League Secretary Dave Warren had this unusual shot at the 4th hole at Muirfield, and lipped out! Imagination (and luck) is sometimes the key to great shots!
County Cup 2019 Result!
The final of the 2019 event was played on Saturday 2nd November, between Kilspindie and Longniddry. By mutual consent, the venue was Kilspindie. The format was double foursomes aggregate matchplay. The first Match was played off scratch and the second Match was played off handicap. Kilspindie’s Team comprised Aaron Hall and James Wood, and Callum Kenneally and Jake Johnston. Longniddry fielded two pairs of brothers, Euan and Neil Canavan in the scratch Match, followed by Ryan and Jamie Gallagher in the handicap Match. Scoring was good on the excellent Kilspindie course and both Matches went to the last hole. In the Scratch Match both pairs eagled the 12th hole with 2s, both birdied the 17 with 3s, and they came to the last hole with Kilspindie leading by 2 up, and that hole was halved. In the handicap Match, Longniddry were leading by 1 hole on the final tee, and both Teams drove well left of the green. In fact, Jamie hit it so far left, he put Ryan in the bunker on the right of the 16th Fairway! Ryan hit an incredible shot over the 17th fairway, and over two green-side bunkers, to 25 feet. Jake hit Kilspindie’s 2nd over the green, just short of the OOB. They took 3 more strokes to finish the hole whilst Longniddry two putted to go 2 up and level the Matches on aggregate. Extra holes were then needed. Aaron and James won the 1st with a par 3, but in the second Match, Ryan holed a 5 footer for par to win the hole with Jamie to prolong the Match. At the 2nd hole, a par 5, Euan and Neil made a birdie 4 to win the hole. Because Ryan and Jamie were in receipt of a handicap stroke at the 2nd hole, their 6 net 5 halved the hole with Callum and Jake. So Longniddry emerged at the 20th hole as winners, thus halting Kilspindie’s unique attempt to win 3 titles in a row. Many thanks are due to Kilspindie for hosting the event, and to Captain Mike Mitchell for presenting the trophy. All Team members in the final received prize vouchers including Mollaidh Nicholson and Freya Constable who had represented Kilspindie in earlier rounds.
Kilspindie had been the victors in an outstandingly exciting semi-final match against League Champions Craigielaw, also at Kilspindie. Scores were tied after 18 holes, so both matches, all 8 Players, had to play on until a clear winner emerged. This took an amazing 6 extra holes to decide. Well done to the winners, James Wood and Callum Kenneally, in the scratch match, and to Jake Johnston and Mollaidh Nicholson in the handicap match. Their opponents were Malachy Hayward and Lewis Irvine, and Ryan and Daryl Yuill. West Links gave a walkover in the other semi final.
Pictured below with the trophy are the Longniddry Team. Front L-R Neil and Euan Canavan, Ryan and Jamie Gallagher. Proud parents at the back – Junior Convenor David Canavan, and supporter Gillian Gallagher.
The Kilspindie Team, L-R, Chris Stirling Junior Convenor, Callum Kenneally, James Wood, Jake Johnston, Aaron Hall, and Club Captain Mike Mitchell who presented the prizes.
ELJGL Champs 2019 – Results & CSSs
Thanks are due to all those involved at The Glen for hosting this re-scheduled event. The CSSs were:- Boys U18/U16 – 71, Boys U14 – 70, Boys U12 – 37 points, and the Girls CSS – 73. All Players’ Home Clubs have been notified of the results. Thanks are due to the helpers who assisted throughout the day, and to EL’s Provost John McMillan and Glen’s Lady Captain Sam Frost for presenting the trophies and prizes.
There were 58 Players playing in 3 different age groups for Boys and Girls. Scores below. As well as over £700 worth of vouchers donated by the East Lothian Council, other prizes were kindly donated by the R&A and by Muirfield, and these were also awarded. All trophies were retained by the Secretary for engraving asap. Any unclaimed prizes will be distributed to the winners. There is a full report here, which will also appear in the local Press. Well done to all the prizewinners! Dave Warren, Secretary.
SJTC 2018 Results etc.
Congratulations to Portlethen Juniors for winning the 2nd Scottish Junior Team Championship at their home course on Sunday the 30th September. The format was Stableford, off full handicap, 6 Players to a Team, with the best 5 out of 6 scores to count. The Portlethen Team amassed 179 points, and pipped a strong Gullane Derby Team who scored 174 points. Muckhart Juniors were third with 165 points. The CSS was 37 points. All scores have been notified to Players Home Clubs. I am sending out on 9th October an email to all entrants regarding a review of the rules, requesting feedback etc. The 2019 event will be at Kilmarnock Barassie on the 29th September. Please mark your calendars!
A big thanks are due to the Portlethen Club for hosting this “free to enter” event. In particular, in the absence of the Captain David Fleming, Vice Captain Ian Elmslie stepped in to provide superb assistance with the scoring and prize-giving. Earlier, Junior Convenor Scott Sinclair filled the role of Starter for all 54 Competitors for the 9 Teams who came from all over Scotland, some staying overnight after complimentary access to the course for practice on the day before. The Staff, led by Dino Becci, The Club Secretary, and Margaret Gibb Catering Manager, ensured that the service to Players, Convenors, and Supporters was exceptionally good. The course was in fine condition, the Green-keeping staff prepared very good putting surfaces for their visitors. I have received this note from Scott:- David, thank-you for allowing Portlethen Golf Club to showcase itself to another generation of young golfers. Hopefully the young players will have many fond memories of their time playing our course.
This is the winning Team with their 2 reserves with the trophy and their prizes. L-R they are:- Back Row – Mackenzie Mullen, Ritchie Smart, Finlay Wallace, Brandon Simpson (Junior Team Captain), Pranav Maganti. Front Row – Murray Sinclair, Evan Fulton, William Lloyd.
The next photo is of former SGU President Ian Howarth, the donor of the Trophy, with the Portlethen Team.
Scores and Prizes (Donated by the R&A – worth about £600.)
Scottish Junior Team Champs 2017!
The inaugural Scottish Junior Team Championships were held at Glenbervie on Sunday the 24th September 2017. These are the results CSS was +2 so 34 points were needed to play to handicap. Scores have been sent to Home Clubs. A report will follow on this site and will be circulated by email to Team Organisers asap, along with photos. The winning Team – Craigmillar Park. L-R Lucy Morrison, Cameron Ledingham, Alessio Margiotta, Mark Brooks, Sam Hall, Conor O’ Toole. Their 5 out of 6 counting points totalled 178, Alloa came in second 14 points behind on 164, just pipping Craigielaw and Kilmarnock Barassie both on 163, by a single point. Well done to all 13 Teams from all over Scotland who came to compete!
