NORTH-EAST'S DOUBLE WHAMMY WIN AT MONIFIETH

North-east beat Angus in an inter-district stroke-play team competition at Monifieth on Sunday. It should have been a three-cornered contest but North were unable to field a team of eight players of whom the best seven scores counted. In very windy conditions, North-east won the team trophy with a total of 542 to 549 by Angus. North-east's Gordon Munro also won the individual trophy with a round of 72, having a better inward half than Chris Hutcheon (Monifieth) who also had72. TEAM SCORES NORTH-EAST 542 72 Gordon Munro (Fraserburgh) 75 Scott Robertson (Hazlehead) 76 Darren Watson (Peterhead) 77 Lewis Mutch (Duff House Royal) 79 Donald Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 80 David Morrison (Duff House Royal) 83 Graeme Mitchell (Braemar) 85 Jake Scott (Buckpool) (non-counting) ANGUS 549 72 Chris Hutcheon (Monifieth). 75 Maurice Lindsay (Broughty)              77 Connor Cook (Caird Park) 79 Scott Grant (Downfield) 80 Craig Storrer (Downfield) 83 Steven Cargill (Montrose), Paul Teviotdale (Montreose) NR Dan Lawrence (Ballumbie Castle)

DUNCAN STEWART OFF THE BOIL IN ABU DHABI

Duncan Stewart's recent run of good form came to an end in the first round of the second event on the MENA Tour, the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club today (Monday).
The Grantown-on-Spey man, three times a winner on the PGA Europro Tour over the past two seasons, shot a six-over-par 78 to trail 12 shots behind the first-round leader, 46-year-old Welshman Stephen Dodd.
Other Scots in the field did considerably better than Stewart.
Callum Nicoll, Gavin Dear and Tom Buchanan shot level par 72s.
Greg Nicolson, the Mortonhall tour pro, had a 73.
Last weeks winner of the opening event on the MENA Tour, Zane Scotland, had a 74.
Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) had a 76.

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IN-FORM McBAIN, GRAY SHARE TOMATIN LEAD

Aberdeen's Greg McBain, recent winner of the Paul Lawrie Invitational, is back in the spotlight as joint leader with Stephen Gray (Hayston) at the end of the first round of the £46,000 Tomatin 54-hole pro-am, being played over three links courses - Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Castle Stuart. McBain (Gamola Golf) shot his five-under-par 67 at Nairn where he had seven birdies and two bogeys. Gray played the Royal Dornoch course in three-under 67 with five birdies and two bogeys. They are a shot ahead of Andrew Scrimshaw from the Close House Golf Club near Newcastle. Scrimshaw had six 3s and a 2 on his card at par-70 Royal Dornoch. Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) did well to return a 69 at Nairn, considering he had a triple bogey 7 at the third. Also at Nairn senior campaigner Peter Smith (Deeside) had an eagle 3 at the 18th in his 71. FIRST ROUND LEADERS 67 Greg McBain (Gamola Golf), Stephen Gray (Hayston). 68 Andrew Scrimshaw (Close House). 69 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Neil Fenwick (Dunbar). 70 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Paul Wardell (Whitecraigs), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Philip Waugh (Close House). 71 Peter Smith (Deeside), Jonathan Lomas (unatt) 72 Murray Urquhart (Spey Valley), Jonathan Lupton (Close House), Alan Tait (Marriott Dalmahoy) 73 Malcolm (Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre), Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links), Graham Brown (Montrose), Gary Dingwall (Royal Dornoch), Stuart Morrison (Tain), Gordon Stewart (Cawder), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Scott Henderson (Kings Links). 74 Alan Reid (West Lothian), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Gary Forbes (Aboyne), Andrew Crerar (Panmure), Mark King (Kingsfield), Gary Murphy (Laytown and Bettystown). 75 Ken Strachan (Golf d'Hardelot), David Orr (Mearns Castle), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Kenny Hutton (Downfield), Jody Rostock (Carnegie Club), . 76 David Patrick (Elie SC), Jonathan Cliff (Murrayfield), Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald Links), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Richard Reed (Notts), Michael Bradley (Notts) 77 Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre), Craig Everett (Caldwell), Craig Ronald (Carluke), Stuart Kerr (Strathaven). 78 Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy), Chris Currie (Caldwell), Fraser Cromarty (Castle Stuart), James McKinnon (Irvine), Matthew Hazelden (Cottesmore). 79 Stephen McAllister (Renaissance Club), Tom Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar), Chris Campbell (Trump International).

WILTSHIRE RETAIN ENGLISH MEN'S COUNTY TITLE

Issued 1st October, 2012 Wiltshire keep County crown by narrowest of margins Wiltshire successfully defended the English Men’s County Championship when they tied with Lancashire on a dramatic final day at Beau Desert in Staffordshire yesterday. Both counties finished with the same match points but Wiltshire took the title again on games won by the narrowest of margins, 18 to 17 (image © Tom Ward). In the third place match, Suffolk overcame Worcestershire 6-3 to leave the Midland champions with the wooden spoon. After the day’s format had been switched with the singles being played in the morning because of an adverse weather forecast, the final hour before lunch proved to be the turning point between the title contenders. At that stage it seemed that Lancashire were in control but the closing stages of the singles saw the match swing Wiltshire’s way as they gained a crucial one point lead, which left Lancashire needing 2.5 points from the three foursomes, a difficult assignment indeed. As it turned out they secured two wins which meant the Northern champions came up short. Wiltshire captain David Bauer acknowledged that when he said: “This is an incredible achievement for such a small county as Wiltshire. To win once, as we did last year, was superb but to defend the title is the stuff of dreams,” he admitted. “We were quietly confident when we arrived this week but at 12.30 today was the only time I didn’t think we would win. But somehow we turned the match around thanks to Garry Slade winning on the final green and Robbie Busher coming back from 5-down to gain a half. “That half proved crucial and these two lads were the rookies in the team. Garry won all his singles while Robbie was unbeaten in his. All this proves that Wiltshire is producing some incredible talent.” Lancashire’s Bill Bromilow, in his last match as county captain, was magnanimous in defeat. “The better team won,” he said. “They out-putted us. We gave them a scare this morning but they turned it around in the last few holes which left us needing two-and-a-half points from the foursomes which is difficult to achieve. “We came here hopeful but that last hour this morning turned it. There were four quality teams here but Wiltshire deserved their victory.” Having seen their grip taken away in that vital hour before lunch, the Lancastrians knew they faced an uphill task in the foursomes but Mark Young and Paul Kinnear kept their hopes alive with a 5 and 4 win over Ben Loughrey and Busher. However, they knew the battle was over when Ali James and Josh Loughrey gave Wiltshire the vital point when they ran out 4 and 2 winners over John Carroll and Jon Hurst in the top game. The final game went to Lancashire’s Paul Howard and Sean Towndrow over Slade and Jordan Smith. Suffolk also took a one point lead into the foursomes after Josh Cottrell, who had been 4-down at one stage, gained a crucial half on the final green against Rudy Hercik. That gave them a fillip for the foursomes from which they emerged with two wins and a half. Cottrell and Patrick Spraggs were ahead early on against Chris Heeley and Richard Sadler but found themselves 2-down after 11 holes. But birdies at the 12th and 15th saw them all square and they also won the 16th and 17th for a 2 and 1 win. Chris Soanes and Ben Wallis ensured Suffolk’s victory when they led almost throughout against Josh Carpenter and Henry James before running up a 3 and 2 scoreline. It looked as if Worcestershire would win the other contest when Hercik and Steven Lane came to the 18th 1-up. But they four-putted to open the door and Suffolk’s Jack Cardy and Nathan Overton seized their chance to gain a half. Lynne Fraser, Marketing and PR Manager Email: pr@englandgolf.org Tel: 01526 354500

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NORTH ALLIANCE DATES AND VENUES

FROM ROBIN WILSON

Keep your competitive swing in shape through the Winter months is the message from the group of clubs forming the North Golf Alliance as their season gets into action this weekend at Durness.

From halcyon seasons when upwards of ninety turned up on a regular bases to play in their fixtures the attendance has been declining to an extent that the twice visits to the courses on the rota have been reduced to only one and entry fees have been maintained at last season's level.

From past association with the fixtures they have always been regarded as an excellent way to retain familiarisation with the venues so that when the Summer fixtures do come around the ground work was done and richer rewards can be won. The recommendation is do a bit travelling this Winter and be prepared for next season's open tournaments beginning at Durness on Sunday where a warm welcome is always received. Tee Times for the Durness fixture should be booked with the Durness Club Secretary, Lucy Mackay on Telephone No. 01971 511364

After a small membership fee of £4 the entry fee into each fixture is £8 with exception of the Royal Dornoch fixture where it is £13. The dates and venues for the Alliance season is: Sunday October 7 Durness: Sunday October 21 Thurso: Sunday November 4 Royal Dornoch: Sunday November 18 Tain: December 2 Golspie: Sunday December 16 Brora Teams: January 20 Reay: February 3 Brora: February 17 Invergordon: March 3 Tarbat: March 17 Wick.

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

NO JOY FOR DOLLAR AT ARBROATH

Sixteen golf clubs representing each of the areas in the Scottish Golf Union competed at Arbroath over 36 holes for the Scottish Club Championship with the winning club going forward to the European final to be held in Cyprus later this year. 
Each club was represented by three players - best two scores to count in each round, and Clackmannan were represented by Dollar Golf Club.   
Counting scores in the very windy conditions were 77 and 80 from Darren Hulston and 80 and 72 from Scott Borrowman. Their total of 309 left them in 9th place, a bit behind the winners Blairgowrie on 285.

ALAN GLASS IN PRIZELIST

In the latest Midland Alliance event, Alloa’s Alan Glass rolled back the years to take the third handicap place with a net 70, while Braehead professional Jamie Stevenson finished in sixth position with a scratch 73.

 AND FINALLY

The thrilling Ryder Cup win by the European team in America may have reminded some locals that a Ryder Cup player of the 1970’s learned his golf over the slopes of Alva golf course.
That player was Norman Wood who played in the 1975 Ryder Cup held at Ligonier golf club in America. While in 2012, the European team won a narrow victory, the British team at that time lost heavily by 21 matches to 11. 
Although Norman lost his foursomes and a four-ball, he scored a notable win against Lee Trevino in his singles, winning by 2 and 1.  
Norman took up a golf professional post in Guernsey, and played on the Senior tour.