New season gets off to a fantastic start in sunshine

James claims first prize of the year at Stirling

The golf season returned at clubs around Stirling, with glorious weather throughout the weekend.

Stirling Golf Club James Devine won the first tournament of the year and a place at the Annual Prizegiving Dinner in November, winning the King James IV Stableford (500th Trophy) on Saturday in stunning sunshine.

James amassed a staggering 45 points in Class 2, while Campbell Robertson 44 points and James Donaldson on 43 points were both unlucky to lose out by a small margin.

James hit 10 net birdies, and scored at every hole in half’s of 22 points and 23 points. He had a strong finish of four pars and four net birdies.

James McGibbon was second in Class 3 on 40 points and John Brown 3rd on 3 7points, beating David Liddell on the better inward half. Campbell Robertson won Class 2, the highlight an eagle, net albatross on hole 13 to amass 5 points for a fantastic inward nine of 23 points.

Stephen Pow playing on Friday was 2nd with a very creditable 42 points and Noel Masterson 3rd on 39 points after a great outward nine of 21points.

James Donaldson won Class 1 with a very steady round of 43 points with 15 pars and one birdie in half ’s of 22 and 21 points.

Gordon MacKenzie was 2nd on 40 points and Russell Dalgleish 3rd on 38 points beating Brendan Watt, Greg McLellan and James Brown on the better inward half.

The draws for the Captain’s Prize and Club Foursomes have been posted in the locker room.

All players are requested to append contact telephone numbers.

All ties are arranged by mutual consent and players are reminded to contact opponents to arrange a date well in advance of the closing dates for each round.

A Masters Friday tournament with the option of 18 or 36 holes is being held. See club notice in foyer for full details. Dollar Mixed Scramble - Saturday March 25. 1st Elaine Williamson, Darren Hulston, Drew Ure, Terry Young (4.8) 52.2; 2nd Barbara Pratt, Kayleigh Caine, Callum Ure, Stuart Morrison (7.4) 55.6; 3rd Barbara Malcolm, Kenneth Christie, John McMillan, Jim Roche (6.7) 56.3. Dunblane New Golf Club After all the recent rain and snow, it was a relief to have a sunny day to get the 2017 golf season underway on Saturday, with the traditional Captain v Vice Captain Shotgun Greensomes with one set of games at 8.30am and a second set at 1pm.

Despite losing his own match Captain Ian Kenny led his team to a comprehensive victory in the morning winning 27 up overall.

However, Vice Captain Neil Panton partnered by Chairman Roddy Morrison returned a remarkable 58.5 with five birdies in the first seven holes in the afternoon to lead his team to a victory by 13 up. As always a draw was declared. The winning pairing in the morning were Colin Graham and George Scott (10.5) on 63.5 ahead of Phil Castle and Robert Turnbull (21.5) on 65.5.

In the afternoon father and son pairing of Jim and Scott Brough (15) won on 64 ahead of Gavin Brown and Pat Monaghan (13) on 66BIH.

The prizes were handed out on Saturday for those with success in having played since October in the Winter Ringer.

Overall winner was Gary Aitken (17.25) on 48.75. Scratch honours went to Joe Patton on 54 ahead of Derek Cullen on 58.

The First Class was won by Cliff Gordon (9.75) on 49.25 with John Scales (8.25) second on 49.75 and Hamish Donald (9.00) third on 52.00.

Winner of the Second Class was Bob Turner (12.75) on 50.25 ahead of Norman Rodger (11.25) on 50.75 with Stuart Brown (12.00) third on 51.00. Tony Harrild (15.00) won the Third Class on 49.00 with Alan Mackay (15.75) second on 49.25 and Gordon Raw (14.25) third on 50.75.