EAST BEAT WEST IN INTER-ALLIANCE ANNUAL MATCH

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS
The 65th Annual match between the East Alliance and the West Alliance was contested at The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. The sun was shining and a strong wind ensured the two 16 man teams had their skills tested to the full in securing valuable points for their teams.
The West secured an early lead in the morning foursomes with 4.5 points to the 3.5 points to the East after a strong rearguard action in obtaining 3.5 points in the final 4 games.

The East however sporting their navy team jerseys andshirts sponsored by Falk and Ross UK had other ideas in the afternoon with the eight Professional games being won by the East 5 points to 3 points. The eight Amateur games also resulted in an East victory of 5.5 points to 2.5 points.

The overall result was a win to the East Alliance with 14 points against the 10 points of the West.

West President Keith Baxter of Buchanan Castle concluded the day by presenting The Uniroyal Trophy to East President George Wither of Lothianburn.

ROSS BELL WINS MIDLAND ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Midland Golfers Alliance held the JTC Kitchens Express Championship over 36 holes at Arbroath Links in Angus. Winner of the Championship was Ross Bell (Downfield, +3) scoring 68, 67 for an excellent 5 under par total of 135, 3 shots ahead of Alistair Webster (P, Edzell).
 Winner of the Handicap was local Lindsay Cargill (Arbroath, 5) with a total of 143. The McQueen Shield, played over 18 holes was won by Bob Redpath (Scotscraig, 5) with a net score of 71.


JTC Kitchen Express Midland Golfers’ Alliance Championship
LEADING SCRATCH TOTALS
135, R. Bell (Downfield, +3)
138, A. Webster ((P, Edzell)
142, G. Brown (AP, Montrose)
146, D. McKay (P, Wellsgreen), G. Finlay (Ballumbie Castle, Scr)
148, A. Lockhart (AP, Ladybank), A. Martin (AP, Dukes), S. McLaren (AP, Crieff)

150, S. Cargill (Arbroath, Scr), G. Mackie (Ladybank, 2), P. Brookes (P, Pitreavie)
LEADING HANDICAP TOTALS
141, R. Bell (Downfield, +3)
143, L. Cargill (Arbraoth, 5)
146, G. Mackie (Ladybank, 2), G. Finlay (Ballumbie Castle, Scr), C. Westland (Alloa, 10)
150, S. Cargill (Arbroath, Scr)

151, R. Bell (Pitlochry, 5)

152 E. Rae (Arbroath, 3), M. Fraser (Dukes, 4)

McQueen Shield
71, R. Redpath (Scotscraig, 5)
74, I. McMurray (Downfield, 10)
75, BIH J. Irwin (Muckhart, 8)

Final meeting of the season, next week.


Charleton Golf Course, Thursday 14th April, 8.30 - 12.30

PAUL LAWRIE NAMED EUROPEAN TOUR GOLFER OF THE MONTH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Paul Lawrie has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for March following his fine victory in the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines.
The one shot triumph at Parador de Malaga Golf – for which he received an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne – was the 42 year old Scot’s sixth European Tour title but his first for over eight years since he claimed The Celtic Manor Wales Open in the summer of 2002.
It was also the second time in his career that Lawrie has won a European Tour Golfer of the Month Award, the first one coming in July 1999 following his memorable Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie. He also won The European Tour Shot of the Year in 2001 for his holed putt from the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green at St Andrews which helped him win the Dunhill Links Championship.
“First and foremost I was thrilled to win in Andalucia as it was great to get back in the winners’ circle on The European Tour,” said Lawrie. “But I was equally delighted with the news I had won the Golfer of the Month Award. It is always gratifying to be recognised for your achievements and this has put the icing on the cake for March for me.”
The judging panel, which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television, also considered several other contenders for the award from a fine month’s golf.
Particularly praised was Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin for his victory in the inaugural Sicilian Open and Englishman David Horsey who held his nerve to beat defending champion Rhys Davies and Jaco Van Zyl to triumph in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.
The panel also recognised the achievement of England’s Kenneth Ferrie who carded the 15th official round of 60 in European Tour history in the third round in Andalucia; and that of Scotland’s Sandy Lyle, who lifted his first title since 1992 when he won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China on the European Senior Tour.
Lawrie is the third monthly winner of the 2011 season, joining Germany’s Martin Kaymer (January) and Luke Donald of England (February). All the monthly winners will be considered for The 2011 European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won jointly by Major Champions Graeme McDowell and Kaymer last season.

ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES LOOKING FOR NEW TEAMS

The Aberdeen Trades and Business Golf Association will be holding their AGM in the Northern Golf Club on Wednesday, April 20  to discuss the forthcoming event.
This year's competition starts on Wednesday, May 11 to Friday, May 13 and from Monday, May 16 to Friday, May 20 with the final once again being played on a Friday night to try and get some more spectators along.
Any new organisation who may be interested in taking part in this double foursomes knock-out match-play tournament should contact the tournament secretary, Tony Robertson (contact details below.
Over the last few years the numbers have dwindled to between 28 and 30 teams. So there's plenty of room for any newcomers or even "old" teams that want to come back into the fold.



Tony Robertson
Open Options
AB Collections and Distribution
Aberdeen
AB12 3TT
Tel: 07593 301565
e-mail: tony.robertson@royalmail.com