19/04/12
Cathkin Braes duo Lindsay Ross and Douglas McIntosh today led the eight teams who progressed from the opening Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Regional Qualifier of 2012.
The national championship for Scotland's captains and secretaries, open to all SGU affiliated golf clubs, is one of the country’s most popular events and is now in its seventh year.
Five regional qualifiers in the North, South, East, West and Central regions of Scotland take place this season, ahead of the Grand Final at Pollok on 19 September.
Following a postponement due to the surprise return of snow on 3 April, the rescheduled East qualifier was played today.
Crail Golfing Society hosted a field of 27 clubs, with the links in excellent condition ahead of the second SGU Men’s Order of Merit event of the year at the course on Saturday.
Over the par-72 layout, Ross and McIntosh claimed success after a six-under-par 66 in the 4-ball better ball stroke play format with a 3/4 handicap allowance.
Due to an injury, committee member Ross, a nine-handicapper, was a late replacement to join course manager McIntosh, playing off two, in the competition.
But the pair dove-tailed perfectly, helped by McIntosh firing five birdies on his own ball, as they triumphed by two strokes.
Burntisland Golf House Club duo Graham Turzynski, the captain, and administrator Alastair Maxwell secured the runner-up berth after a 68.
Also in the prizes in third spot were David Walker and John Henderson from Kinghorn Thistle thanks to a 69, edging out Lundin 1937 and Dunnikier Park by courtesy of a better inward half.
The three other top-eight qualifiers, all carding 70’s, were Balbirnie Park, Baberton and Lundin.
A special presentation was made to Alek Moffat (Canmore) who achieved the fifth hole in one of his golfing days after a seven-iron ace at the 13th.
The next Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Regional Qualifier is at Crieff on 17 May.