GOLF — International Competitors For Whinhill’s Junior Open
THIRTY-seven young golfers took part in Whinhill Golf Club’s Junior Open competition — including six Italians on a golfing holiday.
Home player Darren Church was declared winner for the second year in a row (the first player to achieve this) after returning an excellent nett score of 60.
All Juniors were, once again, announced on to the tee Tommy Holleran who has been a great supporter of the Junior Open and the club’s Junior Section for many years.
The course was presented in good condition with the greenkeepers valiantly fighting an unusual battle against the prolonged dry spell which took it’s toll on some parts of the course. The weather (although dull and overcast and threatening to bring rain) remained dry throughout the day, with a noticeable wind the only factor the players had to contend with.
This year the Junior Open became an international event with six entries from young Italian golfers, above, from Golf Del Ducato near Parma who played the competition while on a golfing holiday to Scotland with their golf coach Fabrizio Sintich, a former European Challenge Tour player and coach of the Italian ladies’ national team.
From left, Liam Moodie, Giulio Zannichelli, Whinhill Golf Club captain Paul Meechan, Darren Church and Ashton McLean
Darren was a clear winner by five shots from Giulio Zannichelli of Golf Del Ducato and Whinhill’s own Liam Moodie, who both had the consolation of taking home the top prize in each of their handicap sections. The scratch section prize went to Ashton McLean of Dumbarton Golf Club with a four over par score of 70 helped with an eagle ‘2’ at the third hole.
Scottish Golf Union vouchers were up for grabs for the first four placed competitors in the Handicap A, Handicap B and Scratch sections. There were also prizes to be won at every hole, with the holes being sponsored by members and friends of the club. ‘Longest Drive’ or ‘Nearest the Pin’ at each hole saw lucky Juniors walking away with prizes which ranged from umbrellas and gloves to golf balls and towels. Any Junior with a ‘2’ on their scorecard was rewarded with a sleeve of golf balls. Every Junior received a goody-bag.
The Pre-Handicap Section involved 17 young golfers — four coming from Port Glasgow Golf Club — playing a competition over five shortened holes. The standard of golf on show was excellent, from all youngsters, above, in this category, with the ages ranging from seven to 14. The winner of this event was Nicholas Keogh of Whinhill Golf Club who returned a very good score of 24.
Results
Overall Winner: Darren Church (Whinhill G.C.) 60
Scratch Section:
1st Place: Ashton McLean (Dumbarton G.C.) 70 2nd Place: Aaron McCue (Whinhill G.C.) 73
3rd Place: John Jack (Jnr) (Millport G.C.) 79
4th Place Scott Newman (Kilmacolm G.C.) 80
Handicap Section A:
1st Place: Giulio Zannichelli (Golf Del Ducato) 65
2nd Place: Aidan Robertson (Whinhill G.C.) 68 and Auberto Rozzi (Golf Del Ducato) 68
4th Place: Riccardo Peretto (Golf Del Ducato) 70
Handicap Section B:
1st Place: Liam Moodie (Whinhill G.C.) 65
2nd Place: Matthew Currie (Gourock G.C.) 68
3rd Place: David Carpentier (Whinhill G.C.) 80
4th Place: Mikey Dorrian (Whinhill G.C.) 81
Five-Hole Pre-Handicap Section:
1st Place: Nicholas Keogh (Whinhill G.C.) 24
2nd Place: Ross Docherty (Whinhill G.C.) 26
3rd Place: Lewis Nelson (Whinhill G.C.) 27
Whinhill Golf Club thank all the clubs in the local area who had Juniors representing them in the competiWtion for their support — Dumbarton G.C., Eastwood G.C., Gourock G.C., Kilmacolm G.C., Millport G.C., Port Glasgow G.C. and Skelmorlie G.C. All visiting Juniors were a credit to their clubs with their conduct both on and off the golf course.
The club is grateful to Gerry Grant and Grants Family Butchers of Johnstone for coming on board as the main sponsor of this year’s competition.
The club thank the greenkeepers, Sharon and the bar/catering staff, John Burden, Derek Church, Craig Love and Nathan Love for their help in the organisation and running of the Junior Open competition.
Whinhill Golf Club also thank PDC Copyprint (Greenock), D.F. Plumbing, David Adams, Albert Bruce, Craig Docherty, Stephen Donald, Alison Dorrian, John Ellis, Peter Folan, Phil Gill, Gary Havlin, Alan Hendry, Kenny Lever, Jim Logue, Craig Love, Andy Mallon, Brian Mallon, Hugh Mallon, Sharon McCauley, Aaron McCue, Peter McFadyen, Carol McLaughlin, Paul Meechan, Mitchell Ogilby, David Pearson, Michael Ross, David Watson and Willie Wilson for sponsoring holes at the competition.
