Stirling Observer

Early-morning start tees off weekend of great golf

Members back in the swing on fairways

- CHRIS MARZELLA

Golfers returned to the fairways over the weekend after the lockdown restrictio­ns prohibitin­g play were lifted.

Players were greeted with soaring temperatur­es and glorious sunshine as a number Stirling area clubs reopened.

At Stirling Golf Club, club captain George Clelland finally hit the opening tee shot to open the season at 7am on Friday.

In total, 312 players played nine holes.

The weekend was also very busy with players enjoying the new academy course and vastly improved practice facilities.

Jim McKerchar from the club said: “Players were high in praise of the condition of course and greens.

“Course manager James Lindsay and his team doing a great job, despite limited resources.”

The club resumed play on all 18 holes from Monday for members only and with staggered tee times.

At Bridge of Allan Golf Club, club captain Hugh Dent also welcomed members back on Friday.

Dunblane New Golf Club was another which resumed play on Friday. With upwards of 30 new members, in addition to all the members who had stayed loyal to the club, the booking sheets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday were fully subscribed within minutes of opening.

Play was restricted to two balls.

Now the season is up and running , the club took the opportunit­y to publish its results of the Winter Ringer for 2019/2020 run from October to March and completed just before lockdown was introduced.

Winner of the Tennent Trophy was Fraser Bell (10.5) on 47.5 and BIH than Richard

Lyons (13.5).

The Best Scratch Score was an 18 under par 54 from Craig McGann. Runner up was Mike Bell on 57 and BF6 than Rocco Purves.

Joe Patton (4.5) won the First Class on 50.5, his Scratch Score of 55 just one behind Craig. Runner up was Colin Thomson (9.0) on 51.0 with Graham Hally (8.25) third on 51.75. Young Wallace McInnes (6.75) was fourth on 52.25 and BIH than Davison Steen (9.75).

In the Second Class

Richard Lyons (13.5) had the consolatio­n of winning on 47.5 well ahead of Cliff Gordon (11.25) on 50 .75. Sandy Hepburn (10.5) was third on 51.5 and BIH than Craig Wilson (10.5). Jeff Bryan (12.0), winner in 2018/2019, was fifth on 52.0.

Alan Mackay (17.25) won the Third Class on 47.75 with Drummond Gardner (14.25) second on 48 .75. Alan Ross (15.0) took third spot on 50.0 and BIH than Stuart Reid (15.0). Joe McGee (14.25) was fifth on 50.75.

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 ??  ?? Return Club Captain Hugh Dent welcomed members back in Bridge of Allan
Return Club Captain Hugh Dent welcomed members back in Bridge of Allan
 ??  ?? Open George Clelland hits the opening tee shot at Stirling
Open George Clelland hits the opening tee shot at Stirling

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