HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Scott Moffat (centre) receives the championship trophy from county president George Kay (on right). Runner-up David Finlay is on the left.

   TOP QUALITY GOLF IN COUNTY MATCH-PLAY

  The concluding stages of the County Match Play Championship were played last week---- there was some concern about the weather in the final, with rain threatening all evening, but the event was successfully completed.

   In the semi-final matches at Tillicoultry, Alloa’s Jamie Aitken took on the 2011 champion Scott Moffat, and although Jamie squared the match at the 15th, Scott took holes 16 and 17 to take him through to the final.  In the other semi-final, Braehead’s David Findlay looked to be cruising against Darren Hulston when he stood 5 up after 7; Darren fought back with birdies at 8,9 and 10, but could not continue the fight back leaving David the winner on the 16th green

 Semi-final results:
Scott Moffat (Braehead) bt Jamie Aitken (Alloa)  2 and 1.

David Findlay (Braehead) beat Darren Hulston (Dollar) 3 and 2.

    And so to the all Braehead final over Schawpark golf course----the few spectators who braved the poor weather conditions were treated to a high standard final with long driving, accurate approach shots and good putting. Scott started steadily going 2 up after two holes and it was a cushion that helped in the closing stages. Although David reduced the lead to one at the 4th, Scott retaliated immediately by reducing the 508yard par5 fifth hole to a 350 yard drive and a 52 degree wedge shot to ten feet.. Three holes later a monster putt from Scott across the 8th green took the lead to 3. David’s rifled iron to four feet at the 15th, and the putt reduced the lead to 2, but with tree trouble up 16, Scott took the sixteenth and the match by 3 and 2, and so retaining his title.

FINAL
Moffat beat Findlay 3 and 2.

NO JOY AT COWGLEN FOR COUNTY BOYS TEAM.

  In the Scottish Boys Area Team Championship, the Clackmannan quartet of Lawrence Allan (Alva), Rikky Alexander (Braehead), Scott Beattie (Braehead) and Brian Macadam (Alloa) finished down the field in 14th position.  In the morning foursomes, Allan and Macadam teamed up well to produce a one over par 71, but Alexander and Beattie could only manage an 80.   In the afternoon singles with three out of four scores to count, Allan was best at 70, followed by Beattie making his debut for the County, and compiling a good 72.  The others could only manage 81’s to leave the Clackmannan near the bottom of the field (but not last!!), with a total of 374.  A mere four shots better would have given them a respectable top ten placing.

NUMBERS, NUMBERS AND MORE NUMBERS

The top Wee County golfers continue to make their presence felt in the various ranking lists.  In the Boys ranking, Alva’s Lawrence Allan is at 4th position in the Scottish Golf Ranking, and with a Junior Tour event this weekend at Rowallan in Ayrshire, he will be hoping to improve. Lawrence also features in the Men’s ranking at 22, just ahead of Dollar’s Scott Borrowman at 27.   In the World Amateur rankings, Scott Borrowman, takes over as the top County player on 1201 with Lawrence further back on 1364.

 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) is 17 equal in the Senior Order of Merit  In the recent East of Scotland seniors held at Forfar, Bob Stewart and Phil Dempsey both finished well down the field. 

 In the professional game, Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay sits at 19th in the challenge Tour rankings.  Just last weekend, Callum had his best performance for some time when he finished in 9th position and best Scot in the Karnten Golf Open in Austria.  Callum scored 70,70,68,68, and earning himself just under €4000.  Callum’s world ranking in the professional game is 555.

  Callum is entered for the St Omer Open this week in Northern France and next week he will be back in Scotland for the Scottish Hydro Challenge.

                         COUNTY CLUB EVENTS COMING UP

16 June      Open Greensomes   Alva

16th June   Lamert Trophy    Tulliallan

23rd June   Open Greensomes Tillicoultry

23rd June   Sir James Younger Open    Braehead  .