Bob Stewart Heads the Elgin Marvels


Elgin course was set up brilliantly for the Scottish Seniors and several testing par fours ensured that level par was going to be at or near the peak of achievement. The gorse was in full bloom and was a real ball magnet. Nobody escaped without a tale of woe or two.

It was almost inevitable that there would be thrills and spills at the climax and so it proved to be. Fittingly our new champion, the Tulliallan Express, had the lowest last 36 aggregate (139) by four shots and was also the only player to match par on any of the three rounds.

Despite that excellence, the result was in doubt right to the end. Bob found himself in clear air after birdies at 2,5,8 and 11 put him three under par. The appropriately named Hardhillock course has a habit of biting back and bogeys at 14,16 and the tough 18th left him feeling that his aggregate was a bit vulnerable.

The challenge when it came was from Iain Stewart, the redoubtable Dublin based “Bankie.” Iain felt that the luck associated with his adopted homeland deserted him as his second at the 18th deflected off a distance marker and cost him a double bogey. That took the pair into sudden death playoff and Iain’s luck did not improve at the first extra hole as his pushed tee shot ended up in a poor lie in the trees leaving the way open for Bob to secure a winning par.

Overall a great advert for the growing power of the Society. We had 19 players in the top 22 from a field containing many notable raiders from beyond the borders. The Hutch made a strong defence of his title in joint third and picked up useful OOM points as well as the over 65s trophy. Many of the usual suspects, messrs Murphy, MacDonald, Watt, Grieve and Johnston all featured in the top ten.

And so to Stirling……

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.

On 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.