SuperMac wins Scottish Seniors Match-play

 By GORDON THOMSON

Gordon MacDonald (Glenbervie) added to his impressive collection of titles with a fine win in the Scottish senior amateur match-play championship at Stirling Golf Club, beating

Muir Townsley (Dumfries and County) by one hole in a close and absorbing final.

In the morning’s semi-final, MacDonald, pictured left, beat the formidable John Fraser (Royal Burgess) by 4 and 3 with an impressive 3 under par performance. Townsley started impressively against Laurie Chancellor (Inverness) ,who unfortunately had to retire after seven holes due to a back injury, at which point Townsley  was three up.

After a long and gruelling week neither finalist played quite as well in the final. Townsley won the sixth and seventh holes to go two up before MacDonald won the ninth to turn one down. MacDonald then had to hole a tricky 8 foot putt on the tenth to avoid going two down, which gave him some encouragement and he then levelled the match by winning the 12th hole. 
Townsley went one up again by winning the15th but, immediately and perhaps fatally, surrendered his advantage with a poor tee shot at the next hole.

Sensing his chance on a course of which he was at one time a member, MacDonald then hit two fine shots just short of the last green and made birdie to go ahead for the first time in the match. 

This was one title which had previously eluded him although he was runner-up to Townsley’s clubmate, Ian Brotherston in 2011.

In the Super Seniors final, Jim Kinloch (Cardross), pictured right by Steve Ellis, drew on his superb short game skills to beat David Millar (St Andrews New) by 4 and 3.
Millar was the losing finalist for the second year in successio by 4 and 3. Jim had qualified in last place but gradually eased his way into contention to become a worthy winner.

RESULTS
SCOTTISH SENIOR AMATEUR MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Stirling Golf Club

 Semi-finals 

Gordon Macdonald (Glenbervie) bt John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 4 and 3.

Muir Townsley (Dumfries and Co) bt Laurie Chancellor (Inverness),  retired due to injury

 Final 

 Macdonald bt Townsley 1 hole

SUPER SENIORS

Final

Jim Kinloch (Cardross ) bt David Millar (St Andrews New) 4 and 3.