Vale and Dumbarton golfers battle it out

Aug 29 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

TWO local golf clubs will battle it out with more than 60 other for a place in the Magners Scottish Golf Club Championship final next month.

Paul McGregor and Anthony Conroy, of Vale of Leven Golf Club, and George Harper and Andrew McCallion, of Dumbarton Golf Club, are two of the 220 teams registered for the Championship – for which the regional finals take place throughout September.

The two teams will be in an expected field of 60 at Kilmacolm golf club on Thursday, September 11, for the West regional final.

Both pairs will be hoping to seal their place in the final which takes place at The Carrick course on Loch Lomond on Monday, October 6.

Hoping to defend their title are the 2007 winners, Broomieknowe Golf Club members Kevin Hastings and Colin Grossard from Edinburgh. They received automatic entry to the 2008 championship and will be playing the West Linton regional final on Thursday September 18.

Scottish Tour professional and ambassador for the championship, Lloyd Saltman, has been impressed by the scores submitted during the qualifying rounds. He’ll be joining the finalists on October 6 at The Carrick to see the winner sink the final putt.

He said: “It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for this event. It’s great that Magners continue to support club golf in Scotland.

“Events like this really help to showcase some of the most talented club golfers in Scotland. I’ve experienced the course at Loch Lomond myself and know the challenges that the finalists will have to look forward to. It’s going to be a great final.”