West League Boys Match V Glasgow At Sandyhills Golf Club
23 June 2013

Stirlingshire boys team showed fighting spirit to gain a draw against a strong Glasgow team .

Jamie Hunter ( Falkirk Tryst) lost 6&5 to Glen Burrnet (Haggs Castle )
 Shaun Lynch ( Falkirk ) won 1up to Ross Glass (Cawder )
 Callum Bauchop ( Glenbervie ) lost 3&2 to Blair McIntyre ( Sandyhills )
 Stuart Murray (Falkirk ) lost 2&1 to Aidan Husenne ( Haggs Castle )
 Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie ) won 1up to Matthew Clifford ( Sandyhills )
 Richard Johnston ( Glenbervie ) won 5&3 to Connor Hamill ( Bishopbriggs )
 Stuart Irving ( Falkirk ) lost 2&1 to Callum Fyfe ( Cawder )
 Ben Craggs ( Glenbervie ) won 3&2 to Chris Martin ( Cowglen )

The first team match of the season was played on Sunday 21st April against Fife  over the St. Andrews Jubilee course.

The weather was dry but windy but all the boys were looking forward to play at the home of golf. Fife only had 8 players so our 2 youngest players Thomas Craig (Falkirk)and Craig Jackman (Dunblane New) played together and both enjoyed the day.

After 9 holes things were looking good up in most matches. Jack Hill (Callander), his first match for the County had a great victory over Sam Nicholson from Ladybank with a 5&4 win.
Jamie Hunter (Falkirk Tryst) won on the last hole. Callum Bauchop (Glenbervie) won 3&1 against John Paterson from St Andrews.With the first 3 games won things were looking good, next game was Stuart Murray (Falkirk) with a gutsy half match Against Greg Cessford from Balbirnie. Jamie Simpson (Falkirk) lost 4&3 against Ryan Brown from Dunfermline. Stuart Irving (Falkirk) won 5&4 against Jack Walsh from Kirkcaldy. Next up was Ben Craggs (Glenbervie) with another great display ,Ben won 5&4 against Markus Rikard from Cupar. The Last match was a closely fought match between our own Blair Carnegie (Glenbervie) and Lundin’s Young talet Niall McMullen, the match hung in the balance but after so many great recovery shots from Blair the game finished at the 17th with Blair winning 2&1.

The Final result was Stirlingshire 6 I/2 to Fife 1 1/2.

A great start to the season for the boys and looking forward to our next match on the 26th of May which is a West of Scotland Boys League match against Ayrshire at Falkirk Golf Club.

The Scottish Boys Championship is taking place this week at Monifieth Golf Links. 3 of Stirlingshires finest youngsters have progressed to the last 32 taking place on Thursday morning.

Congratulations go to Stuart Irving (Falkirk G.C.), Ben Craggs and Blair Carnegie both (Glenbervie G.C.)

Unfortunately Stuart Lost his match but both Ben and Blair have moved through to the last 8

Ben will play No.3 seed Ewan Ferguson with Blair playing No. 2 seed Bradley Neil

To reach the last 8 from a field of 256 is a significant acheivement for both boys

Sunday 17th of March 2013 saw the conclusion of the Winter Series take place at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club.

Thanks to all the players who took part who all enjoyed the event. The event took in some prestigeous venues this year with Round 1 played at Lundin Links Golf Club, Round 2 at Monifieth Golf Links, Round 3 at Crail Craighead Links, Round 4 at Scotscraig Golf Club and the final round and prizegiving at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Thank you to all the Golf Clubs who allowed us the use of their facilities. Thanks also to past president Ian Howarth and his wife Audrey for the kind donation to the fund. Thanks also to local professionals Greg McFarlane (Grangemouth), Stewart Craig (Falkirk) and Steven Dunsmore (Falkirk Tryst) for kindly donating prizes and to Titliest who also donated prizes.

As was the past summer, weather conditions this year were particularly tough and at times players were playing in galeforce winds, rain, hail and even snow, but much to their credit some fine performances were produced.

For the first time this year there were 4 members of our current gents “A” team squad playing, and the knowledge and understanding of the game they passed on to the younger players will be invaluable as they progress through golf. So thanks to David Buchannan (Falkirk Tryst), Chris Lawton (Falkirk Tryst), Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) and Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) for the commitment to the series.

Final Results

Under 14

Winner               Jamie Hunter (Falkirk Tryst)

2nd                     Calum Bauchop (Glenbervie)

3rd                      Craig Jackman (Dunblane New)

4th                      Thomas Craig (Falkirk)

Under 16

Winner                 Stuart Irving (Falkirk)

2nd                       Stuart Murray (Falkirk)

3rd                        James Yarnell (Glenbervie)

4th                        Lee Gordon (Stirling)

Under 18

Winner                  Ben Craggs (Glenbervie)

2nd                        Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New)

3rd                         Jamie Simpson (Falkirk)

4th                         Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie)

Youths

Winner                   Liam Haldane (Stirling)

2nd                         Greg Nicoll (Glenbervie)

3rd                          Andrew Grant (Dunblane New)

4th                           Calum Bissett (Glenbervie)

Gents

Winner                     David Buchannan (Falkirk Tryst)

2nd                           Chris Lawton (Falkirk Tryst)

3rd                           Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth)

4th                            Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)

The Winners Trophy which was donated in 2010 by Only One Properties in Larbert was won by Ben Craggs (Glenbervie)

After 2 events of this years Winter Series, at Lundin Links and Monifieth, where we have had some fantastic scores and perfomances. Event 3 will take place on Sunday 27th January 2013 at Crail on Craighead Links. Please see below the current league positions for each age group.

Gents

David Buchannan (Falkirk Tryst)             75 points from 2 events

Chris Lawton (Falkirk tryst)                      68 points from 2 events

Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth)                  59 points from 2 events

Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)                           34 points from 1 event

Aidan Grounds (Falkirk Tryst)                 31 points from 1 event

Youths

Liam Haldane (Stirling)                            61 points from 2 events

Greg Nicoll (Glenbervie)                         52 points from 2 events

Andrew Grant (Dunblane New)               50 points from 2 events

Dariusz Kunecki (Stirling)                       35 points from 1 event

Calum Bissett (Glenbervie)                    22 points from 1 event

U18’s all 2 events

Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New)              66 points

Ben Craggs (Glenbervie0                        65 points

Jamie Simpson (Falkirk)                            59 points

Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie)                     54 points

U 16’s all 2 events

Stuart Irving (Falkirk)                               64 points

Lee Gordon (Brucefield)                         45 points

Stuart Murray (Falkirk)                             44 points

James Yarnell (Falkirk)                            39 points

U 14’s all 2 events

Calum Bauchop (Glenbervie)                41 points

Jamie Hunter (Falkirk Tryst)                   40 points

Thomas Craig (Falkirk)                           38 points

Craig Jackman (Falkirk)                          36 points

STIRLINGSHIRE VICTORIOUS

Saturday 15th September saw 2 youth teams of 3 travel to Ralston Golf Club for the annual  Youths Area Team Championship at Ralston Golf Club Glasgow. Team one consisted of Ryan Campbell (Falkirk), Ben Craggs (Glenbervie) and Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New), team two was Greg Nicoll (Glenbervie), Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie) and Jamie Simpson (Falkirk).

Team two struggled through the day finishing well down the field, however team one was a different story altogether. With the best 2 scores from the each round counting to the total, we achieved a morning total of 144 putting us in 3rd place, counting scores Ryan Campbell 71 and Ben Craggs 73, discarded score Blair Carnegie 76. The afternoon round saw some fantastic golf from Blair Carnegie who shot 67, added to another 71 from Ryan Campbell giving an afternoon total of 138. Ben Craggs shot 74 in the afternoon.

An overall total of 282 saw us pip the hosts Glasgow Golf Union on countback for the top team prize.  Ryan Campbell finished 4th in the individual competition with Blair Carnegie finishing 5th

This is the first time Stirlingshire have won this trophy, so thanks and congratulations to Ryan, Ben and Blair. Thanks also must go to Glasgow Golf Union for their hospitality on the day and Ralston Golf Club who provided a course in excellent condition.

The boys match V Renfrewshire Golf Union took place on Sunday 2nd September at Glenbervie Golf Club.  The County Executive would like to thank Glenbervie for stepping in at the last moment after original venue Aberfoyle succumbed to the weather.

This was the most encouraging performance of the season so far with 3 players making their first appearances for Stirlingshire. A special mention for one of the new players Stuart Murray from Falkirk Golf Club, who played some excellent golf to win his first match 3&1. Other new boys Lee Gordon from Stirling and Richard Johnston from Glenbervie were unfortunate to come out losing in very close matches. Please find the full result below.

Stuart Murray (Falkirk) 3&1 V Josh Beatt (Fereneze)

Lee Gordon ( Sirling) V 4&2 Kyle Turner (Cochrane Castle)

Calum Bauchop (Glenbervie) V 1 up Andrew McColl (Erskine)

Stuart Irving (Falkirk) 3&2 V Ross Robertson (Old Ranfurly)

Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) V 1 up Calum Aiken (Kilmalcolm)

Jamie Simpson (Falkirk) V 1 up Andrew Guthrie (Erskine)

Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie) 4&3 V Ross McGinness (Eastwood)

Ben Craggs (Glenbervie) 1 up V Scott Ewing (Elderslie)

Final Result Stirlingshire 4 Renfrewshire 4

Dunblane New Golf Club Champion for 2012, Blair Carnegie was defeated in the final of the Merchant Cup at St. Andrews.

Blair qualified for the Merchant Cup as number 30 seed scoring 2 over par 72 in the qualifying round on Monday. In his 1st round match he defeated Ross Dallas (Kirriemuir) who was number 3 seed, in round 2 he defeated Benjamin David (Colchester) who was number 14 seed, round 3 saw him beat number 6 seed Jake Hogg (Dukes).

the semi-final was a fantastic victory against an England U18 player Louis Tomlinson (West Lancashire), who had defeated Stuart Irving (Falkirk) in round 2.

The semi-final and the final took place on the Old Course. The final was against Liam Sutton another England U18 player. It was a very closely fought match with Blair eventually losing out on the 22nd hole.

The Stirlingshire County Executive would like to congratulate Blair on his achievements, this year and wish him all the best for the remainder of the season.

The West League boys match against Glasgow Golf Union took place on Sunday 22nd July, at Balfron Golf Club. Our thanks go to Balfron for the use of their facilities on the day and presenting the course in such excellent condition. Many of the players from both teams commented on the condition following the match.

Unfortunately Stirlingshire lost out 5 – 3 in a closely fought encounter. Wins for Stuart Irving, Cameron Buist and Peter Maxwell were not enough on the day. There were encouraging performances from new recruits Calum Beauchop ( Glenbervie ) and Jamie Simpson ( Falkirk ) who both lost out narrowly to players with much lower handicaps. Full result as follows, Stuart Irving (Falkirk) won 4&2 V Aidan Huseanne (Haggs Castle), Shaun Lynch (Falkirk) lost 5&4 V Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle), Calum Beauchop (Glenbervie) lost 3&1 V Calum Fyfe (Cawder), Jamie Hunter (Falkirk Tryst) lost 7&5 V Fraser Davren (Williamwood), Cameron Buist (Dunblane New) won 4&3 V Matin McKenna (Cathcart Castle), Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie) won 3&1 V Blair Dalgliesh (Ralston), Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New) lost 3&2 V Gary Foley (Ralston), Jamie Simpson (Falkirk) lost 1 down V Craig Anderson (Sandyhills).

This may be a first time anywhere that 4 players out of the 8 in the Stirlingshire team were left handed.

The first match of the season took place on Sunday 27th May against Dunbartonshire at Vale of Leven Golf Club.

In perfect weather conditions, but a tricky course where local knowledge was probably the most important factor, we were soundly defeated 8-0. In a Stirlingshire team that only 2 of the 8 players had represented the county in a competitive match, despite the heavy defeat there were a couple of encouraging performances. Colin McGregor from Brucefields G.C. was narrowly defeated by one of Dunbartonshires experienced players and Jack Gater from Dunblane New G.C. was also narrowly defeated.

Individual Results

Ross Spence (Falkirk) lost 6&5 to Cameron Black (Cardross)

Craig Bryson (Falkirk) lost 8&7 to James Wilson (Hilton Park)

Jamie Hunter (Falkirk Tryst) lost 7&6 to Paul Delaney (Balmore)

Jack Gater (Dunblane New) lost 3&1 to Hamish Mills (Cardross)

Stuart Irving (Falkirk) lost 1 hole to George Duncan (Windyhill)

Mark McInulty (Glenbervie) lost 2 holes to Robert Johnston(Helensburgh)

Colin McGregor (Brucefields) lost 1 hole to Chris McLean (Clydebank & Dist)

Connor Murphy (Bonnybridge) lost 5&3 to Sam Fitsimmons (Windyhill)