MAGNIFICENT 66 WINS AT SCOTTISH NATIONAL!!

This year’s Scottish National Tournament was hosted by Largs Golf Club on Thursday 13^th June and drew an excellent 62 competitors from all over Scotland who benefited from glorious sunshine throughout the day.

Largs Golf Club is located on the North Ayrshire coast some 30 minutes from Glasgow.  The club was first established in 1891 at the local municipal course, Routenburn Golf Club before relocating to its present location adjacent to the Irvine Road in 1893.  A parkland course, it was originally designed as a 9-hole course before becoming a full 18-holer in 1953.   Playing to its full length from medal tees it covers some 6150 yards with a par of 70 and a CSS of 71. 

This year, we had our own version of Ivor Robson on the first tee to announce each player.  John Sneddon has worked with the PGA on a number of their events and kindly agreed to participate in our national tournament that added a touch of class to proceedings.  First on tee at 11:15am was a guest, Gordon Clarke from West Kilbride Golf Club.  Subsequent games then teed off every 9 minutes until the very last game at 2.15pm comprising an East/West combination of Gregor Wilson (Turnberry) and Robbie Murdoch (Dundas Park).

The standard of golfer taking part was very high with more than half the field being single handicappers.  Indeed it proved to be one of our lowest handicappers that turned in the performance of the day to win the Championship trophy.  Gordon Sangster from Cathkin Braes Golf Club produced a magnificent gross score of 66 that included an eagle, 4 birdies and only 2 bogies.  Gordon managed to get to the turn in only 29 blows narrowly missing out on a short putt for the 28.

Not to be completely overshadowed by Gordon, Iain MacDonald playing on his home course recorded a great score of 68 gross and less his 2 handicap won our Friendship Trophy with a net 66.  In addition to winning the trophies, Gordon and Iain will have their entries to the BIGGA National Tournament at Frilford Heath paid for them and will receive expenses towards travel and accommodation.

There was one common theme shared by all competitors on the day, their unequivocal praise of the golf course condition.  Our whole-hearted congratulations are reserved for Iain Barr, Course Manager and his team for producing an excellent facility for the competition.  Even the tricky position of the 18^th flag, thanks to George Morrison for that one, didn’t diminish the player’s admiration of the course.

Throughout our day at Largs Golf Club, we were treated to a very warm welcome by Keith Howie (Secretary), Andy Fullen (Professional) and the other members of the team.  Andy O’Hara, Scottish Chairman, was on hand at the end of the day to thank the captain Brian Fulton, the committee, Keith and everyone else for the tremendous hospitality that was received and presented a Quaich to the club as a thank you for the courtesy of the course and clubhouse.  Keith thanked Andy and reaffirmed the club’s delight at hosting this event and for the hard work of all greenkeeping staff required at golf courses throughout the country.

Congratulations to all who took part and we hope to see everyone at next year’s championship at Renfrew Golf Club on Thursday 12^th June.

Gordon

Iain

John Young

Regional Administrator (Scotland)