HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR CHAMPION BRYAN FOTHERINGHAM

Prizewinners' parade (left to right): Stuart Tatters, Rodger Clarke, North District president Ian Ross, Bryan Fotheringham and Lyle McAlpine. Bryan Fotheringham, now playing out of Inverness, celebrated his 33rd birthday on Saturday by winning the North District golf championship at Elgin for a third time. As a Forres GC member he won the title in 2008 and 2009. On a day of wind and rain, Fotherham, capped for Scotland in 2005 and 2006, had rounds of 68 and 72 for a total of four-over-par 142 to win by two shots from Stuart Tatters (Moray) (73-69) and defending champion Neil McWilliam (Elgin) (71-71). Tatters' better second round earned him the second-place prize.  Having covered the outward half in 33 in the morning, Fotheringham struggled in the afternoon rain and took 39 (five over par) to reach the turn. That opened the door to his challengers but he recovered with birdies at the 11th, 15th and 17th, and could afford to finish with a bogey for a 72. The Under-21 youths' title was won by Rodger Clarke (Moray) with scores of 77 and 69 for 146, the same total as Scottish youths champion Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch). Clarke's better second round was the tie-breaker. His second round had contrasting halves of 29  (six-under-par) and 40 (five-over par). Ewan Barras (Loch Ness) had the best handicap net total of 141 (70-71), winning by four shots from Corin Stewart (Fortrose and Rosemarking) (75-70) and Darren Hexley (Inverness) (73-72), both net 145.   LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 138 (2x69). SSS 71. CSS 72 and 70. 140 Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) 68 72. 142 Stuart Tatters (Moray) 73 69, Neil McWilliam (Elgin) 71 71. 143 John Forbes (Inverness) 71 72. 145 Alec Mair (Moray) 74 71. 146 Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch) 73 73, Rodger Clarke (Moray) 77 69. 147 Gavin Hay (Grantown on Spey) 79 68, Robert Sheils (Moray) 73 74, Gary Thomson (Moray) 72-75. 148 Alan Everett (Tain) 75 73. 149 Darren Hexley (Inverness) 75 74, Mark Ross (Elgin) 77 72, Tom Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 74 75. YOUTHS' CHAMPIONSHIP 146 Rodger Clarke (Moray) 77 69 (better second round), Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch) 73 73. 149 Tom Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 74 75. 153 Derek Ramsay (Elgin) 75 78. HANDICAP PRIZES 141 Ewan Barras (Loch Ness) (5) 70 71. 145 Corin Stewart (Fortrose and Rosemarkie) (4) 75 70, Darren Hexley (Inverness) (2) 73 72.