HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Left to right after the Clackmannan county match-play championship final: Beaten finalist Darren Hulston (Dollar), county president Bill Abernethy, and championship winner Michael Robertson (Alva). Image by Hugh Hunter.

THRILLING MATCH-PLAY FINAL
The small group of spectators and supporters at Tulliallan last Thursday were treated to a top class final in the 2010 Clackmannan County Golf Union Match Play Championship. Both players were round in under par.
The closely-contested match between Michael Robertson (Alva) and Darren Hulston (Dollar) produced high quality golf shots ranging from powerful drives - Darren hit an uphill drive at the 14th (Muckle Clure) that was just short of 300 yards--- to accurate irons, and outstanding pitching and putting. Michael Robertson came out ahead, perhaps with just the more consistent play, giving Alva their first county match-play Champion for a good number of years.
On the outward nine, Michael held the advantage with a two-hole lead at the turn, thanks to birdies at the short sixth and 8th where a short iron over trees finished close. Darren held the deficit right to the closing holes with good short game play. He just missed a putt on the last green which would have taken the match into extra holes.
Michael held his nerve and resisted this charge. A particularly good shot of his was a pitch at the 15th, judged perfectly to bounce off the bank and release on to the green close to the pin to ensure a half in par 3.
Result:
FINAL -  Michael Robertson (Alva) beat Darren Hulston (Dollar) 1 hole
As a result of this fine performance, Michael should get an invite to the 2011 Champion of Champions at Leven in April.

WEE COUNTY WELL UP IN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the 2010 Scottish Schools Golf Championships at the Murrayshall courses, the Clackmannan representatives from Alva Academy put in a good performance, finishing sixth in the team event out of 27 Local Authority areas.
Top performer in the 36 hole event was Lawrence Allan with a 148 (70, 78) followed by Kevin Ross 152 (75,77) and Scott Baird (78,75). With all scores counting, this gave a team total of 453 some way behind winners South District with a winning aggregate of 423.

LAWRENCE KEEPS IN TOUCH
Alva’s Lawrence Allan has had a busy week, finishing with the 36 hole last SGU Junior Tour event this year, played at Kilmarnock Barassie on Sunday. In a field of 39 containing all the top Scottish boys, Lawrence finished 14th equal, ahead of several older and more experienced boy golfers.
His aggregate of 152 (77, 75) contained 5 birdies all at the par 5’s, and he must be reasonably confident for the Scottish Under 16’s event coming up at the beginning of July

Braehead boys (left to right): Grant Murray, Brian McAdam, Steven Mitchell, Jordan Struthers, Scott Beattie and Rikky Alexander. Image by Hugh Hunter.

BRAEHEAD BOYS LOOKING GOOD
The Clackmannan County Boys League is underway, and following on from their success in the County Junior Boys Championship, the Braehead boys are making their presence felt.  They had a good home win over Alloa last weekend by 4 matches to 1 with one half.

SCOTTISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The only Clackmannan County representative Phil Dempsey (Tulliallan) just missed out qualifying for the Match Play stages. His two round aggregate of 148 (71, 77) over the East Renfrewshire course was two shots too many for a top sixteen place and a chance to win the 2010 title.


CALLUM FINDS GOLFING FORM
Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay must have been pleased to find some golfing form returning in the Scottish Hydro Challenge last week. His closing round over the par 71, 7100 yard course was a 4 under par 67 and lifted him well up the field resulting in a four round score of 277 (72, 68, 70, 67) and a share of 11th position. This good performance should also lift his Challenge Tour ranking considerably from his present 93rd position, and much closer to where he needs to be at the end of the season. Callum is due to play in the rescheduled Moroccan Golf Classic this week