Renfrewshire Boys hang on to West League title
Youngsters make it three in a row despite loss to Stirlingshire
Renfrewshire Boys Golf Team retained the West League title, their third in a row, despite losing 5– 3 against Stirlingshire at Elderslie Golf Club.
This is the first time the team has been beaten in the last three years, with credit going to Stirlingshire in very difficult conditions.
The course was, as expected, heavily waterlogged due to the recent wet weather. And despite the rain during the day, the course remained playable which was a credit to the green staff at Elderslie.
The Renfrewshire team showed a number of changes from previous matches, and with must under-18 players unavailable, the hosts had to field six under-18s to make up the numbers.
Scott Newman, at 11 years old sent the team off as possibly the youngest player ever to represent the county.
But he didn’t let his lack of experience upset him as he quickly took charge of his game, and was two up with five to play. Unfortunately, he ran out of steam and after a poor drive at 18 and lost two down.
Meanwhile, Jonny Murphy was always struggling to find his best form, and with a lack of recent practice lost 2/1.
Timmy Erskine was having a nightmare of a front nine, losing eight balls and being something like 17 over par, was seven down at the turn, however, he kept going and made his opponent work hard, eventually losing by 5/ 3. Cammy Johnstone brought hope to the home team and despite having a nightmare at the first hole, much to the amusement of his fellow players on the tee, had the last laugh bringing home the first points of the day with a 5/4 victory.
And Roddy McAuley, promoted to the under-18 slot, made up for his disappointing performance in his last match and came in with a solid one hole victory.
Aidan O’Hagan, again promoted to the under-18 side, and playing for the County at this level for the first time, did not find his best form and lost 2/1.
With Euan English in the final game having lost by 3/2, working hard but never in complete control, it was left to Kenan Ingram to save the day.
Kenan had never been behind and was three up after 13 despite a fortunate escape at 12 where his opponent made the most unlikely of pars with a miracle third shot, while Kenan struggled for par.
However the match turned when his opponent won the 14th and 15th with par, with the 16th halved in par.
At 17, his opponent hit his drive to the right and was blocked out by the trees which he hit with his second shot, while Kenan went left and had a clear shot into the green.
A solid shot to the centre of the green from Kenan was enough to secure his par and victory.
All credit to the boys from both teams in a game which was played in very difficult conditions due totally to the atrocious weather which we have had over the summer period, but great credit due to Elderslie Golf Club for the condition of the course.