David Miller loses a thriller

Sep 4 2009 by Mike Wilson

BARASSIE based Ayr United fan David Miller battled to the final of the Scottish Seniors Matchplay Championship in his rookie season.

Miller, 55, looked to be favourite when he wiped out Aberdeen Links champion George Paterson’s two-hole lead at Newmacher. But Paterson hit back to win 3&2.

Ayrshire Golf Association vice-president Miller admitted: "I just couldn't buy a putt. I probably peaked on Thursday when I was several under par in winning my second round and quarter-final ties. In the semi-final against Stephen Ellis, played in horrible wind and rain, I won 4&3 but I felt my rhythm was going and I never got it back in the final.”

John Broadfoot (Turnberry) lost by one hole to George Paterson from the Aberdeen Northern club in the last 16.

Broadfoot had produced the first surprise when he beat third seed Iain Stewart (Curragh) by two holes in the first round of matchplay. Keith Howie (West Kilbride) lost 5&4 to Gordon McDonald (Callander).

Miller qualified in fourth place on 153 (78,75). Broadfoot (84,81) and Howie (80,85) were both on 165.

lTROON ladies won the Scottish women's foursomes match-play title at Forfar.

In the semi-finals, Sara Ann Bottomley and Angela Ferguson beat Aboyne's Elizabeth Brown and Judy Slater 3&2 while Perth ladies (Myrtle Mailer and Anne Sidey) beat Murcar Links' Donna Pocock and Carol Wilson 3&2.

In the final, Troon, with Irene Smith replacing Angela Ferguson, beat Perth Ladies 2&1.

lMAYBOLE duo Scott McCahill and David Wallace will meet Gary Jordan and Douglas Anderson of Annanhill in the final of the Ayrshire Fourball Championship.

The Annanhill pair secured their place with a 2&1 win away to Kenneth Hankinson and Gibby Lamont of Welbeck. The final will be played at Prestwick St Cuthbert on a date to be arranged.

l2007 winners Irvine Golf Club beat holders Troon Welbeck in the semi finals of the Ayrshire Summer League.

Leading 4½-1½ after the home leg, Irvine lost the return but still secured the two points required to win 6½-5½ overall.

Irvine now await the winners of the other semi between Loudoun and Ballochmyle who drew 3-3 in the first leg. The return is at.Loudoun on Sunday.

lJACK McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) has clinched the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit with only one counting event remaining.

A win at Ballochmyle and a share of first place at Kilmarnock (Barassie) has already secured 703.75 points for McDonald, more than 300 points ahead of his nearest rival.

With only the rearranged Ardeer Boys’ Open to be played on September 6, McDonald has ensured that 2009 will be a memorable year for him, winning the Order of Merit alongside the Scottish Boys' Open Strokeplay Championship earlier this season.

Vouchers will be awarded to the first three places in the Junior Order of merit this season and there are still six players who could make a last ditch bid for a prize slot.

Leading points: 703.75: Jack McDonald (Barassie); 391.25: Scott Johnston (St Cuthbert); 353.75: Craig Telfer (St Cuthbert); 347.50: David Wilson (Welbeck); 300: Andrew Wright (Barassie); 267.50: Marc Smith (Welbeck).

lARDEER are through to the final of the Ayrshire under 16 Knockout Trophy after beating Routenburn 3-1 at home. They will play either Ballochmyle or Kilmarnock (Barassie).

In the League Championship, home advantage was telling in the first leg semi-finals. Ravenspark, bidding for their first final appearance for many years, had a 4-2 win in their opening tie against defending champions Largs. 2008 runners-up West Kilbride took a step closer to a second successive final with a 4½-1½ win over Loudoun.

lKEITH Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) continues to lead the way in the chase for Doc Thom Order of Merit. Remaining counting events are the Largs & Millport Trophy at Largs Routenburn on September 5 and the Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on September 19.

Leading points: 312.50 - Keith Hamilton (Belleisle); 217.50: Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle); 150: John Shanks (Irvine), Scott Brown Brown (Turnberry); 125: John Sloan (Doon Valley); 122.50 : Stephen Murray (Welbeck); 100: Paul Denim (Loudoun), Roddie Blair (West Kilbride); 88.30: Joe Gilligan (Welbeck); 87.50: Ricky Black (Irvine), David Tierney (Belleisle); 80: Tom Green (Ballochmyle); 77.50: John Haggerty (Loudoun); 53.30: Stephen McBlain (St Cuthbert), Del Chamberlain (Welbeck); 50: John Houston (Caprington), Stephen McEwan (Caprington), Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie).

lHOLDERS Largs qualified for their third successive final of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League when they won the semi final second leg against Ravenspark by 5-1.

They now await the winner of the tie between 2008 finalists West Kilbride and Loudon. West Kilbride lead 4½-1½ from the first leg.

In the Wallace Thornton Trophy, Ravenspark are through to the final after a 4-0 win against Ballochmyle. Welbeck need something from their tie against Caprington to go forward to the final.

lPRESTWICK'S Ross Drummond, who led the Scottish Seniors Championship at Fairmont, St Andrews, after the first round and was only two shots off the pace after round two, slipped back to joint 14th after a closing round of 78.

Glenn Ralph from England won the championship to record his maiden victory on the seniors circuit.