Golf: Weather won't deter Pumpherston

May 28 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Karma Restaurant-sponsored Linlithgowshire Summer League has been suffering like most golf competitions in the area with the patchy weather of late.

Winners for the last couple of seasons, Pumpherston, however, still look like they mean business and are definitely out for the hat-trick.

They have completed four fixtures in Section 'C' and have dropped only one point. This was at Fauldhouse on Friday and opponents Greenburn might just be their nearest rivals in the sectional qualifying in the end though two teams do go through from this section.

The Fauldhouse men have played a game fewer than the leaders and have four points, one less than Harburn though the West Calder boys have played four matches.

A tough one for Greenburn this Friday, away to West Lothian, though.

The Bo'ness side picked up their first point on Friday last at Niddry and a single point from three matches is a poor showing given the players at their disposal. It was Niddry's first point too and they have completed four matches.

In Section 'A', later to start, there is hardly a pattern emerging though Shotts have looked impressive with two wins in as many games with last Friday's victory at Bathgate quite an significant one – it was Bathgate's first fixture as their opener at Deer Park was lost to foul weather.

The latter-named team opened with a win at Binny last week and were due to complete the postponed fixture with Bathgate this week so they might be Shotts' nearest rivals for the one place available for the knockout stages from the section.

Section 'B' has opened with a couple of wins for Linlithgow. They often start well and have fallen from grace every time but could this be their year?

Last Friday's win at Uphall was certainly impressive so it might just be different this time around. Their nearest rivals will probably be Dundas who overwhelmed near neighbours Bridgend by 6-0 at Bridgend in their only match so far.

And Dundas are doing well in the Seniors League. They are top with 9 points after six matches, a point ahead of West Lothian and Uphall though Uphall have played a game fewer.

Despite some patchy weather there are still some good returns coming in from local clubs.

At Uphall, for example, Mal McDonald needed a 64 net off his 12 mark to win the club's most recent Midweek Spoon and even that was only on a countback from Scott McKinnon (6). Graeme Stevenson (5) and Neil Zelazny (11) were next placed on 65 net.

And at Bo'ness there was a grand 70-4=66 by Ian Whigham to win the club's Seaham Trophy on Saturday.

Ian beat a quartet of performers comprising Ian Shanks (5), Alan Blair (2), Robert Martin (2) and G Meikle (10) into second by two shots.

The previous midweek it had been James Anderson (15) at the head of matters in the club's Wednesday Bowl.

His 67 net tied with that of Christopher Paul (10) but won on a superior inward nine. Rab Patterson was third with 73-5=68.

There was a super return – his second sub seventy of the season – for Stuart McKechnie at Greenburn in their Wednesday Medal last week.

His 67-3=64 was no fewer than four better than his nearest challengers, a trio comprising Blair Todd (5), William Fisher (9) and Michael Carrigan (14).

It looks like the young man's recent lessons are really paying off for him.

Then on Sunday in the Fauldhouse club's McMillan Trophy it was Jason Smillie who carried the day with his 73-7=66, two ahead of joint second placed Stuart Speirs (9) and James Johnston (2).

At Harburn their most recent Kirk Rosebowl qualifier had N Tannahill at the top for his 73-6=67, one ahead of joint runners up Mark Cushley (11) and David Bryans (4).

Bathgate's most recent Wednesday Medal was won by 11 handicap Steven Kelly with a 66 net.

This left him only a shot ahead of his nearest rivals John McKie (4) and Liam Anthony (7).

And the club had 79 pairs out for its Invitational Greensomes on Sunday. Winners were Kenny Black and A Peace with a 64.6 three better than second placed Davy Dunsmore, the club captain and T Skene.

Third went to a great Bathgate name, Eric Brown, partnered by J Brown on the same mark, but losing out on the runners up spot on a countback.

Linlithgow had a super entry for its Handicap Open on Saturday and it was wall to wall local members making up the prize list.

Top man was Harley Rudge with a fantastic 80-18=62, two ahead of four players in joint second. These were John Ewart (6), Craig Mackay (5), Peter Mills (12) and Craig Morrison (6).