Defending champions Cowglen secured a valuable away win at Cathcart Castle in a tight encounter in which just one match was settled before the 17th green. Derek Barnes led from the front, edging out Nick Branney 2/1. Experienced campaigner Frank Drum matched that scoreline in his match with Gavin Campbell. Scott Coulter and Stevie Machin matched up for the second year running, with the visiting team manager reversing last year's result to win up the last. Fergus Aitken got Cathcart on the board with a 3/1 win over Robbie Davidson before Jonny McLeish brought the hosts back to within a point with an excellent 3/2 success over Alan Waugh.

Cowglen secured at least a share of the spoils when David Fulton won his match with Ronnie Meldrum 2/1, but all eyes fell on the final match on the course between Stuart 'Disco' Henderson and Tony Docherty when Stuart Miller staved off a valiant Lynsey Smart comeback to notch a point for Cathcart at 17. The final match was all square with two to play, but when Disco's approach caught a flier through the green, Tony seized the advantage with a nerveless up and down from short right to take a one hole advantage to the 18th tee and with it the guaranteed half point the visitors required. A birdie to finish for Disco earned him an honourable half with Tony.

Congratulations Cowglen on the win - and mention too for Blair Stewart who holed out his approach shot into 18 for a half in the reserve match with Callum Bruce.

Well after the highs come the lows and this week was one of those. In this bookend defeat at home against a strong Haggs Castle team. Neill MacKinnon led the way again against the champion of Haggs Castle, big hitting Frazer McNeill, and in a match he controlled he ran out a comfortable 5&4 victor. The return of Craig Watson to the team was a delight, but David Docherty never trailed and edged out a close 2&1 win, the start of Haggs points.Steven McIntosh was hoping for his medal form to comeback to his match play against the steady Louis Fleming, but it wasn't to be, with another point going to HCGC with a fine 3&1 victory. 

Tom Kemp then made his first start of the year against Craig Harper, and was controlling the game at 2 up till the 15th tee, then two quick wins on the 15 & 16 meant the game would go the full 18, and it proved not enough to separate them, another half point for both teams.

Hugh Shiels Jnr next, against the force that is John Mathers, the British senior player showed the youngster what he has plenty of time to learn, with some magnificent play around the green, including an unbelievable short sided up and down birdie at the 10th to cruise to a 7&6 victory. Jim Hollinger against David Gravil, in this battle it was a case of who's body would last the course, Dave with his multitude of supports and Jim with his back, (Joking lads) a good close game was had early on, before Dave moved away and secured a well deserved 4&3. 

David Boyd made his 40th YEAR appearance in the Brand Putter, has anyone else has played that many years? Against the Haggs manager, Craig Morrison, who held a lead from early one, David's pitch in at the 16th for birdie only delayed the result, 2&1 to Craig securing Haggs final point. 

In contrast, this is Chris Barron's first year, and he continued his excellent form with his first full point, a 2&1 win over Ross McLeod in a see saw match to book end ERGC scoring. In the reserve match Iain Hutcheon went down to an inform Paul McLean who secured a very good 6&4 victory.

The bragging right of the Captains & Vice game went to ERGC, with last years captain acting as stand in for the 3rd week in a row, securing the 1st hole with his usual "4 for 3" to put them in front, a lead they never lost.

Pollok welcomed in form Cathkin, looking to register our first win of the season. Cathkin made a good start on away soil, leading 2.5-1.5 after the first 4 games with wins for Gordon Sangster over Mark Plumridge (1up) & Shaun Philbin winning 2&1 over James Hendrick. Marc McLaughlin and Stuart Sangster played out an entertaining halved match, followed by Brendan Mckenna winning 2&1 over Stevie Coyle.

Pollok's back order delivered when needed, Steven Manning defeating Greg Brown 6&5, Dario Durante winning 5&4 against Steven Convery & Johnny Brown winning 2up against Alan Welsh. Chris Wedgeworth completed the 5.5-2.5 win with a 7&6 win over David McLaren.

Pollok delighted with the win against always tough opposition. All the best to Cathkin for the remainder of the season.

On a cool evening up at ERGC, we welcomed Cathcart Castle to our first home game of the season, looking to avenge last years last day defeat.

In the first match Neil McKinnon carried on from last week and in a match he was always in control off, saw off the Cathcart champion Jonny McLeish for a good win.

Ryan McCaffrey then teed of in a competitive tussle with Scott Coulter, in a game where one hole seemed to be the norm, Ryan put the foot down and stretched away in the end to a good 3&1 win.

The battle of the Millers, ERGCs David got off to a great start 3 up at one point, but the CC BP Captain Stuart "Windy" Miller fought back well, a 3 putt from David from nowhere on the 12th was the real turning point, and Windy finally blew David away 3&1 for CCs first point of the night.

In match 4 Hugh Shields Jnr got off to a flying start and was 5 up when a recurring wrist injury forced Robbie Wilkie to concede, in fairness to Robbie he admitted that Hugh was on form and would likely have seen the match out anyway, congratulations to Hugh for his first full point. Jim Hollinger and Jamie McGregor had a real ding dong battle with the lead switching a few times over the entire 18 holes, however for Jim it was to be a reversal of his 18th hole loss of last week and he secured a narrow 1up victory, the draw was now secured and ERGC were hoping for more.

Scott Dunn next, up against the "flamboyant" Nick Branney. As a member of ERGC for some years now, I can honestly say Nick saw more of ERGC than I have do date, recovery shots from everywhere, eventually proving too much for Scott as Nick showed, it's not how, it's how many. Chris Barron finally made his debut against Fergus Aitken, this game was close throughout with never more than 2 holes in it. When Chris did as David Miller had at 12, the writing seemed to be on the wall, BUT dormie 2 down and the light fading fast, wins at 17 and 18 secured a fair draw. Iain Thomson made his return to the team after a long absence and in a good close game with Ronnie Meldrum they teed of in the sparce light at 16 all square, but with wins at 16 and 17 Iain closed out his match a secured the final point in an excellent team performance. In the reserve match, it to, was all square playing 16, but as the rain started to pour and the light disappeared, Callum hit his approach shot to 4 inches to win the hole with a birdie, both players decided enough was enough and ended the tie there and then, well done Callum.

The captains match was another draw, but by the speech given by Colin at the meal (through gritted teeth) it's fair to say Cathcart officials holed their share of putts. A fantastic start for ERGCs home games, but like every other club, we'll be looking for the elusive away points required if we're going to mount a challenge. Keep swinging it sweet everyone.

On a good night for golf , Bonnyton welcomed Fereneze for the 2nd round of this year's fixtures , Alan johnston in the club champ game had a tight affair with Ian macmillan , Alan coming through with a 1 up victory and getting bonnyton the first point , Grant beaton got his win by a 2 up result , beating callum Mclelland Graeme gorrie with a 1 up victory over Richie Elrick had bonnyton 3 points to the good , next up Neil gray again got the home team another point with a comprehensive 5&4, victory ,over Andrew butter , wullie macmillan added the next point with a 3&2 , victory over scott turnbull, Michael Wynne kept the points coming , 2&1, victory over Ross connelly , ,6 points from 6 , lead to 7 from 7 when davie dickson , ( back in team after struggling with health for a while ) , great to welcome him back davie beating Stuart dickson 3&1, last game in saved the whitewash , as davie Miller held off scott Douglas for a 2 up victory ,Craig Coleman had a great 5&4 win in the reserve game , beating Richard smith , a very good match , all games played in great spirit , thanks to Stuart and Greenstaff, course was tremendous , Fereneze players were very complimentary of the course , and to Nigel and Janice a big thanks for all the food and drink . Final result Bonnyton 7 Fereneze 1

With the weather returning to more of a standard Brand Putter League evening, Whitecraigs welcomed Pollok for what was sure to be a tight match. In the first game out on the course, Greg Nichol put points on the board for the home side with a solid 5&4 win over Iain Downes. Whitecraigs pressed on with their home advantage with Club Champion Martin Myers winning his match against Matt Hendrick 5&3 and Gordon Peters overcoming his ex-teammate Steven Manning 3&2. Although David Reid got the home side to 4 points with a win (3&2) over Marc McLaughlin, the remaining matches on the course were mostly going the way of the visitors meaning that this was indeed looking tight.

Pollok Team Manager Chris Wedgeworth had an excellent 6&5 away win which was quickly followed up by a solid performance from Brendan McKenna over Willie Anderson to make it 4-2. Stephen Macnamara made a timely two at the 16th to go dormie 2up and to secure Whitecraigs a minimum of 4.5 points. Stephen went on to win this close match against Dario Durante and experienced Gary Murphy returned to BPL matches for Whitecraigs to enjoy a closely contested half match against Pollok’s Jonny Brown. All the very best to Pollok Golf Club for the rest of their BPL season.

Pollok welcomed a very strong Bonnyton side to open up the season. Iain Downes continued his fine early season form to register the first point for Pollok with a 2&1 win over Mark McMillan. Bonnyton responded by winning the next two games, good wins for Graeme Gorrie over Pat O'Neil 2&1 and Sam Binning with an excellent 6&5 win over James Hendrick. Marc McLaughlin brought the game back level with a superb 4&3 win over Neil Gray. Bonnyton went 3-2 up - Grant Beaton winning 3&2 over Matt Hendrick. Steven Manning levelled for Pollok again with a crucial 2&1 win over Willie McMillan. Alan Johnston put the visitors 4-3 in front with hard fought 1 up victory of Mark Plumridge - oooh Boy.
The final game was Scotty Douglas against Chris Wedgeworth. Scotty managed to get the game back to all square with just the 18th to play after an excellent up and down from the bunker on 17. Both men would have to up and down again on 18 to take the victory. Chris did just that with a brilliant chip close to win the match. Honours even which both sides were happy with in the end. All the best to the Bonnyton lads for the remaining games.

Although the score suggests a one sided contest this match was far from that with four ties making it to the last hole. A young East Renfrewshire team can be proud of the way they equipped themselves against a generally more experienced opponent away from home. A good start for the Williamwood team which came so close to winning the league last and should boost their confidence for this year’s competition.