HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

WATSON TAKES MATCH PLAY TITLE.

   The sixteen contenders for the 2013 County Match Play title came down to four in the semi-finals last week, and it was Braehead’s Allan Watson who came out on top in the final.  In the semi-finals at Alloa, Watson played Dollar’s Darren Hulston, and with a start of 5 birdies, he stood a comfortable four up---- but Darren fought back reducing the lead to one after 13 holes. Watson replied quickly with a birdie at 14 and with Darren in trouble at the 16th, the match finished.  In the other semi-final, Tillicoultry’s Mike Rust played the County Boys Match play Champion Rikky Alexander ---- the match was a close fought affair. From one down at the turn, Mike pulled back to take the match again on the 16th green.

   The final at Braehead brought seasoned campaigner Rust against the 2012 County Champion Watson, and after a slow start, the match livened up when both shared the 5th in birdie 3’s.  A half in birdie 4’s at the 7th was followed by a huge birdie putt on the 8th from Rust to go 1 up.  Watson fought back and all square with three to go, Watson diced with the out of bounds on 16, taking it with a fine birdie putt. Two halves on 17 and 18gave Watson the title by 1 hole, and he will be looking to defend his stroke play title soon to do the double in 2013.

     SEMI FINALS   Mike Rust (Tillicoultry) beat Rikky Alexander (Braehead) 3/2

                                 Allan Watson (Braehead) beat Darren Hulston (Dollar)  3/2

              FINAL       Watson beat Rust 1 hole.

                           ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY

Dollar’s Scott Borrowman made the cut in the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy, but with increasing scores of 72,73,75 and 77, his nine over par finish was well down the field at 35= placing.

   Local golfer Lawrence Allan (Alva) will join Scott in their bids to finish with a high pacing in the highest level Amateur Event---- the Amateur Championship to be staged in SE England over the Royal Cinque Ports and Princes Golf courses.  There are the extra incentives for competitors in that the winner can get exemptions into many major events---- particularly the Masters.        

          BOYS AREA TEAM    AT PRESTWICK

   The Clackmannan Boys team did not find the hot conditions easy at Prestwick St Cuthbert in the Boys Area Team Championship last weekend, and finished in 15th position out of the sixteen teams--- nevertheless; the four boys enjoyed the course and added to their golfing development.

 FOURSOMES Grant Murray/ Brian Macadam 82; Rikky Alexander/ Ryan Calder 77

 SINGLES.  Murray 77;  Calder 76 ; Alexander 78

  This gave a team total of 390 some way behind the winners Glasgow.  

       LOCAL FIXTURES COMING UP.

  

  15th June--- Open Greensomes--- Alva

  16th June --- Patton Trophy.  (Open Mixed)    Alloa

  19th June -- Carlsberg Senior Open   Tillicoultry.

   County Secretary Tommy Johnson has sent a note round the six local Clubs reminding them of the County Mixed Fours to be held  at Alloa on the 30th June.  In recent years this event has been called off at a late hour due to lack of teams---- hopefully there will be a full representation for the 2013 event.