Golf round-up Apr 16

Apr 16 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

IF THE last week has proved anything it is that the standards of golf worldwide are improving by the year.

The annual 72-holer at Edinburgh’s Craigmillar Park was won by a 19-under-par total after a play-off between the top two combatants, Gavin Dear of Murrayshall and Matthew Clark of Kilmacolm.

This was stunning stuff on a course with its early-season clothes on, bare greens and lack of growth, but the weather was wonderful.

The best performers from our area again were winter league team players Steven Armstrong of Turnhouse in eigth with a 10-under total; and Allyn Dick of Shotts and Kingsknowe, on two shots more, in 13th position.

And, of course, there was the Masters at Augusta, which enthralled us all at the weekend with its breathtaking standards.

The boys’ last week at Royal Aberdeen had the favourite taking the title, as David Law, a +2 handicapper at under-18, overcame an opponent, who lost in last year’s final, of +1 handicap.

No wonder our local lads were early-round losers, as even at this level there was high quality on display.

We are also in the middle of a debate which is critical of standards in Scotland – there are not the players of a high enough quality filtering through to the pro ranks.

Anyway, our local hopefuls had all been erased from the Championship by the third round at Aberdeen though there were several showings which were creditable.

Louis Gaughan of Bathgate got to the third and went out to former Walker Cup player Gordon Cosh’s grandson, Jack McDonald, who went on to the quarter finals.

McDonald also erased the name of Pumpherston’s Andrew Loch though, he has plenty of time to do a lot better than the second round as he is still only 14 years old.

Uphall’s Paul O’Day won a couple of games, one a cliffhanger at the 20th, before falling in the dreaded third round.

His Uphall compatriot Josh Renwick also reached that round before losing to Simon Taylor, who in a later match took the eventual winner to extra holes.

Glenn Ramsay of Bathgate, who reached the second round, went out at the second extra hole to a one-handicap golfer so no shame there.

So no real doom-and-gloom except up Harburn way when their young Champion, Stuart Boyle, went out at the first stage to a lad from Deeside who, in a handicap event, would have been in receipt of four shots from the West Calder boy.

Though class reached the top as far as the title was concerned, at this time you occasionally get the youngster who has wintered well and comes through a few rounds with a hot putter.

UPHALL got the season off and running with their Billy Beveridge event on Saturday and it was super in the sun for Derek Bryce who had a great 68-6=62 to lift the trophy though only by a shot from 20-handicaper Hugh Gillespie.

Back from the boys, and obviously benefiting from the experience, was Josh Renwick with a net 64 in third off his five-mark.

BATHGATE had its opening for the DM Hunter Trophy and there was a massive field getting on for 200 competitors.

Top man was Alex McMichael with a grand 75-10=65, which left him two ahead of runner-up Davy McCandless (6).

MEMBERS at the West Lothian Club at Bo’ness were out in good numbers supporting events on both Saturday and Sunday.

The first one was a qualifier for the Barkhouse Cochrane Trophy and the leading pair to go forward to the match-play stages was Jim Rodgers and Raymond Paul with 63, a shot better than second-placed Peter Ritchie and Leigh Conner.

The qualifying axe fell at the 70-mark for the 32 pairs into the hat.

The next day it was Billy Manson — second week in a row for him in the frame — who won the Masters Flag with a return of 80-14=66. Joint runners up were Eric Grierson (18) and Robert Laing (5) on 67 net.

WINCHBURGH Niddry Castle members had their Medal/Shield on Sunday just long the road, where S Mackay won the former with a net 65 off his nine-handicap but only on a countback from G Park (10).

The Shield for the higher handicappers went to Ian Robertson for his 87-19=68, a shot better than joint runners-up F Hendry (21) and D Panton (16).

HARBURN had its first Kirk Rosebowl qualifier of the season last midweek and top man was Karl Conway with 71-4=67, a shot ahead of second-placed Matthew Laird.

Karl’s 71 was lowest scratch on the day as well.

Then in the Scott Medal qualifier on Saturday it was the 66 net of Steven Guest (18) which topped the leaderboard from Colin Robertson (21).

Five others trailed in their wake on the 68 net mark.

Drew McCallum was winner of the most recent Sunday Medal at Shotts. His fine 70-6=64 was three better than runner-up Derek Samson (13) who was second.

DEER PARK always have a big day on their opening of the season.

This time the shining light at the top of proceedings was that of the determined George Sutherland.

His 36 stableford points were equalled by both Ross Dalton and Ian Fairbairn, but when the arithmetic was done on the cards George was the top man.

LINLITHGOW opened their 2009 campaign on Saturday and it was Ian Gillespie at the head at the end of the day.

His 90-25=65 beat both Gordon Cairns(18) and Jock McNee (2) into second by a single shot.

Wily campaigner Jock’s 68 was the best scratch of an enjoyable day for members.

MEANWHILE, East and West Alliances met last Thursday for their annual game — Bruntsfield was the venue this time — and it finished a draw after morning foursomes and afternoon singles.

And Bathgate Council beat Lanark Council at Bathgate in their annual encounter, this year held at Bathgate, to win the Langate Trophy.

On the same day there was a Past Captains’ match at Lanark and this time Lanark prevailed, by 3.5 to 1.5.

Talking of matches, the Linlithgowshire Summer League has its opening series on Friday, with Pumpherston no doubt keen to retain their title.