It was an exciting weekend for Renfrewshire Golf Union's top golfers when they travelled to Crail Golf Course to compete in the finals of the Scottish Area Team Championship.

First, their Saturday morning semi final match against the North East was abandoned when gale force winds made play impossible as balls were blown off greens. Then in the rescheduled match on Sunday, they found themselves struggling to survive with four matches evenly poised and current Scottish Mid-Amateur champion Andrew Farmer from Kilmacolm GC four down at the turn against Peterhead's Philip McLean. Andrew amazed everyone when he recorded five consecutive 3s from the tenth and went on to win at the last hole to give his team a narrow 3-2 victory.

Their opponents in the final were Dumbartonshire and Bryan Adam (Paisley) and Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) set the pattern for the afternoon with a convincing 6 and 5 win. Not to be outdone, Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) also won his singles match 6 and 5 and the title was clinched when Matt Clark (Kilmacolm) recorded a one up victory over Paul Betty. Ronnie Clark (Renfrew) and Andrew Farmer agreed with their opponents to call their games halved matches which allowed them to get back to the Crail clubhouse to join the celebrations.

Team Captain, Murdo Carmichael, was delighted with the victory especially with the spirit shown by the team in the semi final when all seemed lost.

Top row : Derek McGlynn (Team Manager), Ronnie Clark, Andrew Farmer, Murdo Carmichael (Team Captain) and Craig Watson. Bottom row : Bryan Adam, Michael Dailly, Matt Clark and Gordon Stevenson

There was little to choose between the sides in the morning foursomes with all games going to the seventeenth hole before being decided. Home player Ronnie Clark and Matt Clark (Kilmacolm) put the first point on the board with a win over Jamie Aitken and Ross Benvie. However, the experienced team of Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm) and East Renfrewshire's Craig Watson lost 2&1 to Scott Barrowman and Ian Ross. Current Stroke Play Champion Brian Adam of Paisley and young Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) were left to capture the all important point which they did in a close battle with John Maxwell and Steven Horne

Picture shows Michael Dailly in action in his debut victory

The afternoon singles started well with Matt Clark recording a 4&3 win over Jamie Aitken. The second game saw the "A Team" debut of Michael Dailly (Erskine) who faced Scott Barrowman, the plus two golfer from Dollar who won the Scottish Youths championship at Erskine in 2007. Michael fully justified his selection with a 3&1 victory.

One more win was required for victory and Andrew Farmer went part of the way recording birdies at the fourteenth and sixteenth to square the match against John Maxwell. It was Gordon Stevenson who clinched it with a 2 &1 win over Ross Benvie.

In the other two matches Craig Watson lost one down and Ronnie Clark won one up and joined their team mates to open the champagne.

Renfrewshire now travel to Crail on 3rd October to face North East and possibly Scottish Amateur Champion David Law in the semi final

This year's competition finalists were Renfrew Golf Club and Ranfurly Castle Golf Club and, for a change, the contest took place in dry, if windy, conditions.

In the first game to finish, Robert Kinneson of Renfrew won 3 and 2 against Ron Martin of Ranfurly Castle but this early success was quickly cancelled out when the next two games saw Ranfurly Castle's Scott McKay and John Houston record 4 and 3 and 5 and 3 victories against their respective opponents Alex Aitkenhead and Alan Ferguson.

With the result in the event of a draw being decided on games up, Renfrew needed a six hole victory by Roddie Gardner over Jack Snell and although Roddie recorded a victory it was just one up and Ranfurly Castle is 2009 County Cup champions.

Last year's champion, Michael Campbell of Renfrew, came up against an in form Matthew Clark from Kilmacolm in the first semi final. Both players had chances to take a strong lead but, in the end, it went all the way with Matthew fighting his way to the final at the nineteenth hole.

In the second semi final, it was a Cochrane Castle battle between members Scott McGreneghan and David Lawson. Scott seemed to cope better with the conditions and had a relatively easy victory.

August 9th - BRYAN ADAM IS COUNTY STROKE PLAY CHAMPION

A full field of 81 of the top golfers in the Renfrewshire Golf Union area battled it out at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club for the title of County Stroke Play Champion. The greens were fast and the pin placements challenging but this did not deter the leading competitors.

In the morning round, home player Mark Robertson and Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm GC) recorded two under par scores of 68. David Ferguson (Paisley GC), Matt Clark (Kilmacolm) and Bryan Adam (Paisley) kept themselves in contention with scores of 69.

Mark Robertson was leading the field in the second round as he approached the seventeenth but a drive that looked good off the tee was not found and his long walk back to play three off the tee meant the end of his challenge. Andrew Farmer then recorded a great score of 70 for an aggregate of 138 and with David Ferguson fading away and with Matt Clark and Mark Robertson showing 140 on the scoreboard, only Bryan Adam could spoil Andrew's day. And he did, with a great round of 68 for a total of 137.

As the selectors consider the team for the final match in the Area Team Championship, a recall for Bryan, now playing off plus three, must be on the cards.

Pictures show RGU President Bill Gilmour, Bryan Adam and Douglas Martin, Captain, Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

Last year, Renfrewshire Golf Union's A Team made it through to the final of the Scottish Area Team Championship and just failed to win the trophy which they last won in 2005. This year, team captain Murdo Carmichael and team manager Derek McGlynn are determined to go all the way and the season started well with a solid win over Argyll & Bute.

Last week's match was away to a Fife team which included Scott Crichton, runner up in the Scottish Youths and Peter Latimer fresh from a great performance at the Scottish Amateur at Troon. The team selected was:
Matthew Clark, David Miller and Andrew Farmer - Kilmacolm
Ronnie Clark - Erskine
Craig Watson - East Renfrewshire
Gordon Stevenson - Whitecraig

Picture of Matt Clark examining a putt

Cochrane Castle Golf Club was the venue for the 2009 Renfrewshire Golf Union Club Team Championship at which a three man team from all the clubs fought it out for a place in the Scottish Championship to be held at Prestwick.

The winning team there will represent Scotland in the European Championship. So there was a lot at stake for all the competitors and this soon started to show through as the scores came in.

Ricardo Scarafile tried to inspire his Gourock team with a hole in one at the seventeenth but their combined efforts were not good enough.

First to head the leader board was the team from Erskine Golf Club with Ronnie Clark (74), Gary Sheppard (72) and Ian Gray (72) setting the aggregate of 218 as the target for those still out on the course. For a long time it looked as if this would be good enough but then the local team took advantage of local knowledge with Kenny Fairbrother recording 76, Derek Anderson a solid 73 and John Kinning securing the trophy by one shot with a great round of 68, the lowest score of the day.

July 5th - Eastwood Quaich Produces First Order Of Merit Results For 2009

The Eastwood Quaich, the opening round of the 2009 RGU Order of Merit (Blake Clark Trophy), was won by Gregor Munro of Ranfurly Castle Golf Club with a one-under-par round of 69.

The competition, held in conjunction with the D C Miller Trophy, was supported by a superb entry of over 140 and was played in fine conditions over Eastwood Golf Course on Saturday 5th July. In spite of favourable conditions, in general the visitors’ scores suggested they found the going tough, reflected in the visitor CSS being 72, 2 shots above the regular SSS of 70.

Munro’s round comprised of four birdies (4th, 6th, 12th and 13th), blotted by a bogey at the 5th and a potentially costly double-bogey at the par-3 11th signature hole.

Munro was pushed all the way by Andrew Farmer and Eastwood player Willie MacMillan who both returned 70, and Murray Stewart and David Miller who both returned 72.

Pictured, Eastwood Captain Robert Aird and Quaich Winner, Gregor Munro

June 28th - LOCAL GOLFER WINS COUNTY HANDICAP TROPHY

Caldwell Golf Club hosted the Renfrewshire Golf Union 6-12 handicap Championship on a day where early morning conditions were excellent for the competitors.

Gary Easton from Fereneze Golf Club set an early target for the large field of 118 when, playing off a handicap of 11, he got to the turn in 36. He leaked a few on the way back but a card of 76 less 11 for a net 65 raised the eyebrows of those still to tackle the demanding course.

Alan Proctor of Lochwinnoch looked to be up for the challenge as did Martin McCulloch of Bonnyton but both dropped shots toward the end and could only record 66 and 67 respectively for what became third and fourth places.

It took local golfer, George White, to take the wind out of Gary's sails. George was one behind the leader with three holes to play but a birdie two at the dangerous sixteenth followed by solid pars at the two remaining holes saw him return the same net score - 72 less 7 for 65 - as Gary. A complicated count back resulted in George taking the trophy with what was the best scratch score of the day.

PICTURES SHOW GEORGE WHITE WITH RGU PRESIDENT BILLY GILMOUR

June 14th - BONNYTON GOLFER TAKES HANDICAP TROPHY

John Curley of Bonnyton Golf Club was the winner of this year's Renfrewshire Golf Union's 13 plus handicap competition.

The event was held at Fereneze Golf Club and local member James McNeill looked a certain winner when, playing off 13, he reached the turn in 38 - net 31! However, he could not sustain this form and had to settle for a final net score of 64.

John recovered from a shaky outward nine to record a back nine of 36 for a total of 81 less 17 - also a net 64. The better inward half meant that the trophy will grace the trophy room at Bonnyton.

Picture - Ian Storie, Immediate Past President presents the trophy to John Curley of Bonnyton

June 14th - ALEX FERGUSON WINS FREEDMAN TROPHY

This is not another piece of silverware for the Old Trafford trophy room. Rather a great achievement for a young golfer from Paisley Golf Club who is the 2009 Junior Match Play Champion.

Alex was one down with one to play in an exciting semi final against Gordon Reilly of |Lochwinnoch at Kilmacolm Golf Club. He stayed in the match with a winning par at the tough 18th and made the final with a birdie at the first extra hole.

His opponent in the final was Jared Williams whose home club advantage had given him the edge in his earlier rounds. Alex quickly established a three hole lead with birdies at the first, fourth and fifth. He increased this to four up before Jared struck back, winning three holes in a row to be only one down. Alex retaliated with two birdies and was two up when the finalists reached the par three seventeenth. Any hope of extra holes for Jared disappeared as Alex sent a towering wedge to three feet and to victory.

Alison Murray presented the trophy on behalf of the family.

June 14th - Caldwell Fights Back To Win Duncan Trophy

The final of the 2009 Duncan Trophy (Renfrewshire Youth Match Play Championship) was contested over Renfrew Golf Course on Sunday 15th June between home player Jordan Grant and Jonny Caldwell of Greenock. Thundery skies threatened to suspend play on a couple of occasions but thankfully the storms managed to stay far enough away to allow play to continue uninterrupted, and Caldwell emerged victorious after a late fightback.

In the morning semi-finals, Grant had beaten Scott McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle) at the 20th hole and Caldwell had defeated another home player and last year’s champion Michael Campbell by a margin of 4&3.

In the afternoon final, the early holes were halved in a mixture of pars, birdies and bogeys and it wasn’t until the short 7th that the deadlock was broken, where Caldwell unusually pushed his tee shot over the boundary fence. Another Caldwell lost ball at the long 9th saw Grant take a 2-up lead through the turn, and only a great sand save from Caldwell at the short 10th prevented him from losing further ground. A further string of shared holes was broken at the 13th when Caldwell pulled one back, and Grant missed an opportunity to stretch the lead back again at the par-5 15th after two great strikes to 20 feet saw him subsequently take three putts for a half. A Grant bogey at 16th saw the match go all square and set up a thrilling finale. Caldwell seized his opportunity with a tram-liner birdie at the 17th. This proved too much for Grant to respond to, and the match was all over bar the shouting.

Finalists Jordan Grant and Jonny Caldwell

Jonny Caldwell (Greenock) recieves his Trophy from Bill Gilmour, President of RGU.

Kilmacolm Golf Club hosted this year's Renfrewshire Golf Union's Senior Championship. There are three age categories and an overall winner who has recorded the best net score. The large field enjoyed excellence both in terms of the weather and the condition of the course and, once again, the competitors showed that golf is not a sport where advancing years need to be a problem.

The winner of the young seniors category - 55 to 59 - was last year's runner up, Bobby Blackwood of Cochrane Castle, who was out in an amazing 33 and was harbouring thoughts of entering this year's Open at Turnberry until he ran up a ten at the 13th hole and had to settle for a gross 76 - net 70. Alastair Sharp of Renfrew and Douglas Martin of Ranfurly Castle also recorded net 70 but had to settle for smaller cheques.

In the mid group - 60 to 64 - Douglas Crawford of Lochwinnoch had his match secretary rushing to amend his handicap when he birdied the first, went out in 37 and had a two at the seventeenth to record a net 64 - 80 less 16. Graham McKee of Erskine had set a challenging 72 less 5 for a net 67 early in the day but, again, had to settle for second place. John Wilson of Paisley was third.

In the over 65 age category, Bill McCorkell from Greenock, the defending champion, took the trophy home again with a net 66 leaving Peter Dickie of Ranfurly Castle and Tom Whyte of Kilmacolm - both net 67 - to rue the missed putt that cost them the winner's cheque.

The RGU Seniors Champion for 2009 is Douglas Crawford.

The scratch prize, for those not appearing in the net prize list, went to John Taylor of Paisley with a gross 73.

Pictures are as described with RGU President Bill Gilmour

Bobby Blackwood of Cochrane Castle

The Scottish Boys Area Team Championship was held at Ballumbie Castle on Sunday 7 June 2009 and Renfrewshire was represented by Andrew McLaughlin (Bonnyton), Michael McLennan (Greenock, Whinhill), Philip Gordon (Paisley) and James Binning (Ranfurly Castle).

The morning foursome started off brightly in dry but breezy conditions. The pairing of Andrew McLaughlin and Michael McLennan returned a very creditable 73. The pairing of Philip Gordon and James Binning started off well, but encountered problems after running up a 7 at a par 4 hole and struggled thereafter to return on 81. Notwithstanding we were sitting only six shots behind the leaders at lunch time.

The afternoon singles produced again mixed results. Andrew McLaughlin from Bonnyton scored a magnificent 67 (2 under par) and was only pipped for the Niagra Cup (awarded to the lowest score in the afternoon) by Jack Scott from North East who also returned a 67, but had a better inward half. Philip Gordon performed extremely well to return a 71. Unfortunately Michael McLennan (81) and James Binning (84) meant that we eventually finished fifth equal, some seven shots behind the eventual winners.

I am convinced that there was an opportunity this year for us to win the competition, and it is disappointing that we did not grasp that opportunity, but there is always next year, when three out of our four team members will still be available for selection.

Thanks to Kenny Morrison for all his help and to our president, Bill Gilmour, for attending and supporting the boys.

JAMES A HERALD

Renfrewshire started the 2009 Area Team Championship with a victory against Argyll and Bute at Renfrew on Sunday 17th May. The morning Foursomes pairings consisted of Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm)/Ronnie Clark (Erskine), Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm)/Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) and Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs)/David Miller (Kilmacolm). Both Clark/Clark and Farmer/Watson posted convincing victories whilst Miller/Stevenson were beaten by Argyll & Bute Champion George Reynolds who was paired with Greg Watson. This gave Renfrewshire a narrow 2-1 lead through lunch.

In the blustery conditions Argyll and Bute came out fighting in the afternoon singles. The first three singles were closely fought with Matt Clark beating Allan McKie 2&1, Craig Watson defeated 3&2 by Chris Carson and Andrew Farmer beating Greg Watson 4&3 after winning 5 holes in succession. This left Renfrewshire requiring a single point to reach the magic score of 5 to secure a victory. In steps legend Ronnie Clark who seven days previous won the McKinnon Wood Trophy at Cawder. Ronnie was always in control of his
match where he won 5&4 against Graham Bolton who replaced Gordon Lundie. Ex Renfrew member Les Pirie who now plays at Millport halved against David Miller to gain Argyll and Butes last share of the points. Gordon Stevenson sunk a last hole putt of 3 feet just as the rain closed in to secure the 6 1/2 - 2 1/2 victory.

With this Victory Renfrewshire top their league as Clackmananshire defeated Fife 5 1/2 - 3 1/2.

Renfrewshire's next match is against Fife at Thornton on 2nd August.

It was a nail biting day for the Renfrewshire management team of Jim Herald and Kenny Morrison as the boys met a strong side from Dunbartonshire which included Dullater's Gary Meechan who made the last sixteen at the Scottish Boys in recent weeks.

The strong wind and Caldwell Golf Club's tough layout made it a difficult test but the boys - some as young as 14 years old - played high quality golf which was appreciated by the spectators.

Youngsters Fraser Lauder and David Slack were first and second out and played great golf but both were narrowly beaten - David by the last putt on the last green. Next result in was the defeat of Josh Bogle and the team was faced with winning the remaining games to avoid defeat.

The tide turned when Andrew McLachlan of Bonnyton - last year's Scottish Junior Champion of Champions - recorded an emphatic victory over Gary Meechan and Stewart Watt, the fifteen year old from Old Ranfurly, raised hopes of a team victory with a 3 and 2 win. The length of his drives drew admiring gasps from the spectators.

Michael McLennan - Greenock Whinhill and Gavin Hay - Whitecraigs both won their matches leaving Philip Gordon of Paisley as the last player out on the course and the pressure on him to get, at least, a half to ensure a winning start to the season.

Philip was having a tough game against David Gallagher with never more than one hole in it. He was one up playing the seventeenth but missed the fairway with his second at the testing par five. A great recovery shot to 20 feet was enough to half the hole and to ensure that Renfrewshire took full points.

Port Glasgow was the venue for this year's Renfrewshire Golf Union Boys and Youth Stroke Play Championships. Bob Hope once said that Scotland is the only place where one can experience all four seasons in one day and this was the perfect example of that quote. The young players had wind, rain, hailstones and sunshine as they battled both the elements and the very testing course which was in excellent condition so early in the season.

Scoring was high in the morning rounds. In the boys' section, fighting for the Caven Trophy, Michael McLennan of Greenock set the pace with a great 72 and home player, Craig Hill, used home advantage to record a 74. Great scores for the youngsters.

In the youth section, Jordan Grant of Renfrew looked favourite for the Menzies Trophy when he returned a card for 72, two shots ahead of Sam Binning from Ranfurly Castle.

The afternoon rounds saw a change of fortunes for two boys from Whitecraigs Golf Club. Gavin Hay had shot 79 in the morning but had a great round of 70 in the afternoon for a total of 149. Not to be outdone, his fellow club member, Andrew Brass, having recorded 77 in the morning, added a fine 72 to equal the aggregate of 149. Craig Hill and Michael McLennan missed out by one shot.

It was a similar story for the youths. Jordan could manage only a 76 for 148 while Sam Binning held his game together for a creditable 71 to set the target of 145. Cochrane Castle's Scott McGrenaghan needed a 70 to match that target and he equalled the best score of the day to do just that.

Two play offs were required to decide the winner. In the Caven Trophy, the two boys started nervously sharing six putts on the first green. After the designated three holes, the players were tied and it was not until the fifth that Gavin scrambled a great up and down leaving Andrew with a difficult chip to keep in the match. It ran beyond the hole and Gavin became the Boys' Stroke Play Champion for 2009.

Caven Winner Gavin Hay

Menzies Winner Sam Binning

Trophies were presented by Jim McGlynn, Captain of Port Glasgow Golf Club and Bill Gilmour, President of Renfrewshire Golf Union.

In the youth play off, only the designated three holes were required. Sam Binning got his par at the tough first par three to go one shot ahead, both players got a par four at the second and at the third, Scott took three putts leaving Sam with the luxury of two putts for the title.

Full Scores Were

Menzies

Scott McGrenaghan 75 + 70 145
Sam Binnings 74 + 71 145
Chris Conroy 77 + 70 147
Jordan Grant 72 + 76 148
Mark Scanlan 76 + 74 150

Last season, young Darryn Grant became only the fourth player in history to retain the Freedman Trophy. This is awarded by Renfrewshire Golf Union as the Boys' Match Play Championship. He added this to the Boys' Stroke Play Championship - the Freedman Trophy - and finished off a great season by becoming Junior Champion at his home course, Renfrew Golf Club.

The opening event for the boys this season is the Greenlaw Garage Champion of Champions which was held, as always, at Paisley Golf Club. The event is a Match Play format and allows the Junior Champions of all the Renfrewshire Golf Union clubs to compete to determine the overall Champion.

Darryn showed that he was again up for the challenge with solid victories in the opening rounds before he met Gordon Reilly of Lochwinnoch in the first semi final. He was two up at the turn and with a birdie at sixteen to rescue a half from Gordon's late challenge, he saw him off with another birdie at the 17th to win 3 and 1.

In the other semi final one of the favourites, Sam Binning of Ranfurly Castle Golf Club met Stewart Watt of the neighbouring course, The Old Course Ranfurly. It was a tight match, all square at the turn, before Sam sealed a 3 and 2 victory with birdies at the 12th and 16th.

The final looked like being a one sided affair as Sam's putter decided to have an off day and he fell behind in the early holes to be three down after eight holes. He then won the 9th, 10th and 12th holes to level the match. Darryn responded with a birdie and fourteen and a further birdie at the 16th was enough to see him add Champion of Champions to the many successes from last year - a great match and a worthy winner.

January 15th -

Nine young golfers from the Renfrewshire Golf Union area have received confirmation that they have been included in the Scottish Golf Union's Academy Programme. For five of them, it is the first year of inclusion and marks the "promotion" from the Renfrewshire coaching programme. Coaching Convenor, Jim Herald, says that he is delighted that so many boys have made the Scottish squad which, he says, is a tribute to the work done by Adam Hunter and Stephen McAllister at Mearns Castle Golf Academy.
The man overseeing the youth programme is Scottish Golf Union junior coach Spencer Henderson. His task, with the various areas' input, is to identify promising young players in Scotland. They are then fast-tracked into the governing body's development programme and receive support from the Scottish Institute of Sport. "Everything is designed for the individual," explained Henderson. "As well as golf coaching they receive lifestyle and nutritional advice, a strength and conditioning programme and learn about psychology"

The boys selected are:

Year 1
Andrew Cunningham (15) - Ranfurly Castle
Tom Binning (15) - Ranfurly Castle
David Slack (14) - Gourock
Jordan Higgins (14) - East Renfrewshire
Joshua Bogle (15) - Ranfurly Castle

Year 2
Fraser Lauder (14) - Paisley

Year 3
Jamie Binning (17) - Ranfurly Castle
Andrew McLachlan (17) - Bonnyton

Year 4
Sam Binning (18) - Ranfurly Castle

J.Bogle, S.Binning, D.Slack, J.Binning, T.Binning, F.Lauder and A.Cunningham

Mike McCabe is Junior Convenor at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club which has had five boys selected. He said that the club has been involved in providing local coaching for some years with a dozen members qualified at level one. This, and the involvement of the club professional, has resulted in Newton Shield success for the boys' team and the selection of the boys for both Area and Scottish training. Three of the boys are brothers and Sam Binning has already made his mark with appearances in the Scottish Boys' team and a runner up spot in the 2008 Scottish Boys' Stroke Play.

We wish the boys all the best as they strive for International honours.