What a fabulous weekend of golf in stunning surroundings at Eyemouth Golf Club as Midlothian set out to defend the Scottish County Challenge Trophy. Their opponents were North, Borders and Lanarkshire.
Thursday practice was in a stiff westerly wind under sunny skies. The greens were firm and slick giving challenging putts. The players took advantage of the westerly to take on the tee shot from the white tees at the signature sixth hole, all hitting the green before teeing off from the Scottish Golf tees for the competition again hitting the green. Good Omens? The coming days would tell.
Friday’s opponents North were strong opposition in WSW wind gusting to 25mph. The morning foursomes going in Midlothian’s favour 2-1. The 11th and 15th greens proving a very difficult challenge. Midlothian won the singles 4-2 finishing the day winners with 6-3 game points.
Saturday dawned with blue skies and this summers elusive sun in full glory. Sun lotion all round in 20c and a fresh ESE breeze. Our opponents Borders, had a little home advantage, however the morning foursomes resulted in 2-1 again. The afternoon remained sunny and the breeze completely lay down giving respite to everyone’s rosy cheeks. The singles were tight with the final match going to the last green for a half and Midlothian edging 3.5 – 2.5 and an overall match result of 5.5 – 3.5. Meanwhile North and Lanarkshire traded results to end in a 4.5-4.5 tie.
With the overnight lead in terms of match points of 2 to Lanarkshire’s 1.5 it was all to play for on the final day, Lanarkshire needed to win and Midlothian at needed at least a draw to win and retain the trophy from last years win at Hilton Park G.C. .
The morning foursomes were played under heavy cloud and a stiff ESE wind. The players and caddies wrapped up warm for the chilly conditions. Midlothian edged the morning session with 2-1 win. The afternoon singles started as the clouds gathered and the chilly wind continued to gust and drift the balls, particularly on the green!
Kate, Rachael, Karen, Wendy, Megan and Caroline all teed off, with Anne and Hilary joining in the caddying – finally the wind calmed down as the team turned to the back nine. Rachael secured our first point, we needed just 1.5 more – a nervy hour ensued before Kate got the half, Wendy got the point to secure the trophy and Megan brought in a half on the 18th to give us a win on the final day 5-4!
Tremendous result winning all 3 days – and winning back to back for the first time since 1933! Another historic fact – shared by Maggie McPherson who was MCLGA Captain in 2005 when Midlothian won the trophy for the first time in 70 years beating the same 3 opponents when it was held at Ranfurly Castle!
All match results can be found on the Scottish Golf website: Interclub competition – Scottish Golf.
Thanks go to Eyemouth Golf Club, Club Captain John Walker and Lady Captain Helen Burgon, caterers George and Heather Aitchison and team (best scampi by miles!), the green staff for presenting the course in fabulous but tough condition, (we will talk about the 11th and 15th for many weeks to come!) Scottish Golf for organising and our opponents for great sport played in the best traditions of the game. And of course to our caddies, Moyra Statham, Angela Hughes, Sal Shepherd, Pat Wood, Letty McKinnon, Jacky Burnett, Gail Mathieson, Lucy Fraser, Nicky Graham, Caroline McIntosh, Kate Rorke, our President Margaret Fergusson and all our superb supporters who helped the team achieve a fabulous and memorable success, nothing better than approaching a green and seeing familiar faces there to cheer that putt when it drops!
A special thanks to Linda Wemyss, our selector who retires at this years AGM and to Elaine Lumsden who will take on this important voluntary role.
