IAN PORTER recovered from a discouraging start to finish top of the first class section in the September McDonald stableford medal competition at Helensburgh Golf Club.

Porter’s failure to score a point on the relatively easy opening hole might have given him a low expectation for the rest of his round, but three birdies and a two-over-par inward half gave him a final tally of 37 points and a score which was enough to edge out Mark Earwaker for first place by virtue of the better inward half.

Gemma Canham was the top lady in the first class competition with 35 points, one point ahead of Sarah Kemp.

READ MORE: 99 Burgh golfers lock horns in battle for medal honours

Three players tied each with 36 points in the second class section, but Ewen Cameron pipped Josh Oakes and Ray Ford for top spot, finishing with three pars to give him the best inward half.

The third class prize was won by Steven Slee with 40 points, some four shots better than his handicap. Paul Rattray’s 39 points gave him the runner’s up place.

Meanwhile, the September senior midweek medal was easily won by Alan Armstrong; playing five shots under his handicap, his tally of 42 points left the rest of the field in his wake as he finished four points ahead of runner up Alistair McKenzie.

Elsewhere this week, Alan Blackstock dropped seven shots to par in his first six holes in the September Anderson Cup – but 10 pars in his final 12 holes secured first place in the first class section with a net 66.

Gents’ club champion Peter Haggarty matched that net 66 with a gross 67, the lowest round of the day, including five birdies, but a bogey at the last hole cost him first place on the count back.

READ MORE: Gents and ladies champions crowned on finals day at Helensburgh Golf Club

Despite that dropped shot at the 18th, his excellent score was still enough to bring his handicap back to scratch.

In the second class section of the competition, David Kennedy made most of his scoring in the opening nine holes but held on in the inward nine to secure top spot with a net 69, playing off a handicap of 16.

Bill Lawler came second with a net 70, despite birdie twos at both the ninth and 16th par three holes.

In the third class Paul Rattray made up for only finishing runner-up in the previous competition with an impressive net 65, playing off a handicap of 21.

His success reduces his handicap by two shots.

Runner-up in the third class was Scott Kennedy with a net 70.

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