Craig McGann won the 2015 Club Championship defeating David Orr 5/4 in the 36 hole final. This was Craig’s third success having previously lifted the title in 2003 and 2013.

As was the case with all the match play ties during the week the final was played in great spirit with some excellent golf to add.

Craig got off to the better start with wins at 2, 4 and 5 to build a 3 hole cushion which was then extended to 4 at the 10th. However David stuck in and won the 11th and 12th to get back to 2 down. The next 5 holes all halved in pars before both players had trouble at the 18th with Craig managing a par thanks to an excellent approach shot to go into lunch 3up.

Craig then won the 20th to extend his lead to 4 but David immediately fought back to win 21, 22 and 23 to reduce the deficit to just one. However with a somewhat killer blow second shot to 8 feet at the par 5 24th Craig holed out for an eagle and then won 25 and 26 to go back to 4up. Craig then won 28 to go to 5up, lost 29 but won the 30th with a birdie 3. Pars at 31 and 32 were enough to close out the match by 5/4.

The majority of the earlier match play ties were all closely contested none more so than the first round tie between Craig McGann and Neil Rankin which had to stop on Monday at the 21st due to lack of light and eventually finished at the 22nd on Wednesday evening.

Club Championship Round 1 K A Wilkie Bt J Crawford 5/4, D Orr Bt T Green 19th, C Jackman Bt R Anderson 19th, A Cowie Bt B Deakin 1up, A Grant Bt N Panton 3/2, V O’Holloran Bt H Barton 2/1, G Whitelaw Bt M Scott 1up, C McGann Bt N Rankin 22nd. Round 2 Orr Bt Wilkie 20th, Jackman Bt Cowie 4/2, Grant Bt O’Holloran 5/4, McGann Bt Whitelaw 2/1. Semi Final Orr Bt Jackman 1up, McGann Bt Grant 2/1. Final McGann Bt Orr 5/4.

The Kirkland Trophy, the Handicap Championship, was won by Alan Kerr (10) with a 3/2 victory over Jim Gardner (12). Again the match was closely contested with Jim taking an early lead on two occasions but having got back to all square Alan then won 8, 9 and 10 to build up a 3 hole lead which he held on to despite a stutter at 15.

Kirkland Trophy Round 1 J L Gardner (12) Bt R Cullens (14) 3/2, W J Begg (16) Bt H MacLelland (12) 5/4, G Hally (12) Bt J P McIntosh (13) 1up, I Campbell (11) Bt J Brailsford (8) 2/1, D Steen (13) Bt J Young (13) 19th, D Wangert (10) Bt D M Neville (10) 3/1, D Wangert (10) Bt D M Neville (10) 3/1, A Kerr (10) Bt D Webster (7) 5/4, S Sheridan (16) Bt C Anderson (7) 2/1. Round 2 Gardner (12) Bt Begg (16) 2up, Campbell (11) Bt Hally 2up, Wangert (1) Bt Steen (13) 3/2, Kerr (10) Bt Sheridan (16) 3/1. Semi Final Gardner (12) Bt Campbell (11) 3/2, Kerr (10) Bt Wangert (10) 4/3. Final Kerr (10) Bt Gardner (12) 3/2.

The Junior Championship for the Hay Shield was played between the identical Mitchell twins which gave referee Hunter McKay a real problem. However in the end Ben came out on top by 4/3 to defeat brother Ross who was the defending champion from 2014.

The Lister Watson Trophy for the Junior Handicap Championship was won by Ben Mace (10) who defeated Scott Hasell (15) on the last green. Scott did well to stay in the game after Ben was two under par after the first 4 holes.

The Ochlochy Quaich 5 club competition is on Wednesday (24th). Next weekend is the Tait Trophy, which goes to the best net score for players with handicap 15 and over, but there is a Medal competition for all levels.

Members are reminded the Kippendavie Gents Open is on Sunday 5th July. Tee times are still available and can be requested on the Entry Lists in the locker room.