This was the final match of the season for both teams, having lost out to the weather a few weeks ago, and at the start of the match, it looked like the weather may claim yet another BP match, but wrapped up, the players headed out. David Millar went in to an early lead against Mark Plumridge, but the resilience of the former ERGC member was a sight to behold. Winning 3 of the last 4 holes to take this match 1 up, and the start of a team showing real fight to avoid the wooden spoon. Then the next match, a nip and tuck affair between Ally Beattie and Dan Docherty went the same way to the visitors, 1 up, the curse of 20323 reared it's ugly head for the ERGC boys, failing to win on the 18th. Ryan McCaffrey headed out against James Hendrick hoping to maintain his unbeaten season, however, these guys have played each other since their junior days and James hoodoo over Ryan continued as he won 3&2. Chris Barron then went out against the other Hendrick, Matt, and again the result went the way of the Pollok team on the 18th, so 3 for 3 on the 18th green for Pollok from the first 4 games.
Scott Glennie dragged his broken body (his words not mine) out in the next match against the Pollok captain of 2024, Paul Johnston, and managed to put a 3 under par 6&5 win on the board for the home side, not bad for an invalid (again, his words LOL), but that was a good as it got for the home team. Lloyd Murdoch, making his debut, fell 4&3 to the consistent Jonny Brown, draw secured, wooden spoon avoided. The last two matches were a bonus to Pollok with Ian Thompson going down to the BP manager Chris Wedgeworth 6&4, and finally Tom Kemp losing out on the 18th to Marc McLaughlin, and thus an emphatic and well won victory for Pollok. In the reserve match Chris McCormick edged out the young Toby Mathers 2 Up @16, while the 4 stand ins for the captains match played till the 10th where the Pollok pair ran out winners.
This has been a difficult season for all the teams, mostly caused by some ridiculous weather and games being abandoned both before and during matches, something that no management can allow for, that said, lessons can be learned. To all the other managers out there, I thank them for their hospitality throughout the year, and to the ERGC lads, a huge thank you to each and everyone of you who made yourselves available and gave your best.
East Renfrewshire v Pollok
East Renfrewshire v Fereneze
It was a lovely night as both East Ren and Fereneze travelled to Cathkin Braes for their neutral venue match, both teams looking to enhance their league position with six points up for grabs.The match, as ever between these two sides, was played in the true spirit of golf and it makes for a good spectacle.
The opening couple of matches were tight affairs with Kyle Murdoch losing out to David Miller 2&1 and Craig Watson succumbing on the final green with an untimely bogie to Richie Elrick par, so 2 points already in the bag for Fereneze.
Ryan McCaffrey then steadied the ship for East Ren with a fine 2&1 victory over Scott Turnbull and when Chris Barron added a 3&2 over the exuberant Andy Buttar, the match was all tied at two apiece. That, however, was as good as it got for the lads from East Ren ! The next four matches showed why Fereneze were the deserved 2023 champions.
Chris McCormick had a baptism of fire as Mark Carlton lit up, not only the fairways and greens, but by closing out the match on the 12th with a holed bunker shot, his game was way too hot for Chris as he recorded an 8&6 victory, well done to Mark, a magnificent performance. Ally Beattie, just back from his globe trotting work schedule, found himself down early to Ian McMillan, who did enough throughout the game to maintain his early lead and close the game out 4&3. This was the same story in the Tom Kemp and Ross Connolly match, with Ross taking the honours 3&2. The final match got of to an electric start with birdies flying in from everywhere, but the consistency of young Stuart Dickson edged out Iain Thomson, who had a run of three bogies, that he never recovered from and thus the final point was secured 4&3.
As per the full match the reserve was won by Clark Hill, in a tight game that had it's fair amount of birdies and even eagle putts, David Miller (ERGC) lost out 3&2. The Captains match went again to Fereneze. What a beautiful night for golf and as we near the end of what has to be the wettest Brand Putter season, we wish you good health and great golf for the rest of the summer.
Cathcart Castle v Williamwood
The match at Cowglen on a mercifully calm summer evening was the proverbial "six pointer" for both Cathcart Castle and Williamwood as both teams looked to banish fears of the wooden spoon with a win. Chris Kelly led the Chateaux cause with a win over Andrew Hunter, sustaining an early lead to close out the match at 15. Grant Beaton got a second point for Cathcart in a tight game with Crawford Burns, with the game being settled on the 17th green. The next match also finished on 17, with the point going to Williamwood as the youthful Ross Anderson got the better of Brian McQueenie. Stuart Miller secured a third point for Cathcart with a 4/3 win over Callum Taggart before the overall match tightened again when Christie Gray overcame Robbie Wilkie at 16. Three games left on the course. The first to complete was the game between Stuart Henderson and Scott McCreadie, with Disco securing at least a half for Cathcart with a 4/3 win - completing his redemption at Cowglen after defeat in the away fixture just a week prior. A classy 9 iron into the 17th from Jonny McLeish made sure Cathcart got the half point they needed as he headed to the 18th 1up, but an equally classy putt from Stephen Gray ensured it would be honours even in a topsy turvy match. A creditable half for Scott Coulter against Jack Crawford meant it was Cathcart that prevailed 5-3. A 1up win followed in the reserve match for Cathcart's Ronnie Meldrum to conclude a mixed season for the Chateaux. A match played in excellent spirits, with thanks owed to Cowglen for hosting. Best wishes to Ken and the Williamwood boys in their final game at Bonnyton. Look forward to going again next season.
Cathcart Castle v Whitecraigs
Whitecraigs ensured their hopes of winning the Brand Putter League continue into the final round of fixtures with a deserved away win at blustery Cathcart Castle. The night started well for the home team as Jonny McLeish rediscovered the form he's capable of to topple player-of-the-year-hunting Martin Myers in the top match. However, an impressive win for Willie Anderson over Chris Kelly levelled the match before a monster putt from Greg Scrimgeour on the 18th green secured a half with Grant Beaton. Craig Campbell played some excellent golf and holed some nice birdies in a comfortable win over Stuart Miller, while Gary Murphy showed his links credentials to overcome the wind - and Jamie MacGregor - to put the away team on the brink of victory. That came when Gordon Peters made a winning birdie at the last in a tight affair with Brian McQueenie, simultaneously benefiting from a hop over the front bunker with his long approach shot in whilst unluckily seeing his subsequent eagle putt run 270 degrees round the hole and out. Scott Campbell added gloss to the scoreline for Whitecraigs in a controlled display, seeing off Callum Bruce on the 17th green, before Stuart Henderson salvaged some pride for Cathcart with an excellent 3/2 win over Dave Reid. A disappointing night for the Chateaux boys but one that gives Whitecraigs a chance to secure - as the well-kent CCGC captain put it - "a Roy of the Rovers" achievement in a couple of weeks. Best of luck Scott, Bruce and the team.
Whitecraigs v Bonnyton
Whitecraigs hosted Bonnyton during Week 7 on a dry and sunny evening on the Ayr Road. Gordon Peters and Jack Brown put an early marker down for the home side with excellent wins against Scotty Douglas and Chris Lang, respectively. Gary Murphy and James Fleming were out first and was tight affair. All square at the turn, the match went down the last with James getting a fine 1up win over the experienced Gary. David Reid and Craig Campbell moved Whitecraigs onto four points with a couple of more points and shortly after Willie Anderson secured the home win with a commanding 4&3 win against Rab Stewart. Martin Myers holed a monster putt on the last green to keep up his individual record and beat Wullie Macmillan 1up in a great match which had birdies, chip ins and plenty of checking in (from Martin) on the three lions Scott Campbell held his nerve with a solid two putt on the last green to win his match 1up against Neil Gray to make it 7-1 for Whitecraigs on the night.
A far closer match than the scoreline reflects and all at Whitecraigs wish the Bonnyton team best wishes for their remaining matches this season.
Cathkin Braes v Haggs Castle
Wednesday was a sunny but blustery night when Haggs Castle came to visit Cathkin Braes. The hotly anticipated match finished a draw after Scott McTominay's opener was cancelled out by Xherdan Shaqiri's sublime finish.
Out on the course, the champions match led proceedings and in a nip and tuck game it was visitor Louis Fleming who took the victory on the 18th. Ricky Gray was next up for the home side against player of the year contender Craig Harper but some excellent golf from the home player saw him win 6/4. This was immediately followed by a convincing 7/6 win for Ross McLeish over Bobby Gray. Harry Hutchison then closed out a close match 2/1 over Fraser McNeil.
3-1 to the home side at this point put them in a strong position but the games left on the course were close encounters. With David McLaren 1 up on BPL debutant Greg Paterson on the 15th but in trouble it looked like this game could be back to all square but an excellent chip to a foot saw him in for 4 before Greg unfortunately felt the wrath of the 15th green with a 3 putt. David would then win 16 to close the match 3/2 securing at least a halved match.
Alan Welsh was 1 down to John Laurie heading down the last and John managed to close it out; 4-2 now. Haggs team manager and VC Craig Morrison was 2 up on Greg Brown on 14 before Greg birdied it to get back to 1 down. Craig followed up with a birdie on 15 to get back to 2 up. He then won the 16th to close out the game 3/2. The match now 4-3 overall it came down to David Gravil against Stuart Sangster in the final game with the former 1 up playing 18. Both players hit superb tee shots down the middle of the fairway with the wind at their backs. David hit in first and went long, giving some hope to the home side but Stuart's approach also went long in the wind. The hole was ultimately halved resulting in a 4-4 tie between the teams.
In the reserve game Stevie Coyle had a convincing 7/5 victory over Allan Middleton and the captains match went the way of the home side too. Thanks to all officials and supporters that attended and thanks to both teams for a great match contested in the right way.