. MacDonald defends the Scottish     Seniors' match-play championship 

By GORDON THOMSON

Gordon MacDonald (Glenbervie) defends the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society’s flagship Match-play Championship, sponsored by McCrea Financial Services, which gets underway on Monday 11 July at Panmure Golf Club. The top 32 players progress to the knock-out stages after the qualifying rounds on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 July running through to the final on Friday afternoon.

With the under 55 players ineligible for this event, the focus for the leading players is on building their claims for international team selection as well as the championship which will be closely contested. Among former winners taking part are Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County), David Gardner (Broomieknowe), George Paterson (Northern), Malcolm Reid (Sonning) and Jim Watt (Edzell).

Predictions in matchplay are always difficult with a high quality field but serious challenges can be expected from Ronnie Clark (Erskine), fresh from yet another win at Glenbervie last week, as well as the in-form David Shields (Glenearn), Graham Bell (Downfield), Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) and Bob Stewart (Tulliallan).

A separate event for Super Seniors (aged 65 and over) will run in conjunction with the main event and Jim Kinloch (Cardross) is defending that title. Eight players progress from the qualifying rounds to the matchplay atages.

If you fancy a break from watching the Open why not come along and watch the country’s top senior amateur players in action at an excellent venue.