Craibstone's Borthwick and Still win Scottish Club Handicap Final on better inward half   

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Craibstone Golf Club's John Borthwick and Ian Still, who both play off a handicap of four, won the Scottish Club Handicap Grand Final in the tightest of finishes over the Torrance Course, Fairmont St Andrews today (Friday).
Three pairs headed the field of 38 clubs with better-ball net scores of seven-under-par 65.
Borthwick (pictured) and Still's 31 for the second nine gave them the edge over Cruden Bay (John Godward and Stewart Ingram), who came back in 35, and third placed Pitreavie (Ross MacFarlane and Richie Hunter) who had the best outward half of 29 but scored 36 for their inward nine.

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LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 72
65 Craibstone: J Borthwick (4), I Still (4); Cruden Bay: J Godward (scr), S Ingram (5); Pitreavie: R MacFarlane (7.1), R Hunter (20.3).
66 Caldwell, Dumfries and Co.
68 Arbroath Artisan
69 Tain, Maverston.
70 Harrison, Lochview.
71 West Lothian, Inverness, Kemnay.
72 Jedburgh.
73 Roxburghe, Clober, Ballater, Eriskay, Alyth.
74 Tam O'Shanter, Westhill, Lochend, Duns, Bearsden.
75 Kettledrum, Ratho Park.
76 McDonald Ellon, Carrbridge, Deaconsbank.
77 Dalbeattie, Binny, Sheddens, Crichton.
78 Renfrew.
79 Balfron.
80 Dullatur, Portlethen.
81 Lundin, Minto.

To view all the final totals and scoring details
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SCOTTISH GOLF SUMMARY
The Craibstone pairing of John Borthwick and Ian Still were left virtually speechless after overcoming the windy weather to be crowned Scottish Club Handicap winners for 2017.
At the Grand Final over the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews, the Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire duo posted a seven under par effort of 65 to edge home for victory.

> View final scores from Scottish Club Handicap Final 

That score was the same achieved by Cruden Bay (John Godward and Stewart Ingram) and Pitreavie Dunfermline (Richie Hunter and Ross MacFarlane) but the better inward gross of Craibstone proved decisive.

The winners each received a Scottish Golf voucher, complimentary four-ball tee time on either course at The Fairmont (Torrance or Kittocks), bobble hat and championship trophy.
Still said: “We are speechless, to be honest. We got off to a flyer with three birdies in the first five holes. It was tough conditions and par golf thereafter was good enough on the day.
“I had never played at The Fairmont, so it was a really good experience. The course was in absolutely amazing condition given the recent weather. The greens were like putting on a carpet.”
In a special challenge for the 40 club pairings who teed up after coming through Regional Finals, the new Scottish Golf Men’s Order of Merit champion Calum Fyfe (Cawder) was on hand for a nearest the pin challenge at the short eighth hole. Only 15 players defeated Fyfe and the winner, Stuart Soutar (Harrison), was randomly picked to receive a Fairmont umbrella and bobble hat.
“It’s unbelievable, a total surprise,” added Borthwick.
 “We played exceptionally well, but we putted poorly and we thought we had left too many out there to be honest. It was a really good day.”