Renfrewshire boys retain West League title

RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

 kgmcgee@hotmail.com

In a match played in very windy but dry conditions, the Renfrewshire Golf Union boys' team retained the West League title  by defeating Glasgow Golf Union 6.5-1.5 at Ranfurly Castle

The team went through the season, again unbeaten with three wins and two draws.

The wind caused a lot of problems for the boys at Ranfurly Castle , most finding it difficult to control the ball, particularly at the first hole where over 60% of them either found the right rough or went out of bounds.

This was something to be repeated throughout the course with numerous lost or out of bounds balls

However, the Renfrewshire boys appeared to be coping better than their opponents, but at the turn the match was very much in the balance with three of the Under-16 players being well down and the Under-18s being very even.

The holes after the turn proved crucial, as first Roddy McAulay turned a three-hole deficit after nine into a two-hole lead by 15, eventually winning by 3 and 1.

Greg McCaffer, in his first outing for Renfrewshire, was four down after 10 but said “he was now coming onto his game”, and proved his point by securing a square match.

Cameron Johnstone was not at his best and poor putting saw him lose by 3 and 2.

Aidan O’Hagan, the youngest player in the Renfrewshire team, but a boy to watch out for in the future, played the anchor role for the Under-16s in the absence of Tom Mackenzie and was never in trouble, running out a 7 and 6 winner.

Angus Frood, on his home course where he is junior champion, was always in command against Jack Crawford, who admitted that his golf was a bit out of sorts. Frood won by 6 and 4.

Jamie Sinnamon, he of few words, but a great ball striker, was never down, but threw away some good leads before setting the nerves of the management by winning by two holes.

Jack Currie, a bit of an enigma at times, played the worst shot of the day off the first tee. While his opponent was clearly in trouble out right, Jack hit his tee shot further right into a garden neighbouring the course. Neither found his ball, and the hole was halved in 7! This was a bit of an up and down game and while Jack never lost the lead, mistakes kept the game close. Currie eventually ran out winner by 3 and 1.

In the top match Ibrahim Hussain, looking for his first win for Renfrewshire, came up trumps and put in a great performance. Never behind, he built a comfortable early lead which he never gave up and ran out a comfortable winner by 6 and 4.

The Renfrewshire Golf Union are delighted to have retained the league trophy despite the fact that boys who played earlier in the season were no longer available as the have gone to University in both Scotland and the USA, or in the case of one other, is  now living in Holland.

This does show the strength in depth of the RGU Boys, and is a great reflection on the coaching programme driven by David Orr at Eastwood Golf Club and Mark Loftus at Mearns Castle and the support of the clubs with in the RGU who nominate their players into the coaching programme. We look for their continued support to promote Junior Golf in Renfrewshire

 RENFREWSHIRE 6.5, GLASGOW 1.5

Venue: Ranfurly Castle.

Renfrewshire players named first

Roddy McAulay (Fereneze) bt Alistair Harris (Ralston) 3 and 1

Greg McCaffer (Whitecraigs) halved with Nick Branney (Cathcart Castle)

Cameron Johnstone (Eastwood) lost to Alan Murphy (Ralston) 3 and 2.

Aidan O’Hagan (Old Course Ranfurly) bt Chris McMillan (Bishopbriggs) 7 and 6.

Angus Frood (Ranfurly Castle) bt Jack Crawford (Williamwood) 6 and 4.
Jamie Sinnamon (Greenock Whinhill) bt Alex Melrose (Haggs Castle) 2 holes.
Jack Currie (Greenock) bt Jack Savage (Cawder) 3 and 1.

Ibrahim Hussain (Eastwood) bt Jack Williams (Sandyhills) 6 and 4                                          

Graham McGee

 President

 Renfrewshire Golf Union