GET A GRIP, PETER SMITH TIP LEADS TO DEFEAT BY EUAN McINTOSH

 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) and Euan McIntosh (Newmachar), winners of the North-east Alliance pro-am foursomes (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency).

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
A couple of weeks ago former Northern Open champion Peter Smith, at the request of fellow golf professional Euan McIntosh, had a close look at his technique and altered Euan's grip with a view to producing better, more consistent scores.
In today's final of the North-east Alliance pro-am foursomes at Murcar Links, McIntosh “thanked” his good friend by teaming up with McDonald Ellon amateur Kevin Duncan to beat Smith, now a teaching pro at Deeside Golf Club, and Paul Lawrie’s 18-year-old nephew Sean Lawrie (Portlethen) by 3 and 1 in the final.
“I remember thinking at the time that this could come back and haunt me,” said Peter with a laugh. “But I look upon it like a doctor and a patient who is ill … a doctor would never refuse to treat him, would he?
“Euan has certainly started getting lower scores and better results and if that is in any way thanks to my help, then it’s good for my coaching credibility.”
Newmachar tour pro McIntosh, who gets married to Dingwall girl Gillian Ritchie at Meldrum House Hotel , Oldmeldrum tomorrow, said: “I can’t thank Peter Smith enough. It’s a pity I had to pay him back like this!”
There was never more than a hole in it either way in a nip-and-tuck final until McIntosh and Duncan, who has a +2 handicap, birdied the 12th to square the match and won the 13th with a par to go one up, followed by Kevin holing a 40ft putt from off the back of the green for a birdie at the 15th to be two up on the 16th tee.
That hole was halved and then part-time pro McIntosh – he is a business development manager of a North-east oil company as well as being director of golf at Maverston Highland Estate near Elgin – and Duncan won the 17th to clinch a 3 and 1 victory.
The all-amateur handicap final saw joint North-east Alliance secretary Dave Mackay (Newmachar), and Mike Booth (Kemnay) beat John Hamilton (Murcar Links) and Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) by 4 and 3.
Mackay and Booth received two shots – at the sixth and 10th – and won both the holes. All square at the turn, they won the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th for victory.
“That’s my first title in 25 years as a member of the North-east Alliance!” said Mackay.

Dave Mackay (Newmachar) and Mike Booth (Kemnay), winners of the NE Alliance am-am foursomes at Murcar Links. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

Results of finals:

Pro-Am (Evening Express Shield)
Euan McIntosh (Newmachar) and Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) bt Peter Smith (Deeside) and Sean Lawrie (Portlethen) 3 and 1.

Am-Am (Press and Journal Shield)
Dave Mackay (Newmachar) (6) and Mike Booth (Kemnay) (11) bt John Hamilton (Murcar Links) (7) and Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay) (6) 4 and 3.

SEAN LAWRIE GETS NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE

LEADING AMATEUR AWARD

Portlethen prospect Sean Lawrie lost in partnership with pro Peter Smith in the final of the North-east Alliance pro-am foursomes but he did receive the J K Hall Quaich which goes to the leading amateur in the 36-hole North-east Alliance individual championship, played recently at Duff House Royal and then Buckpool. Scott Larkin (Royal Aberdeen) won the overall championship, open to professionals and amateurs. Under the rules of the NE Alliance, Larkin could not also win the leading amateur award - and that's where 18-year-old Sean Lawrie came in. He had the next best two-round scratch total by an amateur.