Malcolm Reid defends Scottish seniors' match-play title at Stirling next week

By GORDON THOMSON

Malcolm Reid (Sonning) defends the SSGS’s flagship Matchplay Championship, sponsored by McCrea Financial Services, which gets underway on Monday at Stirling Golf Club.

 The top 32 players progress to the knock-out stages after the qualifying rounds on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July running through to the final on Friday afternoon.

With the under-55 players ineligible for this event, the focus for the leading players is on building their claims for international team selection as well as the championship which will be closely contested. 

Among former winners taking part are Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County), David Gardner (Broomieknowe) and Jim Watt (Edzell). 

Serious challenges can also be expected from the in-form Lindsay Blair ( Grangemouth),  Bob Stewart (Tulliallan), John Fraser (Royal Burgess), and last year’s runner-up, Stewart Millar (Cochrane Castle).

A separate event for Super Seniors, aged 65 and over, will run in conjunction with the main event and Keith Howie (West Kilbride) is defending that title. Eight players progress from the qualifying rounds.

If you fancy a break from watching the Open why not come along and watch the country’s top senior amateur players in action.