HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

2011 COUNTY JUNIOR LEAGUE—UPDATE

The 2011 Clackmannan County Junior Golf League has been a headache for Sam Kinnaird the County Junior Convenor who commented---- “With Tulliallan and Dollar not participating, it has been left to the remaining four Clubs to keep the League going. Matches at present are played on a handicap basis, but even with that, some Clubs are struggling to field a team.
"Results are almost finalised but at present Alva boys(the holders) lead from Braehead on games for and against with Alloa and Tillicoultry occupying 3rd and 4th places. With an Under 16 triangular match for the Frank Thomson trophy, there is considerable worry over the County team--- hopefully local golf Clubs will be making big efforts to encourage their junior golfers”

COUNTY GOLFERS GO SOUTH EAST

The first two rounds of the South East District Championship at Musselburgh were cancelled because of rain, shortening the event to 36 holes. It was good to see three locals competing--- Jamie Aitken (Alloa) finished well up the field in 15th place on 144 (74,74) ( and incidentally finishing ahead of some top Scottish players including current Internationalists)) with Scott Borrowman (Dollar) slightly further back on 152 (80,72) and Alva’s Lawrence Allan on 154 (75,79).
Lawrence Allan continues to progress—his world ranking has improved by a massive 499 places to 1779……his best ever ranking….. Thanks to his good performance in the North District Championship, he is now some distance above Scott Borrowman’s ranking of 2091.
Clackmannan County could do with a few more golfers making their way into the World rankings
It's also good to report another honour for Lawrence and Alva Golf Club—he has been made Team captain for the Scottish Schools Boys team to play England at Kilmarnock Barassie on the 12th September.

CRUNCH DAY FOR BOB
As mentioned last week, Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart has regained the number one spot in the 2011 Senior Rankings ( and he has now been confirmed for the Senior Home Internationals). With 562.5 points, he is 29 ahead of his nearest rival Gordon Macdonald on 533.75 points.
The final showdown will be at Blairgowrie next week in the Order of Merit Finals when they play together. Bob has done his arithmetic--- clearly if he beats Gordon, there is no doubting the number one for 2011. However, if Gordon wins (125 points) at Blairgowrie then Bob has to finish second (100 points) – and of course other golfers may affect the result.
Best of luck Bob!!

DISAPPOINTMENT AT GLENEAGLES

Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay received a late call up to play in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last week, a European Tour event, but unfortunately he  just missed the 36hole cut, causing some disappointment to his supporters who followed him round.
Next week it's back to the Challenge Tour and a long trip to the Kazakhstan Open (a European event in Asia!!). With nine other Scots, Callum will be hoping for a share (preferably the biggest one) of the 400,000 euro prize fund.