Golf returns

BRIDGE OF ALLAN

Last weekend started with the weekly Senior Gents Nine Hole Stableford and it was great to see Alan Beaton back in the winner’s circle with his score of 17 points.

Alan just beat Tony Jackson on a countback and third place went to Douglas Gebbie with 15 points. Leading the way in the Senior Gents Order of Merit is Jim Black with 47 points and in the Senior Gents Eclectic Gordon Darlington, Jim Black and Alasdair Breingan all share the lead with 26 points.

On Saturday, gents played in the second round of the Late Spring Shield and Mike Smith returned an excellent net 63 to win on the day and his combined two round total of net 129 also won the Spring Shield for 2020. Second place on Saturday went to Stuart Vannet who returned a net 64 and Martin Ross was third with his net 65.

Leading the way in the Saturday Eclectic are Phil Wallom and Euan Wallace on net 47.

The final competition of the weekend was the Gents Sunday White Tee Stableford and in mixed conditions scoring was good and Willie Robertson managed to win with his 19 point total just beating James Stuart and Jim Black who were second and third respectively. Scott Mackenzie now leads the way in the Sunday Eclectic with 24 points.

STIRLING

Almost 200 players competed on Saturday in fine conditions for the Coronation Trophy after Friday was cancelled due to prolonged heavy rain and large swathes of the course and greens flooded. Scoring was excellent with 19 players returning 69 or better - 11 from Class 1

The contest was extremely close with five players all returning net 67s.

The in-form Dariuz Kunecki was four under par through the opening six holes, dropped shots at 7 and 8 to turn in 34. An inward 37 (35 net) came up just short for the trophy.

Euan Mclean won Class 2 but also failed narrowly on the trophy, three double bogeys at 7,8 and 15 proving costly on a great card with an inward nine of 38 (32½).

Robert Hay was second in Class 2, also on net 67, with birdies at 1, 2 and 16 with halves of 39/40 (34)

Past Captain Andrew Malcolm scored his best round of the season with a level par 72 with birdies at 4,10,11 and 18 with an excellent inward nine of 34 (31½) which tied Richard Brodie - playing off 25 - to win Class 3 with halves of 48/44 also on (31½). The trophy was decided on the better last six holes and despite Andy being one under par gross on the last six holes (22.34) Robert pipped him with the slightest of margins 29 (20.67) to win his first trophy in only his second season as a member. Richard secures his place at the annual prizegiving dinner on Friday, November 20.

Another in form player - Stewat Mclellan beat Lee Wilson on the better inward half for third place in Class 1 with both players on net 68. Iain Wallace was third in Class 2 on net 68 and Brian White third in Class 3 on net 69.

Last Thursday, 79 Stirling senior players competed for the Morton Trophy with the Open Seniors cancelled due to Covid. Past Captain and Honorary Member David Smith held off strong challenges from Iain Wallace and Kenny Stewart for first place and the trophy.

David returned a three over par 75 net 67 in halves of 38/37 to beat Iain and Kenny - both on net 68. A double bogey at 17 proved costly for Iain. Kenny was steady with only three dropped shots at 1,11 and 12 and a solitary birdie at 16 for a two over par 74.

Results: Class 1 - 1 Andrew Malcolm 72 (5) 67 bih (Medal Finals Qualifier); 2 Dariusz Kunecki 71 (4) 67 (Medal Finals Qualifier); 3 Stewart Mclellan 70 (2) 68.

Class 2 - 1 Euan Mclean 78 (11) 67 bih (Medal Finals Qualifier); 2 Robert Hay 79 (12) 67 (Medal Finals Qualifier); 3 Iain Wallace 80 (12) 68.

Class 3 - 1 Richard Brodie 92 (25) 67 (Coronation Trophy Winner and Medal Finals Qualifier); 2 Robert Dickson 93 (25) 68; 3 Brian White 90 (21) 69.

Seniors: Morton Trophy - 1 DJ Smith 78 (8) 67; 2 Iain Wallace 80 (12) 68 bih; 3 Kenny Stewart 74 (6) 68.

On Saturday, Head Pro Kenny Monaghan and his team of Scott and Alyson will host the second Annual Fun Pro Day. This is now fully subscribed. Format is two ball better ball with a range of prizes for nearest the pins etc with food and beverages provided.

DUNBLANE NEW

The weather impacted on the play on Friday in that the heavy rain severely restricted play. However there was another full field on Saturday for the first round of the WC Jug with some excellent scoring.

Allan Cowie won the Scratch Class with a level par 69 with 10 pars, birdies at 6, 7, 14 and 17 and bogeys at 1, 2, 10 and 11.

First Class was won by Douglas Wright (10) on 64 highlighted by birdies at 7 and 15. Runner up was Scott Perman (11) on 65, despite double bogeys at 8 and 10. Six players then returned 66 but with bih including birdie three at 13, third place went to Mick Mcgovern (8). Fourth spot went to Roddy Anderson (6) with a steady round of 15 pars and just three bogeys resulting in a better last six than Joe Patton (5), Yan Stewart (6) and Christian Lee (11) and Chris Gater (5).

John Ward (12) won Second Class on 64 with birdies at 6 and 18 and with a double bogey at 16. Runner up, and gradually returning to form, was Derek Blues (12) as one of five players on 68 but with bih than Gavin Brown (13) who in turn had bl6 than Iain Sneddon (12) but bih than Martin Russell (16) and Gordon Foster (13).

Third Class was won by Iain Mccallum (17) on 64 highlighted by a birdie at 14.

Runner up was James Stevenson (18) on 65. Third place went to Andreas Lonberg (21) on 66. Paul Lewis (17) edged fourth place on 68 and a bl3 than John Cleghorn (18).

Once again there was a good entry for the Midweek Yellow Tee Stableford. John Currie (12) won the First Class on 43 points and bih than Tommy Allan (12). Third place went to Allan Cowie (4) on 41 points and bih than Ken Wilkie (4) who then had bl6 than Gordon Whitelaw ((6).

Second Class was won by Neil Aitken (17) on 44 points with Finlay Mason (13) second on 42 points. Three players the returned 40 points but third place went to Wallace Clarke (17) with bih than David Howie (13) who had bl4 than Mark Hay (14).

Third Class was won by Andrew Thomson (22) on 42 points with Cameron Mccann (24) second on 40 points and with a bih than Gordon Smith (25). Three players returned 39 points but third place went to Rod Mccreath (20) with bl6 than his friend Stuart Wilson (19) and Alan Cessford (21).

There will be another Yellow Tee Stableford today (Wednesday). Friday and Saturday will be the second round of the WC Jug.

On Sunday the John Wilson Greensomes will be played where there can be any combination of ladies and gents and tee times can be reserved on the on line booking system.

Results: WC Jug first round and Mcneil Cup (Aug 21-22): Scratch - Allan Cowie 69. First Class - 1 Douglas Wright 74 (10) 64; 2 Scott Perman 76 (11) 65; 3 Michael Mcgovern 74 (8) 66 bih; 4 Roddy Anderson 72 (6) 66 bl6. Second Class 1 John Ward 76 (12) 64; 2 Derek Blues 80 (12) 68 bih; 3 Gavin Brown 81 (13) 68 bl6; 4 Iain Sneddon 80 (12) 68 bih. Third Class - 1 Iain Mccallum 81 (17) 64; 2 James Stevenson 83 (18) 65; 3 Andreas Lonberg 87 (21) 66; 4 Paul Lewis 85 (17) 68 bl3.

Midweek Stableford (August 19): First

Class - 1 John Currie (12) 43 bih; 2 TC Allan (12) 43; 3 Allan Cowie (4) 41 bih; 4 Ken Wilkie (4) 41 bl6. Second Class - 1 Neil Aitken (17) 44; 2 Finlay Mason (13) 42; 3 Wallace Clarke (17) 40 bih; 4 David Howie (13) 40 bl4; 5 Mark Hay (14) 40. Third Class - 1 Andrew Thomson (22) 42; 2 C Mccann (24) 40 bih; 3 D Gordon Smith (25) 40; 4 Rod Mccreath (20) 39 bl6.

BRAEHEAD

Wednesday, August 19 saw a reason for double celebration at Braehead Golf Club.

Club secretary David Dick made a long service presentation award to Fraser Mcneill on completion of 40 years of service with the green staff at the club.

Fraser came to Braehead in 1980 to work while in his early 20s and has enjoyed the work so much he never found the need to move on. Fraser was congratulated on his achievement and he thanked the members present and stated that he has enjoyed his time at the club and will continue to do so for some time to come.

A further presentation was made by David to Peter Cunningham from Stirling, who has been a member of the club for the past 46 years. Peter has been an active member throughout that time and in his latter years was regularly seen taking part in the many seniors’ friendly matches and indeed competitions at the club.

To recognise this achievement, Peter was awarded an honorary lifetime membership of the club.

The Malcolm Spiers Trophy was played over the course on August 19. This is a four ball better ball competition and 30 teams took part in dry weather conditions.

Some excellent scores were recorded with the trophy being awarded to Rick Spencer and Val Buchan.

Results were: 1 Rick Spencer and Val Buchan 57; 2 Alan Reed and Duncan Chapman 60.