On a sunny but ‘breezy’ morning Ken Smith has won the Club Championship for a record seventh time, defeating club Captain Andy Lothian in a very close contest.

In the Millennium Trophy Jim Crawford recorded a first victory in another close match with Keith Baillie.

In the Club Championship Ken took a commanding early lead by winning the first three holes but any thoughts that this would turn into a one sided contest were quickly banished when Andy turned the tables by winning holes 4,5 and 6 to square the match. Ken won the 8th and the match turned one up. Another win at the 10th put Ken two ahead but Andy pulled a hole back with a fine par at 12 before Ken restored his two hole advantage at the short par 4 14th.

A superb 50 yard putt from off the green at 15 enabled Ken to deny what looked a likely win for Andy and at the short 16th Ken had a fifteen foot putt from just off the front of the green for a birdie and a 3 and 2 victory. The putt missed by an inch to leave the match at Dormy 2.

A wayward drive at 17 from Ken enabled Andy to take advantage and win the hole. Both players bunkered their tee shots on 18 and after Ken had three putted from 55 feet Andy holed a tricky five footer to take the match back up the first.

Andy found a fairway bunker from the tee and couldn’t quite recover after Ken had found the green in two.

So, a record seventh Club Championship win for Ken in an excellent match played in difficult conditions and fine Dun Whinny spirit.

The Millennium was equally close fought with Keith staging a magnificent fight back from dormy 4 down to take the match to the 18th green. However Jim held his nerve and holed out for a fine win.

Congratulations to both winners and commiserations to the unlucky losers – both matches were a fine advertisement for the club.

Ken and Andy after their match