Watson wins Argyll and Bute stroke-play with a gutsy performance at a wet and wild Millport.

 

Greg Watson of Dunaverty won his first Argyll and Bute area title on Saturday with a hard-fought, one-shot victory over local favourite and 2015 winner Craig Pirie.

His total of 140 gave him the narrowest of victories after both players had birdied the final hole.  His win was long overdue after a second place finish at Millport in 2006. 

In third place, a further two shots behind,was 2009 winner Cowal’s Chris Carson. In joint 4^th place  was runaway first round leader Calum McKirdy who shot a best of the day 67 in the morning. However, he faltered to a 79 in the afternoon. Tying him  in 4^th place was defending champion Graham Bolton.

 

A field of 36 had assembled after some last minute call-offs with match-play champion David Lamont  being unable to make his tee time due to a punctured tyre.  Scoring was mixed with  winds gusting to 30mph accompanied by driving rain.

 

In the youths event Lewis Brown of Tobermory emerged victorious from Lachlan Reynolds of Rothesay by three shots and Millport recaptured the Team Trophy by two shots from Rothesay and will represent the Area at the National final at Eastwood Golf Club on Sunday, September 24.

 

The Area Executive would like to thank Millport  Golf Club for hosting the event and for the greenkeeping staff preparing the course in very difficult circumstances.”

 

 

 

Graham Bolton

Argyll and Bute

Secretary/Treasurer