ROYAL ABERDEEN CHAMPION STEVEN BUCHAN WINS

DOUGLAS PHILIP TROPHY

Royal Aberdeen club champion Steven Buchan added the Douglas Philip Trophy to his collection of victories this season by beating Stewart Finnie (Caledonian) 3 and 1 in the final at Deeside Golf Club today.
Already this summer, Steven has retained the Balgownie title and also won the Brangan Cup at Duff House Royal and the Murcar Open.
Last year’s home club championship success got Steven, a 29-year-old +l player, into the select field for this match-play tournament for Aberdeen club champions or beaten finalists – so he is guaranteed the opportunity to defend the trophy although there are likely to be changes in the format following a disappointing number of scratchings this year.
Steven jumped into a two-hole lead over Stewart by winning the first an second but Finnie halved his deficit with a first success at the fifth.
Buchan won the eighth with a birdie and the ninth and 10th with pars to be go four up.
Finnie hit back with winning birdies at the 13th and 14th, where he chipped in for a 2, and would have won the 15th but for a splendid pitch and putt for a half by Buchan.
After a half at the 16th, Buchan clinched a winning debut in the event with a conceded birdie after an excellent wedge approach at the next for a 3 and 1 win.
+Picture shows Steven Buchan (on left) and Stewart Finnie with the Douglas Philip Trophy.