 J Wilkie (23) 60, 2 J Roche (22) 63, 3 D Brodie (15) 65.

Sunday, June 28: NPFA McRobert Cup: division one 1 G Chalmers (3) 62, 2 D Neil (8) 62, 3 D Borrowman (10) 64; division two 1 G Hyde (17) 64, 2 D Brodie (14) 66, 3 B Hutchison (14) 68.

STIRLING JUNIORS

On Sunday Stirling Juniors beat Falkirk Golf Club in the Stirlingshire County Ellis Shield at Stirling, winning 3-2 with one match halved.

Wins from Josh Cleland, Calum Worsley and James Todd jnr were coupled with a vital half-point from Russell Stewart, making his debut in a team match. They can now look forward to a home match against Bonnybridge in the next round.

Coaching will be provided by assistant pro Phil Morris during the school holidays at Kings Park.

For the 10-14 age group it will take place from 10am to 11am. The over-14 sessions are from 11am to noon.

The sessions, which are free for members, will take place on Fridays, July 3, 10, 17 and 24 and Mondays, July 27 and August 10.

Junior members should add their name to the list in the pro shop if they want to attend.

MUTHILL LADIES

GALA Trophy, played on June 25: division one 1 Margaret Marshall 96-24-72, 2 Elizabeth Crayton 90-18-72; division two: 1 Mary Arbuckle 103-31-72, 2 Lila Dewar 108-35-73.

WHITEMOSS

CAPTAIN’S Charity event: division one Calum Mitchell (6) 37, Colin Glassey (13) 36, M Murray (15) 36; division two Joe Rushforth (19) 37, Ian Marsh (18), Robin Grant (19) 33; division three James Watt (27) 38, Chris Scott (27) 33, David Hickman (22) 37.