BARRIE EDMOND WINS NE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SCRATCH

ABOYNE'S ANDREW McLEOD TAKES 

HANDICAP TITLE
 
By ALAN BROWN 

Evening Express Sports Editor

BARRIE Edmond has been crowned this year’s Evening Express Champion of Champions scratch winner.

Bon Accord member Barrie defeated two-time holder Bryan Innes 2 and 1 at Murcar Links.

Barrie said: “Winning the Champion of Champions has capped off a terrific year for me.

“It is a tournament I have always wanted to win because I want to have my name on all the North-east’s prestigious trophies before my golfing days are over.

“I had a few first timers this season after winning the Brangan Cup at Duff House Royal and both the Murcar Links and Newmachar 36-hole Opens.”

With the match standing all square on the tee of the 172-yard  16th, the pivotal moment came seconds later.

Bryan, who had just squared the match with a winning par four at the previous hole, fired his down-wind seven iron through the green and was left with a tricky up and down for par.

Barrie did similar but was left a slightly easier return.

Bryan said: “The trouble was the ball was lying too good.

“I would not have taken my tee-shot back. It just took  a hard bounce and shot through.”

Bryan’s chip landed sharply at the edge of the green leaving him a 12ft putt for par while Barrie played up to four feet.

Bryan missed but Barrie holed to take a crucial one-hole advantage to the 17th tee.

Both players fired terrific approaches to the penultimate green.

Bryan played first to eight feet right of the cup while Barrie flew his ball 15ft past the pin.

In a typical match-play scenario, Barrie holed before Bryan narrowly missed and former Links champion Barrie was the champion.

Aboyne retained the handicap trophy, after Andrew McLeod defeated Ballater’s Francis Anderson 3 and 1.

Andrew said: “This is the biggest win in my golf career.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the tournament, meeting other players and playing other courses.”

The handicap final was level until the 15th where Andrew took a one-hole advantage.

After Francis’ tee-shot found gorse, Andrew doubled his lead and he sealed victory at the 17th after Francis conceded.

The  Champion of Champions was open to the 2013 scratch and handicap champions of all clubs affiliated to the North-east District.

Both sections were again sponsored this year by

the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre.