Golf : Woods Trophy at Braehead

Sep 14 2011 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

AS the Garry Harvey Trophy for Junior County teams was being held at Braehead on Saturday and Sunday, there were no Gents competitions.

In the Albert Woods Trophy played on September 7, 32 seniors played in this greensomes event and it was Willie Blair and Peter Cunningham who won comfortably by three strokes from Brian Christie and Jim Syme.

Results: 1 Willie Blair and Peter Cunningham 64, 2 Brian Christie and Jim Syme 67 (ACB), 3 Jim Kerr and David Taylor 67, 4 Frank Malkiewicz and Charlie Beattie 68. Magic Twos Jim Kerr and David Taylor.

On September 8 in the Caledonian League, the team travelled the short distance to Muckhart to play the final match of the season with promotion to the elite top division at stake.

The Caley League was formed in March 2006 and boasts three divisions. The team excelled and somehow managed a draw which was enough to cause some celebration on reaching the first division for the very first time.

Results: Brian Christie and Mike Borek lost 3 and 2 to Hugh Cowbrough and Jim Kean; Jim Kerr and Malcolm Spiers halved with Alex Robertson and Jim Cowan; Willie Blair and Jim Syme lost 3 and 2 to David Reid and Ralph Cleworth; John Binnie and Charlie Beattie halved with Fred Stirling and Austin Clark; Fred Anderson and Larry Smith finished one up against Ernest Sangster and Stanley Archibald; Tom Boyle and Allan Malcolm won 2 and 1 against Bob Kotchie and Datiaf Lorenze.

It is not yet known who will be relegated from the top league. Among the likely opponents next season will be Blairgowrie, Dunfermline, Downfield, Kirkcaldy, Leven, Pitreivie and Dollar.

On September 9 in the Bill Abernethy Trophy, the weather was very poor for week 20 of this new and popular tournament. Because of this no one was able to improve their league position and it was long time leader, Brian Christie who finished top, only one shot ahead of Willie Blair.

In the over 70s the honours went to Norman Service (who was only eligible because his 70th birthday was three days before the opening week).

Well done to both Brian and Norman for their consistency over the last 20 weeks.

1 Brian Christie (551 shots), 2 Willie Blair (552), George Harper (558); Over 70's: 1 Norman Service (567), 2 Alan Okey (570), 3 Jim Syme (571), 4 Peter Cunningham (574).

In the Ladies 9-Hole Competition No.3 played September 7: 1 Fay Rodenburg 16 points; 2 Christine Sikora 16; 3 Marjory Chalmers 16 (positions decided on count back).

The Clackmannan Cup due to be played last Saturday was cancelled due to bad weather.

Bridge of Allan

ON Saturday the second round of the Munro Medal was competed for:

A Class: 1 Tommy Green 63 (5); 2Alan Loughray 66 (12); 3 Callum Thomson 69 (12); B Class: 1 Stephen Weston 63 (18); 2 Ian Mailer (Snr) 68 (20); 3 Steven Kirk 70 (24).

Overall winner of the Munro Trophy best nett two scores was Stephen Weston 68+63=131.

Clackmannanshire

WITH an outstanding performance over the par 72 Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie, Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart clinched the 2011 Seniors Order of Merit.

Starting the round knowing he had to fend off his two nearest challengers (playing alongside him), Bob raced to the turn in one under par. His nearest rival, Gordon Macdonald, Callander dropped five shots in the first three holes and never pulled back the shots as Bob continued in steady fashion to return a 74, the best score of the day.

A few years back, Bob had the title in his grasp, but missed a short putt, but there was no mistake this time as he cruised to victory. With a maximum of 125, Bob took the Order of Merit title by over 100 points, bringing another national title to Tulliallan and Clackmannanshire.

Bob was one of only three golfers to play in 10 events on the Senior circuit, and now must be quietly confident for the Senior Home Internationals coming up this week at Woodhall Spa.

Fellow club player Phil Dempsey finished with an 81 at Lansdowne and finished in 23 equal place in the Order of Merit with 182 points.

Now that the 2011 Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit is complete with James White, Lundin being declared the winner, it is worth noting that two Clackmannan County players have managed a few points to establish themselves in the rankings, at 62nd equal is Alva’s Lawrence Allan, and 75th equal County Team Captain Jamie Aitken, Alloa.

Dollar

RESULTS Sunday, September 11 Moir Medal: Division one: 1 S McPherson (5) 64; 2 L Caine (9) 65; 3 J McMillan (11) 65.

Division two: 1 J McAviney (21) 67; 2 G Barker (13) 67; 3 R Hamilton (15) 68.

Dollar Ladies

ON Wednesday, September 7 in the Marie Dawkin Trophy: 1 D Dunning (24) 66; 2 K Marshall (23) 68.

Dunblane New Gents

THE British Legion Trophy on Saturday had to be cancelled as the course was closed following torrential rain overnight. Hopefully the competition will now be played on the weekend of October 8.

The weather only just relented sufficiently to allow the infamous Dobie Trophy, the husband and wife foursomes, to be played on Sunday. Twenty eight couples braved the rain which seemed to have the effect of cooling any aggravation as there seemed to be a lot of forced smiling at the end.

Winners of the Dobie Trophy were Colin and Audrey Wilkie (21.5) on 69.5, with the highlight a birdie 2 at 3. Runners up were Stuart and Alison Brown (19) on 72, their highlight a birdie 3 at 4. Arthur and Irene Rowley (23.5) edged third place on 72.5 and a BL6 holes than Douglas and Janice Stewart (25.5) who suffered from problems at the last hole.

Hopefully there will be sufficient improvement in the weather for the Autumn Meeting to be played next Friday and Saturday.

Members who are in possession of any Club trophies are asked to return them to the Club as soon as possible to allow the engraving to be completed for the Annual Prizegiving.

Results: Dobie Trophy: 1 C and A Wilkie 91-21.5-69.5; 2 A S and A Brown 91-19-72; 3 A and I Rowley 96-23.5-72.5 bl6.

Dunblane New Ladies

THE Nancy McLaren Stableford Fours was played over two days with the Sunday competitors having the best of the weather, 40 ladies took part.

Winners L Brown and C Mackie 43 points; Runners-up A Wilkie, K Turner 42.

Muthill Ladies

SLGA Brooch played September 4 and 8:

Division one winner Vicki Smith; Division two Hazel Lees, runner up Margaret Robertson.

Muthill Gents

RESULTS of the Seniors Stableford played at Muthill on September 9: Ian Wellfare 31 (15), Sam Milligan 31 (13), Alan Shepherd 29 (14).

Whitemoss

IN the Gents Senior Trophy No.12: 1 J Williamson (13) 74, 2 B Kelly (17) 75, 3 J Blyth (13) 76, 4 T Brown (22) 78.

Gents Medal Trophy No.6: Division One: M Murray (13) 73; Division Two: M Kirk (20) 71; Division three: D Herron (24) 68.