GOLF — Strong Performances At Gourock Club Championship EventsDESPITE the current challenges, Gourock Golf Club have played all their ‘majors’ this year ensuring at all times that the necessary Covid-19 procedures and protocols were complied with.
The Gents’ Club Championship saw a full field of 52 players compete over 36 holes on the same day.
One of the highlights of the tournament was the performance of junior member John Jack who continues to impress both at a local and national level.
John returned rounds of 73 and 75 for a combined two-over-par total of 148 to take third place.
The runner-up, and therefore winner of the Melrose Trophy, was Robert Clark on an overall total of 146.
Robert shot a one-under-par 72 in the morning and looked to be a strong contender as he went through the turn in the afternoon a further one stroke better than par.
Unfortunately two bogeys at the 11th and 15th holes on the back nine saw Robert drop back to a one-over-par score of 74.
The champion again this year was Steven Higgins who showed he meant business with 15 pars and three birdies in the morning round for an impressive 70 followed up by a par 73 in the afternoon, a round which started with a birdie at the 1st and rather appropriately ended with a further birdie at the 18th hole.
The club congratulates Steven who has now recorded his seventh championship success since his maiden victory in 2008.
The Gents’ Senior Club Championship continues to grow in size and prestige with a strong field of 83 competitors competing over 36 holes with the two rounds straddling a Saturday and Sunday.
The club is once again indebted to WH Kirkwood Limited for their continued sponsorship of this event.
Previous winner Graham Aitken was in third place, scoring a strong level par in round one only to drop away slightly with a score of 82 on the Sunday giving a combined total of 155.
Jeff Tipling, who plays off a handicap of nine, played magnificently over the two days scoring 78 on the Saturday and then went four better on the Sunday for a very impressive aggregate score of 152. Jeff’s second round included birdie two’s at both the 4th and 17th holes.
The winner of the event was Colin Erskine who was down from Banchory Golf Club for the weekend. Renowned for his consistent and steady scoring, Colin recorded a 74 on the Saturday with the only blemish being a bogey-five at the 3rd hole.
Colin then consolidated his position on the Sunday with a four-over-par score of 77 giving a combined score of 151 and therefore just managing to fend off Jeff Tipling’s very strong finish by a single stroke.
The club congratulates to Colin who, with this victory, also chalked up his seventh success in the Seniors’ Championship.
