PHILLIPS TROPHY REPORT, SCORES

Local knowledge
helps McCulloch
win at Cruden Bay

McDonald Ellon’s Stewart McCulloch, 28, followed in the footsteps of North-east golfing legends such as Harry Bannerman and the late Jack Booth by winning the North-east District’s Phillips Trophy stroke-play tournament at Cruden Bay Golf Club on Sunday.
McCulloch, pictured right with the magnificent trophy, grew up and learned to play golf on the Cruden Bay links, so no surprise that even in the very windy conditions, he was able to put together rounds of 75 and 73 for a total of 148,
The CSS for both rounds was 74 non-counting. The par is 71.
Andrew Bews (Murcar Links) and Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) were joint runners-up on 151, Bews with rounds of 77 and 74, Halliday 76 and 75.
Bews’ better second round earned him second prize.
Laurie Phillips (Cruden Bay), whose great-grandfather Jocky presented the trophy to the NE District for stroke-play competition in 1947, finished fourth with a pair of 76s for 152. Originally the tournament was over four rounds but in latter years it has been over two rounds.
Leading final totals
(par 142, 2x71. CSS 74 non-counting both rounds).
148 Stewart McCulloch (McDonald Ellon) 75 73.
151 Anthony Bews (Murcar Links 77 74, Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 76 75.
152 Laurie Phillips (Cruden Bay) 76 76.
154 Sam Strachan (Inverallochy) 82 72, Mathew Greig (Bon Accord) 76 78.
155 Chris Gilbert (Cruden Bay) 77 78.
156 Barrie Edmond (Bon Accord) 82 74.