IAN BROTHERSTON WINS SENIOR MATCH-PLAY AT FIRST ATTEMPT

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Ian Brotherston marked his debut in the Scottish senior men's open amateur match-play golf championship by winning the title at the end of the week-long competition over the Monifieth Links.
A Scotland international in 1984-85 and still playing off +2 of a handicap, Brotherston, pictured, a member of Dumfries and County Golf Club, beat another past Scotland cap and former seniors champion, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) by 3 and 2 in a sporting final.
Brotherston, who is 55 years old, has played with success in Scottish Senior Golfing Society events which permit Under-55 players but the match-play championship adheres to the 55 and over age stipulation.
MacDonald is 63 and plays off two.
Brotherston got off to a flyer with a birdie at the first and he was three up after only four holes. But MacDonald settled to square the contest after 10 holes.
But Brotherston was never behind throughout the match and he made a decisive move towards the title by winning the 13th and 14th to regain a two-hole lead, clinching victory at the 16th.
In the morning semi-finals, Brotherston beat former Walker Cup player Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) by 3 and 1, and Gordon MacDonald beat the No 2 seed, Fraser McCluskey (Royal Burgess), by one hole.
Brotherston qualified 20th of 32 after a moderate first round of 81 followed by a 72. Gordon MacDonald was the No 3 seed.

SCOTTISH SENIOR MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Monifieth Links
Semi-finals
Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County) bt Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline 3 and 1.
Gordon MacDonald (Callander) bt Fraser McCluskey (Royal Burgess) 1 hole.
Final
Brotherston bt Gordon MacDonald 3 and 2.