HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

CLASSY CLACKMANNAN CLINCH 

PROVAN SALVER TRIUMPH 
 

The Clackmannan county team turned in a classy performance at Tulliallan on Sunday to win the 2014 Provan Salver, the early season inter-county team competition played between Angus, Clackmannan, Fife, and Perth and Kinross.  Although a win was not absolutely essential, the Clackmanann elite squad beat a strong Perth and Kinross side 5-3, and maintained a 100 per cent record through their programme of three ties.

Team captain Darren Hulston was highly delighted with the result.

“It was good to see a number of good performances by team members, especially so early in the golf season. Hopefully the experience gained will take their games forward in the 2014 golf season,” he sid.

Top performances came from Champion of Champions winner Scott Borrowman, who won by one hole and Ross Benvie who was two down with four to play against former Scottish champion Glenn Campbell, but snatched a one-hole win.

Jamie Aitken produced sub-par figures in his match after a football injury which stopped his golf for several weeks.  

Allan Watson and Steven Horne recorded the biggest wins of the day.

Details:

CLACKMANNAN 5, PERTH and KINROSS 3

(Clackmannan names first)

Scott Borrowman (Dollar) bt Danny Young (Craigie Hill) 1 hole

   Steven Horne (Tulliallan) bt Connor Neil (Blairgowrie) 5 and 4

   Ross Benvie (Braehead) bt Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) 1 hole

   Jamie Aitken (Dollar) bt Rory Tinker (Strathmore) 

   3 and 2

  Steve McIvor (Alva) lost to Scott Michie  (Kinross)  5 and 4.

   Allan Watson (Braehead) bt Jason Thomson (Kinross)  4 and 2.

   Gary Chalmers (Dollar) lost to Philip Scott (Auchterarder) 2 holes

   John Maxwell (Tulliallan)  lost to Mark Cameron  (Alyth)  2 and 1.

 SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

 The 2014 Scottish Golf Union area team championship will be played at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club from May 16 to 18.

The golf course is similar in length to the Schawpark course at just over 6,200 yards with a par of 70. 

To qualify for the match-play stages this year there will be eight teams from the entry of 16 progressing after the 36-hole stroke play, which will give Clackmannanshire a better chance of reaching the match-play stages.  

Team captain Darren Hulston is confident.

“Last year Clackmannan narrowly missed out on qualifying, and with broadly the same team as 2013, we are very hopeful," he said.

"The good team spirit, plus the Provan Salver win, should give us considerable confidence playing against the other top area Scottish golfers”    

Teams will play 36 holes on Friday with the top eight qualifying for match play on Saturday, leading to a final on Sunday.

CLACKMANNAN TEAM

  Darren Hulston (Dollar) capt.

  Scott Borrowman  (Dollar)

  Ross Benvie  (Braehead)

. Allan Watson  (Braehead)   

  Steven Horne (Tulliallan)

  Jamie Aitken (Dollar)