HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Clackmannan county championship leading prizewinners (Left to right): handicap winner Jim McAdam, county president George Kay, trophy-winner Lawrence Allan, third-placed Scott Moffat, Lawrence Allan and runner-up Jamie Aitken.

OUTSTANDING GOLF AT CLACKMANNAN CHAMPIONSHIP


There was enough material there to write a book - from the Clackmannan county championship at Braehead - the youngest county champion in the 108- year history of the event, TWO holes in one from two Scotts, a junior golfer holding three county titles and the continuance of the second golden age for Alva Golf Club.
Over the well presented Braehead course, in sunny weather, 17 year old Lawrence Allan took the 2011 title in some style with a 65 in his second round which overtook the first-round leading scores. In winning the title by two shots, another record was set whereby Lawrence added the 2011 county championship to his 2011 boys' stroke and match-play titles.
In the first round, Lawrence opened quietly with a two over par round of 72 leaving him in tenth place. The leading score of 67 came from county match- play champion and long-hitting Scott Moffat, helped by a hole in one at the par 4 293yd fourth.
Scott’s double eagle or albatross was achieved with a three wood from the tee on to the green and curling down the slope into the hole. Close behind in round one were Jamie Aitken (Alloa) on 68 and another local favourite Ross Benvie with a 69.
With the top players fading slightly in round two, it was Lawrence who grasped the opportunity with a well-compiled 65, containing five birdies plus an eagle at the 296 yard uphill ninth.
Another Scott - Scott Wilson (Braehead) - holed his 8 iron tee shot at the par three 6th--- the ball checking 5 ft from the hole and again rolling sideways into the hole, producing a spectator roar heard all around the golf course.
In presenting the prizes and congratulating the new champion, county president George Kay complimented the golf club and reminded the company that Lawrence Allan senior won the county championship 33 years ago


FULL SCORES (36 hole totals)


1. Lawrence Allan (Alva) 137 (72, 65)
2. Jamie Aitken (Alloa) 139 (68, 71)
3. Scott Moffat (Braehead) 139 (67, 72)
4. Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 141 (70, 71)
5. Jim Muir (Braehead) 143 (73, 70)

OTHER TOTALS

143 J Maxwell, R G Lyons, R Benvie
145 M Rust
146 P Macleod, M Robertson
147 A Aitken, J McAdam
148 S McIvor, S Horne


In the Handicap section, J McAdam (Tulliallan) on 131 (63, 68) won by four shots from S Kenny (Alva) 135 (72, 63).
In the qualifying competition to select the Clackmannan County Club representative for the Scottish Club Championship to be held at Falkirk Tryst on the 25th September, the Alva team ( Lawrence Allan, Steve McIvor and Michael Robertson) on 281 won by a single shot from the home team Braehead (282) with Tulliallan 285 and Alloa (288) in third and fourth places.
Alva will be making their first appearance in the National Final and will be hoping for success to take them to the European Club final later in the year.
Left to right below: Lawrence Allan, Michael Robertson and Steve McIvor.

 THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF GOLF
One measure of as good golfer is the ability to bounce back from a not so good performance Just recently, Alva’s Lawrence Allan took the Braehead boys Open with a fine round of 66, winning by 7 shots from Grant Murray. He must have been confident on making the trip to Nairn for the Scottish boys' stroke play, but with rounds of 75 and 76 his 7 over par score proved one shot too many to reach the final stages.
His remarkable win in the county championship is more than adequate compensation. In just over a week’s time Lawrence is one of the w0 Scots competing in the British boys' championship at Burnham and Berrow near Bristol. With a world wide field, the standard is sure to be high.


Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart also had a disappointing week in the Seniors Match Play at Monifieth---with a fine 69 in his second round, Bob qualified for the match play in sixth place but lost out in the first round to Iain Stewart (Kilmarnock Barassie) by one hole. Bob quickly bounced back to win the Braehead seniors Open with a fine 69.


Bob is also entered in the British Seniors Amateur event at the Dunluce Links of Royal Portrush Golf Club from August 3 to 5. There are 16 Scots among the 144 entries playing 54 holes with a cut after two rounds. Stretching to over 7000 yards, Royal Portrush is a Harry Colt master piece, and with two holes named “Calamity” and “Purgatory” it sounds a daunting prospect before you have even hit a shot!


COUNTY JUNIORS MAKING THEIR MARK


It is good to see success by County Junior golfers and new names appearing in the Glenbervie Junior Open. Braehead’s Grant Blair took thrd place with a scratch 75 behind two local members and in the 14 and under category, Alloa’s Gregor McEwan took the first handicap spot with a net score of 64.

NOSTALGIC TRIP FOR JOHN
Tillicoultry’s John Gullen marked his 30th anniversary of winning the Scottish boys' stroke play event by playing in the Bellshill Salver last weekend. In 1981 John won a play off for the title after 4 rounds of 74…
Thirty years later his score was ... 74 which gave him a top ten finish..


MACMILLAN CARE BENEFITS FROM THE BONNY BIRDIES


Last week’s efforts of the Bonny Birdies (Liz Stewart, Maggi Davidson, Eileen McLeod and Claire Milne) in playing a four-round golf marathon over Dunblane, Muthill and Schawpark golf courses have been rewarded by generous donations from friends , family and golf supporters. To date the four have raised over £2500 towards Macmillan Cancer Care. Liz is delighted “ We are very grateful to all those who have supported us and all the donations were very much appreciated--- if anyone still wishes to support us, there is still an opportunity either directly to ourselves or via the web site www.justgiving.com/teams/forebonniebirdies which has the added advantage of a tax “top-up” for taxpayers.”