Semi final run for Pumphy golfer

May 12 2011 West Lothian Courier

THERE was no ultimate glory for West Lothian players in the Lothians Championship at Broomieknowe but there was a highly creditable show by 46-year-old Mark Timmins of Pumpherston who went all the way to the semi finals, writes Russell Cameron.

Mark, the 2000 winner of this title, was out in his first round match last Tuesday and it proved to be a real cliffhanger which he got through at the 19th.

The round of the last 16proved little easier with another tight one against Michael Campbell of Swanston New who had beaten young Josh Renwick of Uphall in his opening match. Timmins got through on the final hole.

So to the last eight and it was a much more comfortable occasion for the Pumphy golfer with a 5/3 success against young Blair of Royal Musselburgh.

His semi-final opponent, Steven Smith of Marriott Dalmahoy was not to be trifled with and eased his way past the older man by 4/3 in the end..

Smith was beaten in the final by Alan Anderson of Bruntsfield Links and that would leave Greenburn’s Brian Watson with regrets because Anderson had taken ‘Wattie’ out in round one in a game that went all the way.

The only player whose fate I’ve not mentioned is young McMehen from Linlithgow who I left last week after a super win over the experienced Scott Walker from West Linton.

Round two was one too far though with the opposition being Keith Nicholson of Haddington, probably the Lothians golfer with the best record in these events in the last 15 years.

The match only lasted thirteen holes and if there is a consolation for McMehen it is in that he is not the first and will certainly not be the last to fall at the hands of Mr Consistency.

At Bathgate, despite starting 6, 6, it was a win for Frank Fealey Jnr in the club’s May Tankard with a final score of 76-12=64. Runner up was youngster Greg Miller with a very good 69-3=66.

On the same day at Fauldhouse there was a tie at the top of the leaderboard in Greenburn’s Peter Lynch Trophy. It was 13 handicap man John McGinley who got the nod from Willie Salmond (12) after the countback on the cards.

Pumpherston meanwhile was playing its Kilfeather Trophy event and it was S Aitken in front at the close of proceedings with a fine 73-7=66, three ahead of a triple tie in second spot featuring K Burnside (6), DG Evans (11) and R Nisbet (6).

Over at Winchburgh on Saturday last there was a win for Stuart Lennon (10) in the Niddry Castle club’s Captain’s Prize.

Harburn had a good turnout for their Bobby Smith Triam and it was the team of Ian Johnstone, Jim McEwan and Eddie Boyle who triumphed eventually though only after a countback with the team of Peter Baird, Dave Bryans and Kenny Smolock.

The teams were locked on the very impressive 58 net.