Clackmannan County News from Hugh Hunter

Bob Stewart has his

(senior) moments

for Scotland in Euro

team championship

Hugh Hunter is off on his travels again to the Far East. He has sent the following from an Internet cafe.

TOP PERFORMANCE FROM BOB STEWART

Following the success of Callum Macaulay and Scott Borrowman recently, it was over to Tulliallan's Bob Stewart (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) who put in a good performance last week when he represented Scotland in the European seniors team championship over the par 72 Shannon Golf Club course in Ireland.

With all the top European Golfing nations represented, the title is decided by 36 hole stroke play qualifying, and the results allocate the teams to the different flights. The top flight has only four teams competing for the title, so competition was tough to reach the top four.

Bob's contribution of a first round 78 and a second round of 74 ensured that Scotland made it to the top flight.

Ireland led the field with a team total of 29 over par; Scotland and England tied at 36 over par in second equal place. In the match play section, an automatic draw meant that Scotland played England and the Scots were victorious by 3 matches to 2 (the match is played as one foursome and 4 singles).

Bob was in the anchorman position at the tail end and his one hole victory over Gordon Broster ensured that Scotland went through to the final to play Ireland.

The final was completely one sided with the Scots going down by 4 matches to 0 with only one halved match as a crumb of comfort.

Bob could not maitain his golfing form and went down by 4 and 3 to Liam Macnamara. This left Ireland as the victors for 2008--- they also won the men's event in July--- and the Scottish team had to be content with the runner up spot again as they did in 2007.

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THE COUNTY

With the announcement of the Scottish team to play at Muirfield in the Home Internationals, local golfers received good news. Naturally, Scottish amateur champion and Scottish No 1 Callum Macaulay was a certainty, but it was pleasing to see Dollar's Scott Borrowman named as first reserve.

It should give a sense of pride locally that Clackmannanshire with six clubs has two golfers in the squad whereas Lothians, the biggest golfing area in Scotland with around 200 clubs, has none.

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

Callum Macaulay did not feature in this event because he is off to Denmark to play in the European individual champioship.

However, Scott Borrowman played at Newburgh on Ythan , making the cut on 150 (75-75).

His final two rounds of 75 and 72 gave him an aggregate of 297 in 18th place but well behind the local winner James Byrne (Banchory) who scored 11-under-par 277.