Lothians Golf Association
Champion of Champions and Handicap Matchplay reach Final matches
FINALS
On a gloriously sunny evening and temperatures high, the finalists took to the excellently presented greens of Longniddry GC.
In the Champion of Champions final it was local lad Kenny Glen (Craigielaw) taking on Midlothian's Stephen Lamb of Glencorse. It was Stephen who took an early lead with a birdie at the 3rd, before Kenny won the 4th, 6th and 7th to take a two hole lead. A further win at the 9th gave Kenny a commanding lead and despite a little bit of a fight back from Stephen it was Kenny who went on to win further holes and see the match out 5&4. This adds to the enormous success of the Craigielaw Club in recent years and the first time a Craigielaw member has won the COC.
Kenny is pictured here at the start with Stephen and also receiving the trophy as the new Champion of Champions.
In the HMP Final it was Stewart Leslie (Observers) against Murray Sykes (Buckstone) and it was Stewart who took the early spoils taking a two hole advantage at the 4th. But Murray had his moments and soon had the game back to square at the 10th. This closely contested match showed the calibre of the Handicap players so much so that Stewart having been clawed back took the 11th and 12th to recover his lead. Murray, however, set about another recovery to get into the game and having halved 13 and 14 he managed a win at the 15th to take the game back to one. But it was Stewart who came good in the end with a win at the 17th to take the title 2&1.
Stewart is pictured here at the start with Murray (Left) and also receiving his trophy from the LGA President Jean Macnab.
All in all a great two days of golf and our sincere thanks go to Longniddry GC for the excellent course and their hosting of this event.
SEMI FINALS
On a great evening weather wise in East Lothian, the Semi Final matches took place on an excellently presented Longniddry Course. The Champion of Champions ties got the evenings events underway, and it was Stephen Lamb (Glencorse) that took an early lead against Jamie Duguid (Dunbar Castle) in the first of the two matches. Stephen held his nerve throughout and with further holes being won managed to ease through 4&3. In the other Semi Final it was Lothians team player, Kenny Glen that got himself ahead against Malcolm Campbell and really didn't look back managing to close the match at the 15th, winning 4&3.
So Thursday's final will be an interesting affair, with Stephen trying to emulate Glencorse's George MacGregor who won this competition in 1964 and Kenny attempting to add yet another title for the recently very successful Craigielaw Club.
In the Handicap Matchplay, with several spectators from BBT supporting their player, Ricky Simpson (BBT), it was to be disappointing night for Ricky as Stewart Leslie (Observers) rallied in the match and ran out a comfortable winner 6&5 on the night. The second Semi Final was a very much closer run thing, with both players producing some excellent golf with Murray Sykes (Buckstone) producing the vital shots when it mattered beating Matthew Neill (Westermont) by 1 hole.
We now move on to the Final matches both being played again at the Longniddry GC on Thursday, 11 August 2022
COC - 5.00pm Stephen Lamb versus Kenny Glen
HMP - 5.15pm Stewart Leslie versus Murray Sykes
We look forward to seeing the players and any interested spectators on the night.
PRE- SEMI FINAL INFORMATION
After nearly Five months of matches across the Lothians the Champion of Champions and the Handicap Matchplay have reached the Semi Final stages, where Longniddry Golf Club will host both the Semi Finals and the Finals.
The venue is a fitting challenge to the players who have seen their way through to this stage.
In the Champion of Champions,
The first Semi Final will see Jamie Duguid, representing Dunbar Castle GC taking on Stephen Lamb of Glencorse with the second Semi Final between Kenny Glen (Craigielaw) and Malcolm Campbell (Swanston)
In the Handicap Matchplay it is success for four of the Affiliate Clubs representatives that have reached the last four stage.
In the first Semi Final, Ricky Simpson (BBT) takes on Stewart Leslie (Observers) and in the second Semi Final, Murray Sykes (Buckstone) plays Matthew Neill (Westermont)
This is a measure of success for Westermont who only this year reformed their club and re-joined the Association.
The match order and Tee Times for the Semi Finals which are being played on Tuesday, 9 August 2022 is as follows
COC Semi Final 1 - 4.50pm - Jamie Duguid versus Stephen Lamb
COC Semi Final 2 - 5.00pm - Kenny Glen versus Malcolm Campbell
HMP Semi Final 1 - 5.10pm - Ricky Simpson versus Stewart Leslie
HMP Semi Final 2 - 5.20pm - Murray Sykes versus Matthew Neill
The Winners will head to Longniddry GC on Thursday, 11 August 2022 in the hope of getting their names on the trophies.
The tee times for the Finals are;
COC FINAL at 5.00pm and the HMP FINAL at 5.15pm
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