This annual stroke play team competition between the three counties of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire took place at Kirkcudbright Golf Club on Thursday 23 July. The weather was sunny intervals with a strong breeze from the south west which was helpful on the front nine and into their faces on the way home. The course was in perfect condition and the teams consisted of 6 players with 4 scores to count.
In this year of the amalgamation of the SGU and SLGA, Dumfriesshire included a girl in their team. Mirren Fraser (Powfoot) played very steadily and certainly concentrated the efforts of the boys as none had played with a girl before at county level. She was most welcome and it is hoped that her presence has acted as a trailblazer for many more to follow in the future.
Nine of the players (half of the competitors) had a scratch score under 80 which was quality golf in the conditions. Cameron Gray (Kirkcudbright), playing on his home course, had an excellent 71, followed by Angus Bendall (Castle Douglas) and Nathan Watson (Kirkcudbright) with 74. Maybe Cameron was inspired as he played in the same threeball as Mirren!
The individual handicap winner was Callum McMillan (Kirkcudbright) with a great score of 82-17=65. This was equaled by Cameron (71-6=65) and in close pursuit were Aiden Dewar (Portpatrick) with 75-9=66 and Ross Whyte (D&G) 73-6=67. Young Jack Ireland (Dalbeattie) had an excellent 91-23=68 on his first outing for Kirkcudbrightshire. Seven boys beat their handicap or were within their buffer zone.
The Fraser Shield was won by the Kirkcudbrightshire team of Angus Bendall (Castle Douglas), Nathan Watson (Kirkcudbright), Iain Rae (Dalbeattie), Cameron Gray (Kirkcudbright), Jack Ireland (Dalbeattie) and Callum McMillan (Kirkcudbright) with a total score of 301. This is the first time since 2005 Kirkcudbrightshire have been successful. Second were Dumfriesshire with a score of 307 and a team of Dylan Cairnie (D&C), Rowan Marchbank (D&G), Finlay Copland (D&G), Mirren Fraser (Powfoot), Greg Rice (D&C) and Ross Whyte (D&G). The Wigtownshire team consisted of Robbie Currie (Portpatrick), Graeme Hoodless (Newton Stewart), Euan Kyle (Portpatrick), Bobbie Lammie (Portpatrick), Aiden Dewar (Portpatrick) and Ross Plant (Stranraer) and scored 339.
An enjoyable day for all the competitors with sportsmanship and camaraderie the real winners.
The attached photograph shows the Kirkcudbrightshire team proudly holding the Fraser Shield. From the left: Peter Barratt, President, Kirkcudbrightshire Golfers’ Association, Jack Ireland, Cameron Gray, Nathan Watson, Callum McMillan, Iain Rae and Brian Haining, Kirkcudbright Coaching Convenor. Missing is Angus Bendall.