Hugh Hunter's Clackmannan County News

Lawrence Allan (Alva), on right, and foursomes partner Euan Bradley (Mount Ellen), foursomes partners for Scotland in the Under-16 international againts England at Arbroath. Image by courtesy of Hugh Hunter.

SUCCESS GALORE FOR CLACKMANNAN GOLFERS

It's been a week of achievement for Wee County golfers on the national stage. Top performance of the week came from Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart in the Senior Home Internationals held in Ireland.

In six matches of foursomes and singles, Bob recorded three wins, two halves and one loss. Best performance was in the singles when he played for Scotland in the No 1 spot, and over the three days was undefeated---winning against England, and halving with Ireland and Wales.

In the foursomes, partnered by Derek Murphy, they won two matches and lost one. Unfortunately Ireland just pipped Scotland for the 2009 Senior Men's Home Internationals title.
Next best performance came from 14-year-old Lawrence Allan (Alva) who played in the Under- 16s Scotland team in the annual match against England at Arbroath. Lawrence partnered Euan Bradley (Mount Ellen) and the pair seemed to be heading for a heavy defeat and early lunch when they were five down after nine holes.

However, a spirited fightback took the match to the last green where they lost by the narrowest of margins. In his singles match, Lawrence reversed his foursomes loss with a one-hole win over English player Curtis Griffiths.
After the morning foursomes, the Scottish boys found themselves 4-1 down, but turned the match round in the singles and the final match result was a draw at seven and a half matches each.
Lawrence has demonstrated that he can play at a high level, and with a few more years in boys' golf, he should be able to make a considerable mark, bringing great honour to his family and Alva Golf Club.
After coming close in previous years, Alloa’s Ray Barton eventually won the PGA Patrons' Club match-play tournament last at Gleneagles, winning his semi-final match by 2 and 1 and the final by two holes.
Alloa Golf Club’s professionals David Herd and Gregor Abel are also making inroads into the competitions scene - Gregor has been a regular in Tartan Tour events - with some good finishes and both will be at some of the Midland Alliances event over the winter.

The lead in the money-winners list in the Alliance is held by Alloa’s Michael Niven with Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart in second place.

AND MORE SUCCESS FOR CALLUM

Once again, Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay bounced back in the last two rounds of the Dunhill at St Andrews to pick up a good five-figure pay cheque and move him that bit closer to retaining his European Tour card for the 2010 golf season.

In his first round over Kingsbarns, water gave him trouble and in round two the Carnoustie bunkers in the last few holes cost a number of dropped shots. So after two rounds he stood at one over par and needed something special in round three if he was to make the cut for the top 70 players.

Well, it happened and fellow Tulliallan golfer Bob Stewart was there to see accurate driving of well over 300 yards, and much better putting than in the first two rounds. Said Bob “It was a gutsy performance and Callum produced it when he needed it, making the cut with nothing to spare.”

A five under par 67 was the result and he followed it with a final 4 under 68 to give him a four round total of eight under par, and a share 0f 42nd place. He was also pleased to learn that he had made the field for the Madrid Open this week, and of course hoping that he can continue where he left off.

Well done, Callum!