HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

CRAIGMILLAR SUITS THE COUNTY CAPTAIN

In the first Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit golf event, only Clackmannan County captain Darren Hulston (Dollar) made it to the last day's play.  

With rounds of 72 and 67, he made the cut by one shot, but after the event was shortened to 54 holes due to rain, he finished with a 76.   After a promising start, both  Scott Borrowman (Dollar)  (70 and 72), and Jamie Aitken (Alloa) (70 and 79) missed the cut at 140.

The next Order of Merit event is the Battle Trophy at Crail this coming weekend and both Scott and Darren will be competing in the 72-strong entry.

END OF SEASON FOR MIDLAND ALLIANCE

With the final event of the season played at The Duke's last week, the Midland Alliance season closes till August.    

Although there was no success at The Duke’s for local players, it was top senior golfer Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) who finished best in the Order of Merit.  

Bob scored 320 pts, putting him in third position behind the winner, Gary Tough with 955. Next best was Alloa’s Chris Westland in 18th position with 160 points.

The long-serving Midland Alliance secretary Eddie Sherry is retiring and is to be honoured at Scotscraig on April 26 with a dinner for Midland Alliance members.

 IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR THE SPRING MEETINGS

As mentioned earlier, the Clackmannan county spring meetings will be held at Alloa and Braehead.

There are over 70 entries in the Division 1 meeting at Alloa and over 60 at Division 2 at Braehead.   

With the weather warming up slightly and courses slowly improving, there is still time to make late entries for both divisions, even on the day.

Other local golf events coming up soon are:
Sunday, April 21 - Belhaven Trophy (Alva).
The Clackmannan county boys' championship has been moved to May, and again there are plenty of spaces available on the entry forms.

 SCOTTISH LADIES' MATCH-PLAY FOURSOMES

Only two local Clackmannan clubs are participating in the 2013 SLGA match-play foursomes.

Clubs are drawn initially against nearby local clubs, and Braehead will play Tillicoultry in the second round.

  AND FINALLy

Anyone who watched the Masters event must have been highly impressed by the efforts of the 14 year old Chinese boy, Tianlang Guan.   

Over the four rounds he averaged 75, and giving Augusta an estimated scratch score of 77, that means he played to a plus 2 handicap averaged over the four rounds.   

 Apart from his outstanding golf, his interviews were mature and thoughtful, and it was also interesting to see that education was his top priority.

A great role model for Junior golfers.