HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

LAWRENCE HAS COME LONG WAY IN ONE YEAR

One year after leaving boys golf, Alva’s Lawrence Allan took a major step forward in the men’s game when he shared the runner up spot in the 72 hole Leven Gold medal last weekend.  After the first two rounds, Allan with rounds of 69 and 70 lay three shots behind the local favourite Brian Souter; in round three in difficult conditions, he slipped to a 77, and was probably a bit surprised to find himself still in contention, lying three shots behind. In the final round Allan scorched to the turn in 32, helped by an eagle two at the second where he drove the green and holed an 8 ft putt.  His inward nine of 40 just missed out by one shot and he had to be content with a silver medal in the event which is documented as the oldest Amateur golf competition in the world.  The Leven Links course has been a happy hunting ground for Wee County golfers--- Sandy Horne and Michael Niven have both won the Champion of Champions just a bit more than a few years ago, and last year Scott Borrowman took the third place in the Golf medal following it up with a win in this year’s Champion of Champions.

  Alloa’s Jamie Aitken and Braehead’s Allan Watson also played at Leven but missed the 36 hole cut

     Well done to Lawrence who can definitely take back a bit of confidence when he returns to his USA College next week.

  FINAL RSULTS    1, 287 (+3) Brian Souter    2, 288 (+4) James White, Lawrence Allan (69, 70, 77, 72)

                           …   AND BOB IS AMONG THE TOP SENIORS

   Top County senior golfer Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) had a good finish in the R&A Seniors Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen last week.  In the 3 round event usually dominated by Americans, Bob finished second equal of the four Scots with an aggregate of 231 (78, 78, 75).

   Bob and Phil Dempsey (also Tulliallan) will be playing this week in the 36 hole North of Scotland seniors to be held at Cruden Bay.

                                    SCOTT MISSES OUT IN SPAIN

   In the 72 hole European Individual Championship held at El Prat near Barcelona, Dollar’s Scott Borrowman just missed the cut by one set after three rounds with an 11 over par score (81, 72, 74).  While this may appear not so good, there were seven others out of the squad of twelve who were worse than this.  It really wasn’t a good tournament for the Scots among the elite amateurs of Europe.

   Scott is back in action this week having been selected for the Scottish team in the Home Internationals to play at Ganton in Yorkshire.  Scotland will be defending the title they won in 2012 at Glasgow Gailes.  Play is from Wednesday to Friday, and consists of morning foursomes and afternoon singles matches.

                             LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP

  The Clackmannan County Autumn Meeting will be played this Saturday (17th August) at Tulliallan--- late entries are available, and the following Sunday (25th) is the rescheduled 36 hole County Championship to be played at Alloa.  These evnts conclude the paying season with the aggregate trophies being finalised, and a team to represent a local Club in the Scottish Club Championship final.

   

   Tulliallan stages two Open events--- the Bloy Smith four ball Open on Sunday 18th August and the Tulliallan Seniors on Wednesday 21st August

   And for golfing spectators, the Johnnie Walker European Tour event will be played at Gleneagles from the 22nd till the 25th. It’s a good chance to give local Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan) a bit of support.

   AND FINALLY FOR THOUGHT..

   

   Those who followed the US PGA Championship must have been impressed by the standard of golf on the difficult layout.  The winner Jason Dufner scored a record 63 over a course with a rating of  76.7, and it was probably higher because of the way the course was set up………so Jason played to a handicap of at least plus 13!!, and that would be equivalent to a 58 around Schawpark.