25/04/12
The SGU Seniors Order of Merit swings into action tomorrow, with the first event of the new season taking place at Powfoot for the South of Scotland Seniors Championship.
Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) could well be the man to beat again in the months ahead after he claimed the Order of Merit title in 2011.
Stewart, who was honoured for his achievement at last month’s Annodata Scottish Golf Awards in Glasgow, edged out Gordon Macdonald from Callander to top the standings.
Stewart capped an impressively consistent season by wrapping up merit success with victory in the final counting event over Blairgowrie’s Lansdowne Course.
Bob, who achieved a formidable 687.50-point haul from 10 counting events, won the Order of Merit Finals Day in September, adding to his other memorable triumph in the South Seniors at Powfoot a year ago.
Stewart fired rounds of 74 and 71 to triumph by two shots from a trio of players, David J Miller (Kilmarnock (Barassie)), Alan O’Neill (West Lothian) and Fraser McCluskey (Royal Burgess).
Bob also recorded three additional top-six finishes in 2011 to finish over 100 points clear of Macdonald in the end of year standings.
Macdonald, who won the North of Scotland Seniors Championship at Elgin, finished ahead of Miller (third) and McCluskey (fourth) in the overall merit rankings, with Downfield’s Graham Bell fifth.
Set in breathtaking scenery in Dumfriesshire, Powfoot presents a mixture of both links and parkland golf of the highest standard. The lay out was designed by the legendary James Braid, the five-time Open champion, in 1903.
The 36-hole South of Scotland Seniors Championship is played tomorrow and Friday to officially start the Seniors’ season.
The SGU website, www.scottishgolf.org, will provide draws, scores and rankings from the Seniors Order of Merit throughout the season.
2012 Seniors Order of Merit fixture list
* South of Scotland Seniors Championship - 26-27 April
* Scottish Seniors Spring Open - 24-25 May
* East of Scotland Seniors Championship - 07-08 June
* Central Scotland Seniors Championship - 21-22-June
* Scottish Seniors Championship - 04-06 July
* Scottish Seniors Match Play Championship – 09-13 July
* West of Scotland Seniors Championship - 26-27 July
* The Seniors Open Amateur Championship – 08-10 August
* North of Scotland Seniors Championship - 16-17 August
* Seniors Order of Merit Finals Day - 13 September
>> Click here for the draw for the South of Scotland Seniors Championship