HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

                                           SO CLOSE FOR CALLUM

   Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay just missed out on a place in the Challenge Tour’s Grand Final for places in the 2012 European Tour.  At the start of the Rome Open, Callum knew exactly what he had to do…. finish 3^rd or better to give winnings of about £10,000 and ensure a ranking in the top 45.  His strategy of attack paid off at his very par score of 66.  Rounds of 68, 72 and 69 followed to give him a 9 under par total (equalling his best total of 2011) and 5^th place on his own. Only two shots behind the winner….. but unfortunately this wasn’t enough and he finished about £2000 short and a 49^th place in the rankings.  His Challenge tour place is assured for next season, but it’s a visit to the Qualifying school in December to try and regain a category on the European Tour.  Even missing out at Rome, he must be pleased with his performance which shows quite clearly he has the golf game to compete at the highest level.

                                         MIDLAND ALLIANCE

  The Midland Alliance is well into its 2011-2012 season and in the latest event over the  Downfield course in Dundee, local golfers were out of the prize lists.  Best Scratch scores of 76 came from Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and Braehead professional Jamie Stevenson. In the handicap section Alloa’s Chris Westland finished in 4^th place with a net 74. In the Amateur prize lists, Chris Westland leads County golfers with a 5^th placing---- Alloa’s Ray Barton and Hugh Hunter are tied with Bob Stewart in 14^th equal place. In the professional prize lists, Jamie Stevenson lies in second place.

                        JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.

  Alva’s Lawrence Allan has his last chance of 2011 to make a big impact on the Junior golf scene at the Duke’s course St Andrews this weekend.  The double Junior and Match play Champion will represent Clackmannanshire in a field of 60  ( 42 boys, 18 girls)… all of them have won Championships at Junior level.  Lawrence is first off at 9.00 am on Sunday.

                                   ………AND FINALLY.

     Golf of course is all about numbers and working out some sort of achievement, and Alloa’s Michael Niven is right there.  With a long and successful golfing career stretching back to the 1950’s, he still managed a new achievement last week----- that elusive number that equals or beats your age.  In a competition at Pitlochry, Michael did just that scoring a remarkable age equalling 70 less his handicap of six to give a net 64 and ensure that his handicap is at a lower level than one year ago.  Hope for us all…. Well done Michael!   .