BPL Match reports

Week 6 - match played 11th June

ERGC v Bonnyton Home 11/06/2026

Well summer is still around the corner, at least that is what is hoped by all ! Tonight saw the high flying Bonnyton team visit East Ren, themselves on a good run of form, so a close game was anticipated.

Relentless Scottish summer rain delayed the start, but once it eased to drizzle and the course passed inspection, the opening groups set off dressed like Scott of the Antarctic.

Neil MacKinnon led off against Grant Beaton, and in a one-sided match Grant claimed the opening point with a 6&5 win over an out of sorts Neil. Bonnyton quickly built on that strong start, with Neil Gray beating Ross McCartney 4&3 and the in-form Chris Kelly defeating young Cameron Grose 5&3 to put three quick points on the board.

The remaining matches were much closer. Craig Watson and Sam Binning halved their match, while Chris Barron lost 2&1 to the experienced Scott Douglas on the 17th. That meant Bonnyton’s front five had already sealed the result, taking 4.5 points from 5.

Nial Thomson and David Dickson, who looked ready to swap his transport for a hovercraft, battled to another half on the 18th. Tom Kemp then claimed a full point for the home side with a 2&1 win over Mark MacMillan. In the final match, Ian Thomson faced rising talent Jimmy Middleton, who had been 3 up at one stage, and their contest also went to the last. Middleton held his nerve with a superb two-putt from 35 feet to secure an excellent draw—a clear case of if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

In the reserve match, ERGC gave another junior an opportunity, with Leo Martin taking on Brian McQueenie. Brian won convincingly, 6&4.

The captains contested a tight match, but a nett 1 on the 4th proved decisive as John and Allan edged Brian and Colin 1 up.

Credit goes to everyone who played through the rain. Although it eased for a while, the conditions still took some of the enjoyment out of the evening. Home advantage is important in the league, but weather like this can reduce that edge. Even so, that should not detract from Bonnyton’s performance as they continue their push to regain the title they held not long ago.

Week 5 - Match played 4th June

Wet and blustery conditions provided a challenging test as Cowglen travelled to Whitecraigs.

Sean Murdoch got the home side off to a fast start, putting the first point on the board with a solid 5&4 victory over Kyle Morrison. However, experienced campaigner Tony Docherty quickly levelled, producing a dominant performance to secure a 6&5 away win against Scott Campbell.

Peter Hutchison played solid golf on the back nine, steadily reining in Craig Campbell before birdieing the final hole to claim a 1up win. Gary Murphy followed suit, also birdieing the 18th to edge out Duncan McNab in a tightly contested match. Nae strawberry tarts for Willie Anderson this week, as Philip Devine delivered an excellent away performance, winning 4&3.

The remaining matches all went the way of the home side, with Martin Myers (2up), David Reid (2&1) and Stephen Macnamara (4&2) sealing the result and closing out the night 5–3 in favour of Whitecraigs.

An exceptionally tight contest played in difficult conditions but in great spirits throughout. Best wishes to Tony and his team for the remaining matches.

Week 4 - match played 28th May

On a fine evening, Haggs made the short trip to play ERGC. Recent matches between the sides had all been close, with Haggs usually edging it by a single point, so another Brand Putter contest looked set to be decided by narrow margins and tight matchplay golf. The opening tie featured two of the most experienced players on either side, as Craig Watson faced John Mathers in a battle of seasoned campaigners. Craig made the stronger start, going 3 up by the 7th, and held that lead to the 16th to give ERGC the first point.

Ross McCartney then took on Leon King and, despite some fine golf from both players, Ross stayed composed. A few timely birdies helped him close out the match 3&2. Chris Barron beat David Gravil 1 up in match three, and after Neil MacKinnon halved with Paul McLean on the 18th, the home side led 31⁄2 points to 1⁄2. Haggs were far from finished. Two quick points followed as Ross MacLeod beat Tom Kemp 2 up and team manager Craig Morrison defeated Iain Thomson 3&2, leaving just one point between the sides with two matches still to play. Niall Thomson secured at least a half match by birdieing the 16th to go dormie 2 up, but ERGC still needed a win. Bobby Gray kept Haggs alive by taking the 17th, sending the match to the 18th with hopes of a comeback still intact.

Meanwhile, the final match reached the 18th tee with the home side in a strong position, as Hugh Sheils jnr had gone 1 up on the 17th. But amid the flurry of finishing matches, no one knew whether he had held on, and the tension continued to build.
Niall then produced one of the shots of the night against Bobby. Needing only a half to secure the home win, he hit his approach to five feet and, after Bobby missed his birdie putt, calmly rolled in his own to win the match and seal victory for the home side.

Hugh and Scott Rodgers played on to the 18th, and once the overall result was settled, Hugh conceded on the fairway after losing his ball, securing a final half point and a 5-3 home win.
It was another closely contested match played in excellent spirit. Haggs won the reserve game, with Ben Adamson beating Nathan Harrison 2 up, while the captains’ match went to the home duo of John Morrisson and Craig Henderson against Ian Hunter and Jim Griffin.

Week 3 - match played 21st May

The 2026 Battle of Barrhead Road featured no ‘titans’, but two fine teams representing Pollok and Cowglen, with the former hosting.

The final score required no VAR intervention, a 7-1 for the home team courtesy of wins from club champion Steven Manning, James Hendrick, Brendan McKenna, Marc McLaughlin, Phil Kelly, Jonathan Brown, and Matthew Hendrick.

Blair Stewart held on well to win on the 18^th for Cowglen.

Fantastic to see all the players and officials from both clubs staying for the post-match meal and refreshments. Wishing Cowglen well for the remainder of the campaign.

Week 3 - match played 21st May

East Renfrewshire got the first points on the board thanks to young Cameron Grose, with a composed 1up win over Sean Murdoch. Scott Campbell maintained his strong start to the season, producing a solid 3&1 victory against Hugh Shields Jnr to even things up.

Tom Kemp and Neil Mackinnon battled back from dormie two down, each winning the final two holes to secure halves against Craig Campbell and Gary Murphy. Kemp holing out for eagle on 18 in a superb display.

Martin Myers and David Reid delivered home wins over Craig Watson and Chris Barron, respectively. Niall Thomson then narrowed the gap to 4–3 with a fine away victory against Jack Brown, setting up a tense finish.

Strawberry tarts were well earned in a thrilling final match, where Willie Anderson birdied the 16th, salvaged a half on 17 after making five with his second ball, and then chipped in for birdie on the last to seal a narrow home win for Whitecraigs.

All the best to Scott and his team for the remainder of the season.

Week 2 - match played 14th May

On a lovely, if cold, Thursday evening, Fereneze arrived at ERGC, a venue that has proved a happy hunting ground for them over the last few years.

Match Progress

As the teams passed through the 7th green, the home side held the advantage, leading in five matches and trailing in two. The only game all square at that stage was the contest between ERGC’s 16-year-old debutant, Cameron Grose, and the experienced Andrew Butler, although it was still far too early for the position of the match, to be decisive.

By the time the players reached the 12th, the overall picture remained much the same. However, Fereneze had begun to fight back, as expected, and most matches were separated by just a single hole.

Unfortunately for the home side, an out-of-sorts Tom Kemp ran into some excellent play from Craig Coleman and was beaten 7&5, giving the visitors their first point of the evening.

Completed Results by the 16th

By the time players and spectators began gathering at the 16th, six matches had been completed:

Iain Thomson defeated Stuart Dickson. Home Win
Niall Thomson defeated Ian McMillan 4&3. Home Win
Hugh Shiels Jnr beat Josh Beatt 1 up. Home Win
Craig Coleman beat Tom Kemp 7&5. Away Win
Richie Elrick defeated the seasoned Craig Watson 2&1. Away Win
Andrew Butler edged out the youngster Cameron Grose 1 up. Away Win

That left two matches still to finish. Ross McCartney and Roddy McAuley went to the 17th all square and traded the final two holes, with Roddy taking the 17th and Ross the 18th, resulting in a well-earned halved match.

Neil McKinnon and David Miller also reached the 17th all square after David produced an excellent fightback over the previous four holes, having been three down. Fittingly, the contest was decided by the two club champions. Neil won the 17th, and when David’s putt on the 18th cruelly lipped out, Neil secured the match with two putts from 10 feet. It was a hard-fought match that gave ERGC a 4.5–3.5 home win.

East Renfrewshire v Bonnyton

Cowglen v Whitecraigs

East Renfrewshire v Haggs Castle

Pollok v Cowglen

Whitecraigs v East Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire v Fereneze