A TOTAL of 140 players – 120 gents and 20 ladies – took to the fairways for the Captain’s Day at Helensburgh Golf Club, one of the most popular events in the club’s fixture calendar.

Alan Birnie and Russell Makeham were way ahead of the pack in the gents’ first class, both posting scores well below thier handicaps – though Russell was left to rue his double bogey at the 17th, which meant he missed out on the prize by one shot as Alan won the trophy with 41 points after an one-over-par inward nine which included two birdies.

Gordon English won the second class trophy with 44 points, three ahead of the field – his gross 77 was one of his best rounds and included nine pars and a birdie.

Danny Kemp recovered from a poor start to his round to win the third class trophy: after failing to score points on either of his first two holes, he recorded six pars and a birdie in the remainder of his round to accumulate 42 points, one ahead of Filippo Madonia and Alastair McKenzie.

The ladies’ competition was fiercely contested, with Sarah Kemp and lady captain June Haggarty vying for top spot.

Sarah had a superb start to her round, with six straight pars, but had a couple of bad holes before finishing with a birdie four for a total of 37 stableford points.

June’s round was more consistent, and with nine pars – including, crucially, one at the last hole – she pipped Sarah to lift the trophy.

Captain David Lutwyche capped a great day by presenting the trophies to the winners.

In the 11 hole Monday medal, Robin Gall and Roy Nesbitt both recorded 27 points, five shots below their handicaps.

The final hole proved significant with Robin’s par three, two shots better than Roy, giving him first place.