NEWS RELEASE
2010 July
| 3rd July - BRIAN SMITH
WINS THE EASTWOOD QUAICH | |
The opening round of the 2010 RGU Order of Merit (Blake
Clark Trophy), was won by Brian Smith of Kilmacolm Golf Club with a level-par
round of 70.
The competition, held
in conjunction with the D C Miller (Handicap) Trophy, was supported by a good
entry of over 110 and was played in tough conditions over Eastwood Golf Course
on Saturday 3rd July. A combination of strong and blustery winds and a fiery course
following the prolonged dry period led to some high scoring particularly by the
visitors for whom CSS was 73, 3 shots above the regular SSS of 70. Smith,
a previous winner of the Quaich prior to the course alterations at Eastwood, compiled
his round including two birdies at the par-5 holes (6th and 13th) and two bogeys
at the tough par-4 14th and 18th. |

Pictured
Rob Crusher (left, Eastwood Captain 2010) and Quaich Winner Brian Smith | | Smith
was pushed all the way by Eastwood player David Sibbald (72), Allan Johnston (73)
from neighbouring Bonnyton and Lewis Cullen (73), also from Eastwood, the latter
going on to win the D C Miller Trophy for the best net score (68). |
June
| 27th June - LOCAL WINNER
FOR 13+ CHAMPIONSHIP AT OLD COURSE RANFURLY | |
Old Course Ranfurly was the venue for the Renfrewshire
Golf Union 13 plus event. Both the course and the weather were in excellent shape
but the scores suggested that the set up for the day had been demanding. Home
advantage appeared to be a strong advantage when Daniel McGarvey, a local member,
recorded a net score of 70 (87-17) but this was quickly matched by Frank Ford
from Renfrew Golf Club who went to the top of the leader board with the same net
score of 70 (88-18) on the basis of the better inward half. However,
later in the day, another local member, Willie McGregor claimed the trophy with
a net score of 68 (87-17) Picture
shows Willie receiving the trophy from Old Course Ranfurly Captain Gerry Graham |
|
| 20th June - GREENOCK,
WHINHILL GOLFERS TIE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP | |
Whitecraigs Golf Course was the venue for the Renfrewshire
Golf Union Championship for the 6 to 12 handicap range of golfers. Conditions
were excellent - both course and weather - and low scoring was anticipated by
the organizers. They were not disappointed! As
the day progressed, the net figure of 69 became a regular number on the scoreboard
with N McKay (Erskine), R Phin (Renfrew), Kevin Barr (Ranfurly Castle) and A McDonald
(Whinhill) all signing cards for that result. However,
Whinhill Golf Club members Peter Daly and Alan Hendry both went one better - Peter
74 less 6 and Alan 75 less 7 - to tie for the Championship. There was no play
off with the Championship and cup going to Alan who had the better inward half.
Peter had some consolation with the best gross on the day.
|

Picture
shows Alan being presented with the trophy by RGU Past President Ian Walker |
| 13th June - ANDY MACLAUGHLAN
IS BOYS' COUNTY MATCHPLAY CHAMPION | |
Kilmacolm Golf Club was, once again, the venue for
the final stages of the Freedman Trophy - the Renfrewshire Golf Union Boys' Match
Play Championship. In excellent conditions,
the first semi final was between Paul Reilly of Lochwinnoch and Andy MacLaughlan
of Bonnyton, a regular member of the SGU Academy squad. Andy's experience showed
through and he recorded a comfortable 3 and 2 win. The
second semi final was a hard fought affair with Paisley's Alex Ferguson eventually
making his way to the final at the 21st hole having just survived a talented challenge
from Greg Paterson - Ranfurly Castle. In
the final, Andy stamped his authority early in the game, winning the first three
holes. However, Alex fought back to be only one down at the turn. Andy moved up
a gear at that stage and two birdies saw him restore his three hole advantage
and an eventual 4 and 3 victory.
|
Picture
shows the finalists with Alex left and Andy right
|
| 13th June - COUNTY YOUTH
MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - BATTLE OF THE GRANT BROTHERS |
| There were
almost perfect conditions at Renfrew Golf Club as the semi finalists in the Duncan
Trophy gathered to do battle. The trophy - Renfrewshire Golf Union's Youth Match
Play Championship - is competed for by the top sixteen qualifiers from the Stroke
Play Championship and home advantage appeared to be a very positive factor. First,
the Stroke Play Champion, Alistair Lauder was beaten by Renfrew's Michael Campbell
to give him a semi final place, then he was joined by two other Renfrew players
- brothers Jordan and Darryn Grant - who had fought their way to semi final slots
against tough opposition. The only non Renfrew Golf Club member was Gordon Reilly
from Ranfurly Castle. In the first semi
final, Jordan Grant took an early lead over fellow member Michael Campbell going
three up and looking comfortable. Although Michael fought back to narrow the lead,
Jordan held on well and the game ended at the seventeenth hole with Jordan winning
2 and 1. Brother Darryn used his home
course advantage to good effect and was never in trouble against Gordon Reilly
and his dominance resulted in a 5 and 4 victory. So
it was head to head for the brothers with Jordan the favourite having shown his
form in recent weeks with a club record score over his home course. He repeated
his flying start of the morning and was always in command of his game. Darryn
tried to get back with some excellent golf reducing the deficit but in the end
he had to shake hands on the seventeenth green to allow brother Jordan to collect
the trophy.
Pictures are of
the semi finalists - Darryn (left) and Jordan then Jordan with the trophy. |
|
| 9th June - INSIDER WINS
COUNTY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP | |
The 2010 County Seniors Champion had a double advantage.
First, he was playing at his own course, Renfrew Golf Club, and second he was
actually the Tournament Convenor for Renfrewshire Golf Union and responsible for
the administration of incoming scores. Match
Convenor, David Manderson, was out early and his score of 70 (84-14) went to the
top of the leader board where it remained unchallenged for some time. As the day
progressed, it became clear that the course was proving to be a challenge for
the majority of the field of over a hundred. However, first Jim Fleming (Erskine)
then Clark Billings (Gleddoch) handed in their cards to challenge the leader -
both equalling the leading score. At
the end of the day, with no better scores recorded, it was up to the results computer
to announce the Champion on the best inward half and it was David Manderson who
took the trophy. |
Picture
shows David receiving his trophy from Renfrew GC Captain, Colin Pope
| Full
results: 55-59 1st C Billings Gleddoch
81-11=70 2nd J Sheppard Erskine 87-13=74 BIH 3rd G Stevenson Gleddoch
83- 9=74 | 60-64
1st P Nicholson Lochwinnoch 88-16=72 2nd W McMillan Fereneze 81- 7 =74
3rd I Cumming Eastwood 79- 5 =74 | 65
+ 1st D F Manderson Renfrew 84-14=70 BIH 2nd J Fleming Erskine 84-14=70
3rd W Russell Renfrew 91-19=72 BIH | May
| 16th May - RENFREWSHIRE
GOLFERS FALL AT LAST HURDLE | |
Renfrewshire Golf Union's "A" Team headed
for Kinross as current Scottish Area Team Champions determined to defend their
title. Under the new format, the first task was to qualify for the semi finals
by recording one of the four best aggregate team scores over 36 holes over the
Montgomery and Bruce courses. As the
day progressed, it seemed unlikely that this would be achieved with both Ronnie
Clark and Gordon Stevenson struggling to record counting scores. However, two
great rounds of 71 - 3 under par - by Kilmacolm's Andrew Farmer and an error free
afternoon round of 70 from Matthew Clark from the same club saw Renfrewshire take
third place and a place in the semi finals. |
Murdo
Carmichael, Team Captain, Matthew Clark, Andrew Farmer, Ronnie Clark, Craig Watson,
Bryan Adam & Gordon Stevenson
| Semi
final opponents were Lothians, the largest area in Scotland and regular winners
of the Championship. The opening foursomes saw Bryan Adam and Gordon Stevenson
losing 2 and 1 but Matthew Clark continued to show his form with a convincing
win - 6 and 4 - over Allyn Dick. Ronnie Clark also had a comfortable win and a
halved match for Craig Watson meant that it was all down to Andrew Farmer who
was battling it out with current Scottish Boys' Champion, Grant Forrest. Andrew
won at the 17th and the stage was set for a battle against North East. Unfortunately,
this was the end of the bid to retain the trophy with the young team from Aberdeen
and surrounding area winning four matches comfortably to take the trophy. The
only bright spot in the final was the performance of Matthew Clark who faced David
Law, current Scottish Match Play Champion and, having been up for most of the
game, shook hands for a very creditable half after eighteen holes. It
was a brave performance from the team but the return of the trophy will have to
wait until 2011. |
| 16th May - FALTERING
START FOR RENFREWSHIRE BOYS | |
In the first of the inter area matches, Renfrewshire
Golf Union had a home match at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club with Glasgow Golf Union
as their opponents. In the first game,
Paul Reilly (Lochwinnoch) got the season off to a solid start with a 2 and 1 victory
over Craig Anderson. Tom Binning then used home course knowledge to raise hopes
of an easy victory. Elderslie's Alasdair McDougall, fresh from his solid run in
the Scottish Boys', found himself 3 down with four to play and clawed his way
back to all square going down the last. A hook and a lost ball saw off his challenge.
Jamie Savage from Cawder Golf Club,
a rising star was just to good for Fraser Lauder (Paisley) who lost by one hole
and, having started so well, Renfrewshire went behind when the usually reliable
Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) had a serious off day against Pollock's Patrick O'Neill
shaking hands at the 14th hole - it's a long way to the clubhouse from there!
Again, local boy, Josh Bogle showed that knowing the course can be a key element
when he recorded a 3 and 2 victory over Scott Wearing (Bishopriggs) and Scottish
Internationalist, Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton) then strode into a three hole lead
after six holes and eventually won 2 and 1 despite a strong challenge from David
Gallagher (Glasgow). |
Josh Bogle in action | Leading
by one game, convenors Graham McGee and Gary Havlin then bit finger nails as they
watched last minute substitute, Andrew Cunningham, Boys' Champion at Ranfurly
Castle, fight it out with Calum McLean (Cowglen) - a seasoned campaigner. In a
game where there was never more than one hole in it, it was all square coming
down the last. Both boys found the green and it was McLean who sank his putt for
a birdie. A draw and only one point for Renfrewshire.
|
| 2nd May - R G U YOUNGSTERS
BACK IN ACTION | |
Elderslie Golf Club was the venue for the Abbeycare
Foundation Caven and Menzies Trophies. This annual event is the Junior and Youth
Stroke Play Championships played over 36 holes. In
the Caven Trophy - boys under 18 - Darren Jones from the home course set the morning
pace with an excellent 71 and had a three shot cushion over his nearest rival
at that point - Riccardo Dimurro from Greenock. The afternoon round changed everything
quite dramatically. First, David Docherty from Bonnyton recorded 72 for an aggregate
of 150 followed by Ranfurly Castle's Greg Paterson whose 74 also made a total
of 150. Darren Jones slumped to 79 - also for the same total. What looked like
a count back for the places was avoided when Josh Bogle, also from Ranfurly Castle,
added the best score of the day - an almost flawless 70 - for a total of 146 and
his first trophy of the season. County selectors were out on the course and there
is little doubt that Josh and the other challengers will be hearing from them. The
first points in the under 14 Order of Merit were gained by Paul Dorrian of Greenock
and Cochrane Castles' Colin Edgar. Turning
to the Menzies Trophy - youths up to age 23 - it was Alistair Lauder from Paisley
and Renfrew's Jordan Grant who set the morning standard with scores of 70 and
72 respectively. The afternoon saw some excellent golf with three scores of 69
recorded by Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) to temporarily head the leader board
on 143, Darryn Grant (Renfrew) for an aggregate of 145 and Bryan Robertson - also
from Renfrew - whose excellent round was in marked contrast to his morning round
of 89! The question was - would Alistair Lauder hold it together in the second
round needing a score of 72 to take the trophy. Indeed he could and his aggregate
of 142 over a tricky course was an excellent performance.
|
Josh Bogle with the
Caven Trophy | 
Alistair
with the Menzies Trophy | April
| Alex Ferguson of Paisley
Golf Club is Junior Champion of Champions | |
The final two junior club champions, Jared Williams Kilmacolm
and Alex Ferguson of Paisley battled it out on Sunday 25th April to win the Champion
of Champions title. The game started with Alex scoring birdie at the par four
2nd hole to go one ahead but following his poor drive at the par five 3rd hole,
Jared evened up the score with a par. Over
the next few holes both players played well but local knowledge took its toll
and Alex was three up at the turn. At the long par four 10th, Jared fell foul
of a root just inside the tree line and although he had a clear shot to the green
had to take a penalty drop costing him the hole. Although
still playing some fine golf, four down after ten proved too big a hill to climb
for Jared who eventually conceded the 14th for Alex to win 6 & 4. |
Finalists Jared Williams
and Alex Ferguson before the match. |
Jared Williams recieves
his runner up voucher from Sponsor, Ian Laing of Greenlaw Garage. |
Alex with his Trophy presented by
Paisley Club Captain Jim Crawford. Pictured on either side, Bill Gilmour RGU and
Sponsor Ian Laing. |
| ELDERSLIE YOUNGSTER
MAKES LAST EIGHT IN SCOTTISH BOYS |
Fifteen year old Alasdair McDougall,
a member of Elderslie Golf Club, was one of 256 boys who entered for the Scottish
Boys Championship at West Kilbride. With a current handicap of three (down from
eight at the start of 2009) relatively high compared to many in the field who
are in the plus handicap zone, Alasdair, Renfrewshire Golf Union and his coaches
at Newton Mearns Academy thought that it would be a valuable experience for him
but expectations were not high for the performance which followed. Having
made it through the first round, Alasdair faced Jack Scott from Deedside in the
second round. | |
| Jack, a Scottish
Internationalist who recently won the first Junior tour event of the season, was
the clear favourite but Alasdair shocked everyone by emerging victorious to move
on to the third round. The next victim
of Alasdair's incredible performance was Greg Nicoll (Glenbervie) himself a county
champion and in round 4, the challenge was from Cameron Kirkwood from Bearsden.
Cameron was swept aside 7and 5 allowing Alasdair to have an early lunch before
facing Angus Carrick from Douglas Park. Having been one down with two to play,
Alasdair holed a 10-foot birdie putt to see off Carrick on the final green and
set up a quarter-final tie against Craigielaw's Grant Forrest who is the current
Scottish under 16 Champion. The dream
ended there with Grant, who plays off plus one, moving on to the semi final despite
a plucky performance from the youngster. But it was a great week and with age
on his side, we know that a Scottish title and international recognition cannot
be far away. | January
- March
| |
| RECORD ENTRY FROM
RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION BOYS With
some courses in the area still clearing off the last of the snow and ice, entries
have now closed for the first major golfing event of the season which is the Scottish
Boys' Championship to be held at West Kilbride in the week commencing 5th April. With
a handicap limit of 5.4, a record number of Renfrewshire Golf Union's top junior
golfers have been accepted - an amazing 31 players. The boys' winter coaching
programme has been difficult but Ian Kennedy and George Boswell at Mearns Castle
Academy have done everything possible to ensure that, despite the weather, the
boys in the coaching squad are as ready as they can be for the Championship. On
occasions, this has meant retrieving the practice balls by hand from deep snow! The
winter programme has included sessions on Fitness and Nutrition provided by Karyn
Burns. This is a new feature of the coaching programme and the boys will benefit
from this in the medium term. A practice
round at West Kilbride was organized for last weekend and the coaches and managers
are confident that this will be a useful extra step in the preparations for the
event and, indeed for the season ahead.
| Renfrewshire
Golf Union
|  |