George Paterson (57) one of oldest Aberdeen

Links championship winners on record

George Paterson, 57-year-old Northern Golf Club member, became one of the oldest winners of the Aberdeen Links championship last night when he beat the favourite and former runner-up, Barrie Edmond (Bon Accord) by 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final.
Paterson is a former consultant in the oil industry and has become a full-time amateur golfer since he took early retirement.
Paterson was four under par for the holes played - excellent scoring in a final when the pressure is on.
The turning point of the match came after a bogey by Paterson enabled Edmond to square the match at the 10th.
George, a regular competitor through the winter on the North-east Alliance circuit, birdied the 11th, 12th and 13th, winning two of them, to go into a decisive two-hole lead.
"I played in the 1995 final against Donald Jamieson and he beat me. After that I didn't play here at the Links again until two years ago when I joined the Northern club again," said Paterson.
"At 57 I must be one of the oldest winners of the Links championship and I can't stress enough how happy I am to have won.
"Barrie was the favourite and he hits the ball colossal distances but I managed to get a few putts in early to put him under pressure and fortunately for me Barrie is having to suffer again. I feel for him as he is a great player."
Edmond was also beaten finalist in the Links championship in 2003.