The South Order of Merit came to an exciting conclusion at the final counting event of the season at Thornhill on Sunday 24 September. The intrigue was heightened in the Shamash trophy as three players were in contention, David Brodie (Newton Stewart) in the driving seat with Michael Grunwell (D&G) 75 points behind and Chris Corbett (D&G) in third place a further 55 points adrift.
David was suffering with a back injury and was unable to play so a good result from Michael would win him the title. Chris had to win outright to overtake the other two and hope Michael did not finish in the top four.
Liam Carruthers (Powfoot) had a runaway victory in the Shamash Trophy and this moved him up three places to 7th with Chris Corbett and Neil Hamilton (Powfoot) tying for the runners-up spot. A super effort from Chris, so near but so far, but his time will surely come to be the champion golfer in the South.
Michael finished tied for fourth place, which was not enough to overtake David and he had to settle for second in the Order of Merit by 5 points. Had Michael been one shot better in the Shamash he would have won the Order of Merit by 5 points! Neil’s tie for second place saw him move up into the top ten.
TOP TEN
1 David Brodie (Newton Stewart) 575 points
2 Michael Grunwell (D&G) 570
3 Chris Corbett (D&G) 557.5
4 Martin McNae (Lochmaben) 375
5 Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County) 370
6 Fraser Hughes (Newton Stewart) 360
7 Liam Carruthers (Powfoot) 341.7
8 Clark Riddick (Southerness) 335
9 Neil Hamilton (Powfoot) 257.5
10 Ross Murray (Southerness) 255