Golf: Bathgate man clinches handicap prize at competition

Feb 4 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance lads were out in numbers last Wednesday at the Glen, North Berwick and the Midland Alliance the following day at Lundin in Fife.

It was at the latter venue that there was a success for Bathgate veteran, nine handicap John Leddy.

John produced a three over the card 74 scratch, 65 net, to win top handicap prize.

Doughty competitor John, of course, has been there before.

It was only a couple of years ago the Whitburn resident was making Alliance members sit up and take notice with a string of successes through the winter months.

Fellow competitors will, no doubt, be keeping fingers firmly crossed that this is not the big man starting another charge over the local golf courses and competitions.

It was almost two successes for Bathgate in two days on the local competition circuit because Leddy's fellow home club member, Peter Ritchie had picked up a second place at the windy North Berwick venue the day before.

Peter recorded an 80-9=71 to slot in behind winner, five handicap David Graham of Lochend.

And, here too, there was a fourth equal for Deer Park one handicapper, Andy Rothney on 73 net.

The greens at the Glen were cut down and the pins put in awkward spots on the sloping surfaces which, along with the wind, helped to balloon the scoring.

Best scratch scores on the day were the 72’s of Colin Fraser of Peebles and David Patrick of Elie, the former Walker Cup player.

There was, however, a joint third spot for a West Lothian local in the shape of Uphall pro Gordon Law.