HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Braehead Golf Club's winning Alexander Trophy team. Front row (left to right): Ross Benvie (team captain), Allan Watson. Back row - Jim Muir and Rikky Alexander.

      BRAEHEAD TRIUMPH IN ALEXANDER TROPHY

  On their home course, the Braehead team of Ross Benvie, Allan Watson, Jim Muir and Rikky Alexander won by a comfortable six shots in the annual tournament for the Alexander Trophy.   The best three scratch scores from four out of each of the eleven teams from Stirling and Clackmannan decide the trophy which will hold its centenary in 2014.  Braehead captain Ross Benvie led by example with a well compiled 68, and he was ably backed up by the other team members. 

    FULL RESULTS.  (Best 3 from 4 scores to count)

1.  212   Braehead   (R Benvie 68, J Muir 75, A Watson 71, R Alexander 73)

2.  218   Falkirk (S Haddow 72, R Campbell 68, R Garrett 78, C Cox 80)

3.  220   Alva

4.  222   Glenbervie

5.  223   Alloa, Falkirk Tryst

6.  226   Grangemouth

7.  229   Stirling Junior and Youth Society

8.  239   Bonnybridge

9.  245   Tillicoultry

10 249   Tulliallan.

                            COUNTY LEAGUE UNDERWAY

  It’s been a headache for the organisers in recent years, but the 2013 County League seems to be taking shape with all the Clubs participating in 6 a side matches  With two matches completed, Alloa are in the  lead with two wins,  followed by 4 Clubs with one win each  ( Braehead, Dollar, Tulliallan Alva).  Three further matches are scheduled for each Club to decide the winner.

   The Boys League is proving more difficult and it seems like only a few Clubs will be able to par5ticipate on a handicap basis.

                      NO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SPOT FOR LOCALS

  Scott Borrowman (Dollar) and Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan) competed in the 36 hole Open Championship Final Qualifying last week.    It was a tough assignment---- four venues with 72 golfers competing at each for only 3 places.  Neither of the locals could find the brilliant form needed……  Scott played at Musselburgh and returned scores of 73,73 --- four over par and the qualifying was 6 under.  At North Berwick, Callum was eight over with scores of 74 and 76 where the qualifying was 5 under par.

 Scott has a busy time ahead--- he has been selected to represent Scotland in both the European Team Championships in Denmark this week and the European Individual Championship in Spain at the beginning of August.

  Meanwhile Callum has an invitation to play in the Scottish Open this week at Castle Stuart, so hopefully he will find some good golfing form.

               COUNTY GOLFERS AT THE SCOTTISH AMATEUR.

    It’s pleasing to see a good number of local golfers having a go at the Scottish Amateur to be played at Blairgowrie at the end of the month.  Five locals representing four local golf Clubs are in the field of 256 in the premier match play event in Scotland.

  Three players play on Monday 29th July--- James Aitken (Alloa) plays H Ireland ( St Andrews New at 9.37;  Scott Borrowman plays J Whitelaw ( Hollandbush) at 11.09; Lawrence Allan (Alva) plays A Carrick ( Douglas Park) at 15.41.

  On Tuesday 30th, Darren Hulston (Dollar) plays C. Stewart (Murcar) at 9.13 and Allan Watson (Braehead) Plays E. Ferguson (Bearsden)

   Callum Macaulay of course was Scottish Amateur Champion in 2008 at Carnoustie.

                                BRAEHEAD LADIES MARCH ON.

  The Clackmannanshire flag is flying on the Ladies side as well ….. Braehead Ladies beat Falkirk Tryst in an away match by one hole to reach the last sixteen of the Scottish Ladies Inter Club Foursomes event. They now play Ladybank in another away match for a place in the quarter finals.    Best of luck!!

                                         GOLFING SNIPPETS

    Top County Senior golfer Bob Stewart ( Tulliallan0 who is also a member at Glenbervie played former Alloa member Allan Liddle in the final of the Glenbervie Senior Club Championship---- Bob triumphed by 2/1.  Bob plays in the Scottish Seniors Match play event at Alyth starting on the 15th July.

   Tulliallan’s Phil Dempsey had a runner up spot in the West of Scotland Seniors event at Cardross with rounds of 73 and 74.

   On the junior side, Brian McAdam (Alloa) took the top scratch prizes at both the Crow Wood and Muckhart Junior Opens.

                           COUNTY EVENTS COMING UP

 Saturday 13th July    Invitation (Dollar); Purkis Trophy (Alloa)

 Sunday 14th July      Macaulay Cup 4 Ball Open (Tulliallan)   Weir Trophy (Alloa).

With the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and the Open at Muirfield, there may still be locals who have an inclination to take up golf at a local Club, and with half the golf season completed, there may be tempting membership deals for the rest of the year. Anyone interested should enquire at a local golf Club or contact a local golf Club member.