HELENSBURGH’S golfers were among the first sportsmen, and sportswomen, to return to action when lockdown limits were first eased at the end of May – and with almost three months of action under their belt, competitive golf is now well under way at the local course.
Favourable weather has produced great conditions at Helensburgh Golf Club in recent weeks, and with that some excellent scoring in the club’s competitions.
The focus presently is the club championship qualifying medals, in which each of the three handicap classes have their own competitions, with 12 places in the knockout matchplay section for each class.
The first class medal qualifying rounds produced some spectacular scoring, with previous multiple winner of the Hood Trophy, Peter Haggarty, taking the top seeding as he aims for a 13th Helensburgh gents’ title. He was followed by another previous champion, Keith Baird.
In total, four previous club champions made it to the matchplay stages of the first class, along with a previous club champion from Cardross Golf Club, John McMahon, who moved his membership to Helensburgh this year.
READ MORE: Helensburgh rugby youngsters return to training after lockdown
Golfers in the ‘second class’ handicap section compete for the Peel Trophy for their championship, and the top qualifier this year was Chris Stewart, with second seeding going to Craig Stirling.
The 1963 Trophy for the third class golfers saw Craig Smith emerge as top seed for the matchplay rounds, with Danny Kemp in second place.
The 12 golfers who have made it through to the matchplay stages of each competition are battling it out this week to determine the finalists for each of the three competitions, which were played on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the August senior medal, David Graham would have completed his round with aspirations of winning the medal with a fine score of 42 stableford points – only to be blown away by John Friel, who scored an outrageous 47 stableford points, 11 shots below his handicap.
The club’s handicap convener will have his eye on John after that impressive performance.
Read all the latest sport headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here