Scottish Seniors Golfing Society
	About The SSGS	News and Features 2008
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	Order of Merit Placings 2008	Merchandise & Member Benefits
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Notice to Members
2008 West of Scotland Seniors Open (Cancelled)
Hamilton Golf Club

As you know we required to cancel Hamilton at short notice. The entry fee of £25 is refundable but, with members’ permission, we would seek to retain the funds in lieu of the 2009 subscription. The AGM at Nairn voted the subscription at £25, the same amount as the Hamilton entry. It would save us a considerable amount of time, not to mention postage and bank charges, if you agreed.

We shall of course send any member a refund cheque if requested.

Many thanks

Jim and Peter Kinloch

Joint Secretaries and Treasurers

 

Scottish Seniors Order of Merit goes to the wire
The Blairgowrie Golf Club Tuesday 2nd September.

The “shoot-out” to decide final places in the OOM Table was designed to create excitement with the top 30 contenders going out in ascending order of points. Last year’s climax was more about the lesser places due to the dominance of Ian Hutcheon during the series.

This year however has been a totally different kettle of fish with leadership changing hands monthly and ultimately there were three contenders, all with a chance to take the title on the last day. Only around 100 points covered Bob Stewart (1), Gordon MacDonald (2) and Derek Murphy (3) as they teed off in the final three-ball. The Landsdowne track provided a fitting test playing every yard of its 6,800. Derek required to win to have a chance and this prospect more or less disappeared when Harry Milligan returned a brilliant 69 in the mid-order.

Much excitement then when Gordon and Bob came to the last green. Bob’s holeable putt stayed up and the 22.5 points gained by Gordon were enough to give him the Order of Merit title. Ron McLellan’s fine 73 was enough to edge our Derek for third place.

Ian Ross, SGU Vice President was on hand to make the presentation and paid tribute to the progress made by the Society in its short existence. Gordon, in his acceptance speech said that anyone whose name followed Hutch onto a trophy should feel proud and he was no exception.

Leading OOM totals

Name Club Gross OOM start Today OOM end
Gordon MacDonald Callander 77 490.00 17.50 507.50
Bob Stewart Tulliallan 78 501.43 0.00 501.43
Ronald McLellan Turnberry 73 370.63 65.00 435.63
Derek Murphy Kinross 77 407.50 17.50 425.00
Ian Hutcheon Monifieth 76 365.00 35.00 400.00
Ian Brotherston Dumfries & County 71 292.50 95.00 387.50
Iain Stewart Curragh 83 300.00 0.00 300.00
Ronald MacLean Hamilton 79 300.00 0.00 300.00
Colin Christy Kilmacolm 81 277.50 0.00 277.50
George Paterson Northern 76 240.81 35.00 275.81

Landsdowne leading scores

69 Harry Milligan, Hamilton
71 Ian Brotherston, Dumfries & County
72 Peter Lamb, Biggar
73 Ron McLellan, Turnberry
74 Ian Taylor, Royal Burgess
75 David Smith, Stirling, Jim Kinloch, Cardross, John Johnston, Royal Aberdeen
76 Sandy Pirie, Hazelhead, George Paterson, Northern, Ian Hutcheon, Monifieth

 

Ronnie to the fore at Drumpellier
Impressive debut for Scottish Seniors Matchplay event

Drumpellier was an oasis of green in the large lake that was West Central Scotland following the wettest August since records began. There were obvious concerns after Hamilton had to be cancelled but all credit to the staff for keeping the course very playable. Clearly the conditions were going to test reserves of energy in the later stages. The golf that was produced as the week progressed was a tribute to these latter-day athletes and good livin’ guys.

Qualification rounds were Monday and Tuesday and belonged to Iain Stewart with a superb 72-74 146. The Dublin based “Bankie” is a great supporter and travels long and often to be at our events. His total led by 3 shots from new international cap Derek Murphy with captain Gordon Macdonald in third. Ronnie Maclean lurked menacingly in 4th while local hero Alan Ferguson improved his first round by 6 shots with an equal best 73 to share 5th. Stroke play champion Bob Stewart was a few shots back but an obvious contender.

Highlights of the first round, The bulk of ties went with qualifying form until we got nearer the end when David Smith, qualifying 23, ousted Sandy Pirie (10), Jim Kinloch (27) got past Francis Clark (6) at the 19th and Bob Stewart (22) beat Colin Christy (11).

Second round started with a bang when Henry Anderson edged out number one seed Iain Stewart by one hole, Further progress for Ron McLellan, Ronnie Maclean, Alan Ferguson, Derek Murphy, George Paterson, Gordon Macdonald and Bob Stewart. This left 4 very good quality quarter finals, each one hard to call. As it happened Henry Anderson ended Ron McLellan’s run with figures of three under par, Ronnie McLean upset the locals by beating Alan Ferguson at the last, George Paterson’s figures of three under par were good enough to oust Derek Murphy, and Bob Stewart won a cracker with Gordon Macdonald with a birdie at the 20th.

And so to Friday and the morning semi finals. In probably the best playing conditions of the week the scoring really took off. In the semi between Ronnie MacLean and Henry Anderson they through no less than 9 birdies at each other. Ronnie was two up with four to go but the resilient Henry squared with birdies at 15 and 17 and then made a brilliant up and down from near the clubhouse window to extend the match to the 19th. However that was a hole too far and Ronnie’s solid par took him into the final. The other semi was also a great match with 6 birdies exchanged. This featured Bob Stewart, aiming to achieve a landmark double of being national stroke and matchplay champion. Up against him the powerful Aberdonian George Paterson, whose golf just got better as the week got older. Bob set out his intent immediately with a birdie at the long par 4 first and held the lead through to a hard fought 2 & 1 victory.

And so to the first ever Scottish Seniors Matchplay final. Two real competitors but always in the spirit of the game and of the Society. Bob drew first blood with a birdie at the second. Ronnie levelled with his own birdie at the fourth and then went ahead for the first time. Bob again gained the advantage with a birdie from 18inches at the 6th and then from 20ft at the 7th for a two. That put him one up at the turn. At the 11th Bob bogeyed and Ronnie holed for par from 20ft. Level again. The crunch hole was probably 15 which Ronnie birdied to go in front at a crucial time. Bob found trees at the 16th to bogey and when Ronnie drove the par 4 17th for a safe birdie 3 it was handshakes all round.

A thrilling match enjoyed by a good gallery and a credit to the skill and stamina of all who reached the latter stages. We are rightly proud of our new championship and know it will continue to grow in prestige and significance as time goes on. This confidence is shared by Abbeyfield Society Scotland who, through our very good member Brian Highley, have offered a sponsorship package specifically for the event.

Drumpellier were excellent hosts and were warmly thanked by captain Gordon Macdonald in his closing remarks.

……..

Scottish Seniors Golfing Society