An exciting Order of Merit competition to find the most consistent golfer in South Area in 2016 came to an end at Portpatrick on Sunday 25 September 2016. David Brodie (Newton Stewart), who collected points in eleven of the twelve events, was a very deserved winner. He led from the front from the first event and never relinquished his position although it came under fierce and concerted attack on several occasions. He won the Wigtownshire Championship, Wigtownshire Match Play Championship, JAL Brown Trophy at Portpatrick and the Lennox Trophy at Lochmaben as well as being the joint top points scorer in the Southerness Challenge.
It was also a great effort from Michael Grunwell (D&G) in pushing David to the last round of the final tournament on Sunday. Michael did all he could in winning the Shamash Trophy but David secured a fifth place to ensure he got sufficient points to retain his lead. Michael had a very successful season winning the Dumfriesshire Match Play Championship, the Shamash Trophy and being joint points scorer in the Southerness Challenge.
Chris Corbett (D&G) finished a very creditable third after another good season and certainly looks like an Order of Merit winner in the future. Neil Hamilton (Powfoot) held on to fourth place from Colin Hamilton (Stranraer) despite Colin’s strong finish in the Shamash Trophy.
Top Ten Positions
1 David Brodie (Newton Stewart) 835 points
2 Michael Grunwell (D&G) 790.3
3 Chris Corbett (D&G) 500
4 Neil Hamilton (Powfoot) 435
5 Colin Hamilton (Stranraer) 395
6 Clark Riddick (Southerness) 350
7 Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County) 341.7
8 Ross Murray (Southerness) 225
9 Andrew Kerr (Crichton) 215
10 Martin McNae (Lochmaben) 200
The photograph shows David Brodie (Newton Stewart) being presented with the Order of Merit Trophy by Jim Burns, President of Scottish Golf Ltd.