Graham Bolton wins Argyll and Bute title for 

record ninth time by beating Craig Pirie

                    Finalists Graham Bolton and Craig Pirie

Graham Bolton of Bute Golf Club won the Argyll and Bute match-play title for a record ninth time on Sunday with a 2 and 1 victory over Millport's Craig Pirie in the 18-hole final at windswept Machrihanish Dunes.
In a seesaw battle Bolton got off to a flyer to go three up after five holes. He increased his lead to four going to the ninth tee -- but Pirie battled back strongly to reduce the deficit to one with three holes remaining. 
Bolton responded to edge further ahead with a  birdie at the par-five 16th and went on to take the title with par at the next hole.
Strong south-easterly winds, which made playing conditionas difficult, greeted the 16 competitors who gathered at the Dunes for the opening rounds of the championship on Saturday morning 
Bolton earned his place in the final with victories over Mark Donaldson (Millport), John Jack (Millport), and George Reynolds (Rothesay). Craig Pirie's route to the final was via wins over Jack Reynolds (Rothesay), Les Pirie (Millport), and Michael Murty (Rothesay).
Bolton was not the only winner over the weekend as the Dunes course provided a great match-play venue with its undulating greens creating many challenges for the players.

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Golf Union said: "We thank Machrihanish Dunes for hosting the event and, in particular, head greenkeeper Simon Freeman and assistant Malcolm Mitchell for preparing a course in first-class condition

 

RESULTS

FIRST ROUND

Graham Bolton bt Mark Donaldson 6 and 4

John Jack bt Allan McKie 4 and 2

George Reynolds bt John Jack jun. 4 and 2

Calum McKirdy bt Thomas McCready 9 and 7

Donald Standaloft bt Niall Gallagher 1 hole

Michael Murty bt Ryan McKirdy 2 and 1

Les Pirie bt Malcolm Brown 3 and 2

Craig Pirie bt Jack Reynolds 6 and 5

QUARTER-FINALS

Bolton bt Jack 1 hole

Reynolds bt McKirdy 6 and 5

Murty bt Standaloft 5 and 3

Craig Pirie bt Les Pirie 1 hole

 

SEMI-FINALS

Bolton bt Reynolds 3 and 2

Pirie bt Murty retired

 

FINAL

Bolton bt Pirie 2 and 1

 

 

Graham Bolton

Secretary/Treasurer

ABGU