HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

BEST COUNTY GOLF DINNER SO FAR

And that was the general consensus at Alloa Golf Club after the annual Clackmannan County Golf Dinner and presentation of the 2010 prizes. With Tom Paterson ably chairing the evening, and a company of around 60 representing the six clubs from the county, the evening started well with a first class meal.
Then followed the presentation of 2010 golfing trophies by George Kay (Clackmannan County President).
The star winners of the 2010 season just had to be Alva Golf Club taking the County League trophy, Alva member Michael Robertson winning three trophies(County Match-play, Harrower Trophy and Order of Merit Trophy) and Steven Horne winning the 108-year-old county championship trophy.
Alloa’s vice-captain accepted the County Fours Trophy, and, pictured above, Kevin Ross (Tillicoultry) took the inaugural Boys' Order of Merit trophy (with great appreciation), donated and presented by Kenny Dowie.
A special award was given to boys Scott Baird (Tillicoultry) and Lawrence Allan (Alva). County vice-president Bill Hatley explained: “Clackmannan County Golf Union wanted to recognise their achievements, Scott for his role as boys' captain in 2010 and Lawrence for his outstanding performances. Both the boys are a credit to themselves and their families."
County secretary Tommy Johnson took great pleasure in reminding the company that Clackmannanshire golfers under John Gullen’s captaincy had won both the Provan Salver and Midland Team championship in 2010, an outstanding achievement for a small county.
After the presentation, the company were superbly entertained by guest speaker Eric Davidson, and the evening concluded with a raffle. Thanks for the donations. The whole evening must have pleased the main organisers Tommy Johnson, George Kay and Sam Kinnaird. It was unhurried, and there was plenty of opportunity to socialise between the items.
Altogether an outstanding evening and an incentive to repeat the evening next year.

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Representing Clackmannanshire were John Salmond (Alloa) and Lawrence Allan (Alva), and they put in two fine scores in difficult conditions over The Duke’s Course, St Andrews last weekend.
Both finished in the top 10, John sixth with a 74 and Lawrence ninth with 75 over the par-71 course. John had the best possible start with an eagle 3 at the first hole and a birdie at the fifth. A couple of double bogeys spoiled an otherwise very good scorecard. It was a first-class performance putting him alongside top Scottish boy golfers, indeed beating some of them.
On the other hand, Lawrence needed a good score to keep up with the other elite golfers and also to set him up for the Scottish boys' championship at Dunbar next month. Highlights of his round were long driving and a breathtaking shot of around 160 yards hit from a fairway bunker at the 18th, finishing 3ft from the hole and giving him a birdie 3.

HUGH HUNTER