BELHAVEN BEST CAPTS-SECS CHSHIP

KINTORE PAIR'S 69
BEST AT THE
DUKE'S

A Kintore Golf Club pairing have been crowned the first ever Belhaven Best Scottish Captains & Secretaries Champions in a last gasp victory at The Duke’s Course in St Andrews.
The formidable partnership of Stuart Archer – a 9 handicapper – and fellow club official Ali Thomson – playing off 6 – (pictured right) were the only club to break 70 on a day of high scoring on the tough Fife course.
A two-under par 69 gave Kintore a narrow one shot margin to take the national title from runners-up Lochgelly and third placed West Lothian.
In the second last match, Archer and Thompson enjoyed a one under par outward half of 35 and maintained their steady progress with birdies at the 11th, 14th and 17th.
Dropped shots at the 15th and the last might have cost them victory, but there were several fallers at the final hurdle with a few tales of woe at the 18th hole.
The Lochgelly partnership of one handicapper John Aidie and John Brogan (13) set the early pace with a fine round of 70 and led for most of the day, but were pipped into the silver medal place.
West Lothian earned third place by courtesy of a better inward half from Alyth, who also scored 70. On a day when the slick Duke’s Course greens and new bunkering caused havoc with the score cards, only eight clubs recorded scores of par or better, but all players were rewarded with a tasty pint of Belhaven Best at the 19th hole – Scotland’s No.1 ale brand.
Jim Yong, Director of Sales at Belhaven Breweries, was delighted with the first year of the championship:
“Belhaven is proud to support this event and give something back to Scotland’s golf clubs, who account for a large slice of our brand’s success. We had nearly 200 clubs taking part this year and hopefully the championship will grow even further next year.
"The Duke’s Course was a fitting venue for the final and well done to all players who have taken part.”
LEADING TOTALS
69 Kintore.
70 Lochgelly (bih 34), West Lothian (ih 36), Alyth (ih 38).
71 Ban chory, Jedburgh, Burntisland, Braids United.
72 Murcar Links.
73 Castle Heather, Murrayshall, Sheddens Lethamhill, Peebles.
74 Drumoig, Sanquhar.
75 BBT, Lanark, Thornhill Largs.
76 Kinross, Turnhouse, Saxone.
77 Crail, Grange, Nigg Bay, Peterculter.
79 Gifford, Dundas Parks.
80 Dunnikier Park, Eastwood, Newmachar.