HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Making his first appearance in the European Boys Team tournament held near Stockholm, Alva’s Lawrence Allan made a highly satisfactory debut in the event showing he can bring good golf to a prestigious event.  Sixteen of the best golfing nations in Europe compete over a gruelling 5 days for the title of European Boys Team Champions---- the event starts with 2 rounds of stroke play to determine the two groupings of eight teams.   Lawrence returned scores of 74 and 75 over the difficult course, and with 5 scores out of 6 to count it looked like Scotland would be in the second flight…. However with a Spanish team member carrying 15 Clubs instead of the regulation 14, the Scottish team took their place in the top flight of 8 and the first match was against Italy playing foursomes and singles.  Paired with Craig Howie gave Lawrence his first win by 4/3---- in the afternoon singles luckily he didn’t play and the Scots lost heavily in the singles to give Italy victory by 4 – 2 with one half.  Two further matches were unfortunately lost ----- down 3-2 to both Ireland and Norway .However Lawrence had a convincing win in his Irish match….. 5 up after 9 and winning 6 and 4.  Against his Norwegian opponent he found himself 2 down after 9 but fought back only to lose on the last hole.  The Scottish Boys finished in 8th position..

Altogether one of the best performances from the squad of six and one which should assure him of a place in the Scottish Boys Home International team to play in Ireland next month.  It should also give him some confidence for the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship to be held at Cardross next week.

  WELL DONE LAWRENCE!!

                  CLACKMANNAN GOLFERS OUT AND ABOUT

  In the Sutherland Chalice, a 72 hole Scottish Golf Union Order of merit event, Dollar’s Scott Borrowman finished 10th with rounds of  71,66,72,73.  Alloa’s Jamie Aitken missed the cut with rounds of 77, 77.    Scott will be hoping to keep up the good work at the Newlands Trophy 72 hole event at Lanark this weekend.

   In the Scottish Seniors Match Play Championship at West Kilbride, Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart qualified easily with rounds of 75 and 77 then won his first round against  George Blair by two holes  Bob unfortunately lost in the second round at the 20th to David Gardner the eventual winner.        .

 In The Scottish Under 16’s Championship held at Strathaven last week, Alloa’s Brian McAdam  making his first appearance in a National event couldn’t quite find some golf form, but the experience probably helped his game and maybe even his language skills as he was drawn with two Europeans—one French, the other Swiss.

   In the Highland Spring Junior Masters at Auchterarder, the only Clackmannanshire player was Cameron McGorgray (Tillicoultry), and he finished with 30 points--- 7 points away from the top 16 qualifying for the final at Gleneagles.

   On the professional side, Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay made the cut in the Credit Suisse event, finishing second best Scot at 36 equal with rounds of 69,71,72,72. His current ranking is 32  and his next Challenge Tour event is the Double Tree by Hilton at the Acaya Golf resort  Puglia in Italy…. hopefully a good finish will move him back up towards the top twenty.

   

                                          LOCAL GOLF FIXTURES.

  The weather is playing havoc with golf fixtures causing events to be cancelled and re-scheduled.

 Saturday 21st July       County Championship        Dollar

 Tuesday 24th July       Senior Open                         Alloa