LEE JENKINS WINS RAIN-HIT RENFREWSHIRE STROKE-PLAY CH/SHIP

Lee Jenkins (Elderslie) is the new Renfrewshire Golf Union stroke-play champion.
He beat Derek Anderson (Cochrane Castle ) in a play-off.

RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE
Renfrewshire Golf Union’s stroke play championship got off to a good start at Gourock Golf Club with the early morning competitors enjoying reasonably good conditions. This was not to last and by mid morning a heavy shower of rain soaked both the course and the competitors in the large field.
While play continued, a second extremely heavy shower in the early afternoon forced a postponement of play and, once the green staff had restored the course to a playable condition, a decision was made to reduce the competition from 36 to 27 holes to ensure that the event could be finished in daylight.
Despite the weather, the first round scores included three sub-par results. Alan Kelly of Cochrane Castle shot a great 71 and both Derek Anderson (also Cochrane Castle) and Whinhill’s Jamie Alexander handed in cards for 72. Level par rounds of 73 were recorded by Craig Watson of East Renfrewshire and Ross Campbell of Gourock.
The second shortened round was affected by the weather but Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm), who was looking for his third championship win in the competition, had a one under par round of 35 which, together with his morning 74, gave him a total of 109 and a target for the rest of the field.
He was joined at that figure by Gregor Munro of Ranfurly Castle but it was to be a share of third place for them. First, Derek Anderson rose to the challenge with 36 for a total of 108 and he was joined on that mark by Lee Jenkins of Elderslie with a nine hole total of 34.
The rules of the competition require a play off over four holes of stroke play followed, if necessary, by “sudden death”. Derek and Lee had equal scores over the four holes and a further three holes were halved before, in a fading light, Derek hit his drive into the left hand trees and failed to find the ball in the permitted time. He completed the hole but Lee sank a putt to ensure that he is Renfrewshire Golf Union’s Stroke Play Champion.