Hugh Hunter's Clackmannan County News

Tillicoultry Junior team (six team membes and two reserves) who held the Alva junior team to a draw. Left to right (back row): Jonathan Imrie, Scott Baird, Scott Hunter, Calum Carberry, Grant Carmichael. Front row: Steven Watson, Kevin Ross, Calum Reid. Image by Hugh Hunter.

LYONS TAKES COUNTY MATCH-PLAY TITLE

There was a thrilling climax to the 2008 Clackmannan County match-play championship with Gordon Lyons snatching his first county title on the last green at Alloa Golf Club in his match against fellow club golfer Steven Horne.
The final between the Tulliallan players was close most of the way with Steven gaining a one- hole advantage early on. Pulled back to square, the destination of the title was to be decided on the 200yd par-3 18th at Alloa.
Both players missed the green. Gordon pitched from the right side of the green over the bunker to 4 t and holed; Steven came from a difficult lie in the left bunker to 8ft and just missed.
In the semi-finals, Gordon had an easy win over Alloa’s Phil Dempsey, while Steven had a much tougher match, scraping through by one hole against Alloa’s David Milloy.
Holder Jamie Aitken (Alloa) fell in the first round to Alloa junior Grant Dowie by 4 and 3 over Alva.
RESULTS
QUARTER FINALS
David Milloy (Alloa) bt Graeme Rennie (Alloa) at 19th
Steven Horne (Tulliallan) bt John McPherson (Braehead) 3 and 2.
Phil Dempsey (Alloa) bt Steve McIvor (Alva) 3 and 2.
Gordon Lyons (Tulliallan) bt Grant Dowie (Alloa) 2 and 1.
SEMI-FINALS
Horne bt Milloy 1 hole
Lyons bt Dempsey 6 and 5.
FINAL
Lyons bt Horne 1 hole.

COUNTY BOYS LEAGUE
Just short of the halfway point in the 2008 league, holders Alva Golf Club are leading the five teams by a narrow margin with Tillicoultry and Dollar close behind.
In the match last weekend between Alva and Tillicoultry, reputations were at stake with both teams undefeated in the 2008 event. In the end, the result over Tillicoultry Golf Course was an honourable half.
This weekend both these teams have home games, and they will be eyeing each other's performance carefully.

MATCH RESULTS

TILLYCOULTRY 3, ALVA 3
(Tillicoultry names first)
1. Callum Carberry lost to Lawrence Allan 7 and 5.
2. Scott Baird beat Scott Thomson 2 and 1.
3. Scott Hunter beat Gary Elliot 6 and 4.
4. Jonathan Imrie lost to Reyner Kennedy 3 and 2.
5. Kevin Ross lost to Darren Young 3 and 2.
6. Steven Watson beat Craig Comrie 3 and 2.

2008 SCOTTISH YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott Borrowman’s reign as Scottish youths champion finishes this weekend, when the 2008 title-winner takes over. 144 low handicap players will contest the title and almost half have plus handicaps, showing the very high standard of youths golf these days.
Unfortunately, no Clackmannanshire player can meet the handicap requirement of 1.4 or better……maybe next year.

TENNANT CUP
The Tennant Cup is one of the oldest golf competitions in existence, with the 2008 event taking place this weekend. Run by the Glasgow Golf Club over Glasgow Gailes (36 holes) and Killermont (36 holes), it has attracted the usual high quality entry, including three Wee County players, Callum Macaulay(Tulliallan), Scott Borrowman (Dollar) and Phil Dempsey (Alloa).
It is a national ranking amateur event, and earns points towards the Scottish Order of Merit and Scottish Golfer of the Year titles.