St Cuthberts golfer celebrates Prestwick Links win

May 28 2008 Ayrshire Post

GRAEME Gimson (St Cuthbert) is celebrating his first win in the Prestwick Links Championship.

The 20-year-old joiner left an 89 strong field in his wake to capture the Nickson Trophy with a 2&1 victory over the 2006 champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) at Prestwick.

In the semi-finals, Gimson beat clubmate Ray Gill 2&1 while Smyth ousted Jamie Houston (St C) 1 up. Beaten quarter-finalists were defending champion Stephen McBlain, Kevin Fergusson (both St C), Gordon Adams and Stephen King (both St N).

The Boyd Cup went to Peter Slooves who beat Paul Donnelly by two holes in an all St Cuthbert final.

Semi-finals: Donnelly beat Willie Murray (St C) 3&2, Slooves beat Neil Foggo (St N) 3&2.

The prize for the best net aggregate in qualifying went to Stephen McBlain who had rounds of 70 over St Cuthbert and 71 over St Nicholas. Gimson was next with 67 (St N) and 75 (St C). Third top qualifier was Kevin Fergusson on 145. The cut for the last 16 of the Nickson was 152 and 144 net for the Boyd.

Ronnie Watterson (St C) won the prize for the best net aggregate on 137.

Prizes were presented by Tim Morrison, captain of Prestwick Golf Club.