Gullane were on the brink of history as
they had already won both the League and the Team Strokeplay event in
2007, and if they had triumphed in the County Cup, it would have been the
first time that any Team had done so.
However, the draw had put them
against the host Club Longniddry, and the home Team were victorious.
Longniddry were then probably the favourites to win after that result, but
they were beaten in the semi final by Dunbar, represented by Richard
Pickard and Danny Kay, and by Kyle Donnellan and Kelly Thom.
In the lower half of the draw,
current Scottish Junior Team Champions Craigielaw went out to a strong
Team from The Glen in the second round, and The Glen, represented by Shaun
Gordon and Neil Henderson, a Scottish Boys International, and by Oliver
Huish and Keren Ward, forced their way into the final to play Dunbar.
The final was very well matched with
the second match being a mixed foursome with the unusual twist that each
girl had to drive at the same holes as their male opponent!
Shaun and Neil got off to an
excellent start and were swiftly three up, a lead Dunbar could not
overhaul. Oliver and Keren, giving 5 strokes to their opponents, were
behind for most of the match but went ahead in the latter stages. The
first match ended with the Glen being 3 up at the eighteenth, and when
Oliver and Keren got up and down (again!) for a par three at the
sixteenth, the match was all over with The Glen being the victors 5 up on
aggregate. The win was a superb ending for the Glen Junior Convenor
Charles MacKinnon who will be stepping down later this year, and taking a
well earned rest after a very successful time as Convenor. Both Neil and
Shaun are now too old to continue in Junior Golf next year, but they are
both good enough to start winning in Open competition with adults.
Norman Elliott, Vice Captain of
Longniddry, was on hand to present the prizes to the Juniors and Glen Team
Captain Neil Henderson remarked on how well everyone had been treated by
the host Club, and on the superb condition of the course. Both Dunbar and
The Glen had been well supported by several parents and Officials, who
were treated to a high standard of golf.
Dave Warren.
Secretary
East Lothian Junior League.
