Don is top of the North
Alliance class once again

By ROBIN WILSON
Thurso's Don Mackay, winner of last season's North Golf Alliance scratch quaich, and the runner-up, Tain's Munro Ferries, finished in the same order at the opening North Golf Alliance fixture at Durness on Sunday.
In the field of 48, who by the afternoon enjoyed T-shirt golf over the rugged Balnakeil Links of North Sutherland, Mackay's three-over-par 73 won by two from Ferries with Tain's Mike Sangster and Ron Barker (Wick) also sharing 75s.
Barker's 75 converted to a net 68 to win the Class 1 handicap section, leaving Tain's Mike Sangster in third place on net 71 from this handicap of four. With a net 70 off 7, earning second place was Grant Maxwell (Reay)
But the long journey from Tain made by Ali Melville was rewarded with a first place in Class 2. Melville's 69, off 12, was the only net score below par and it prevented a home win by one shot over local Alister Corbett.
RESULTS
LEADING SCRATCH
D A Mackay (Thurso) 73.
M Ferries (Tain), R Barker (Wick) 75.
M Sangster (Tain) 75.
R W Taylor (Wick) 76.
G Maxwell (Reay), W R Taylor (Wick) 77.
J O'Brien (Reay) 78.
A J Gill (Brora) 80.
LEADING HANDICAP
Class 1
R Barker (Wick) (7) 68.
G Maxwell (Reay) (7) 70.
M Sangster (Tain) (4) 71.
J O'Brien (Reay) (6) 72.
Class 2
A Melville (Tain) (12) 69.
A Corbett (Durness) (15) 70.
J Morrison (Durness) (18) 73.

Tom Galloway (98) still playing in

Scottish Alliance championship

Old golfers never die, they just keep on playing in the Scottish Alliance championship!
Competing in this week's (Tuesday to Thursday) 54-hole event, hosted by Moray Golf Club at Lossiemouth are 98-year-old Tom Galloway from Dunfermline and 86-year-old John Edmiston from Burntisland. They must breed them to last in Fife.
Tom, a regular at the event, announced in 2000 that he was playing in his last Alliance championship. But he keeps coming back for more.
Eight years ago, he celebrated his 90th birthday by playing three rounds of golf in one day! He endeavours to play golf at least three or four times a week.
Galloway did not take up golf until the age of 62 when he took early retirement from an Edinburgh brewers.
“I decided to retire early the day I heard that one of my colleagues who had worked on until he was 65, died a day or so after he retired,” said Tom.
“I made up my mind I was not going to sit about the house. I had to take up some activity that guaranteed getting me out and about and golf seemed to fit the bill.
“I went to evening classes to learn the game. I did get down to four of a handicap within two years of starting."
Aberdeen Hazlehead Golf Shop staff professional Colin Nelson, who partnered Tom in one Alliance championship, said later:
“The man’s a marvel. He never held us up at all and you could see that on a links course with a lot of run he could still play a fair game, even in his 90s. It was a privilege to play with Tom Galloway.”
The final twist in the remarkable story of Tom Galloway is that he was born in 1910 at HMS Ganges, a Royal Naval training station in Suffolk, the son of an artillery instructor. Tom served in the Royal Air Force in World War II.
He has never smoked or touched alcohol in his life _ despite being a chief brewer! But he does not eat fresh fruit nor vegetables apart from potatoes.
“Steak and potatoes is my favourite dish. Can’t get enough of it,” says Tom.
John Edmiston tees off in his first round over the Moray New course at 9.01am tomorrow. Tom Galloway is also play the New course, at 11am.
Among the leading candidates to win the Scottish Alliance title this week over 54 holes are two former winners, Caldwell professional Craig Everett and Forres amateur international Bryan Fotheringham.
*Picture of Tom Galloway above, by Cal Carson Golf Agency, was taken 15 years ago when, of course, he was playing in a Scottish Alliance championship at Newmachar.

Tee times for North Scottish
Alliance at Boat of Garten

Competitors will leave the tee in threes at seven-minute intervals in Saturday's North Scottish Golfers' Alliance fixture at Boat of Garten.
Late entries and scratchings will be taken by telephone 01343812241 or e.mail alan.nsga@btinternet.com .
Abbreviations: BG Boat of Garten, E Elgin, F Forres, FR Fortrose & Rosemarkie, G Grantown on Spey, GK Garmouth & Kingston, I Inverness, LN Loch Ness, M Moray, MoO Muir of Ord, ND Nairn Dunbar.
8.0 K Thomson (M), S Mitchell (M), N McWilliam (GK); D Mitchell (E), K Smith (E), partner; S G Milne (E), K B Taylor (E), partner; S Wilson (I), R Stewart (G), K Donnelly (ND); R Laing (G), J A Grant (G), R Harrower (BG) ; G Hay (G), J S D Campbell (G), guest; A Thom (G), B Wilding (G), A Anderson (G); S Duncan (M), B Inch (E), S Thomas (BG); I Ritchie (M), W B Johnston, W Hutchison (I).
9.03 M Vishu (BG), B Murray (BG), I Cassells (BG); J R Ingram (BG), D F Sharp (BG), partner; T Loynes (BG), L Macbean (BG), A Boxx (BG); M G Hamilton (BG), I Turner (BG), I Murray (BG); N Mutch (G) , L Stewart (G), D Stewart (G); A Grigor (BG), D Ross (BG), D Ross (BG); E P Lamsdell (F), B Thomas (F), R Barrett (G); P Watts (G), G Knapp (MoO), D Hexley (I).
10.06 A Fraser (G), J Mcdonald (G), A Henry (G); L Duncan (E), S Johnston (E), Partner; R R Adams (M), W R Duncan (M), partner; W J Donnelly (FR), W Donnelly (FR), J Foley (F); J Simpson (F), R Mckerron (F), B Fotheringham (F); R J Milne (E), H McMillan (E), partner; M Mann (M), A Thomson (M), partner.
11.02 J Stephen (ND), H Davies (ND), partner; D Joel (LN), J Treasurer (LN); C Small (FR), D Spence (FR), partner.
12.0 R Proctor (F), R Green (F), partner; S Macdonald (G), M Farquhar (G), partner; Space; W Fairfield (ND), T Fairfield (ND), partner.

North Scottish Alliance scores at Elgin

LEADING SCRATCH
K B Taylor (Elgin), S G Milne (Elgin) 71
J A Grant (Grantown), R Proctor (Forres) 73
N McWilliam (Garmouth & Kingston), A W Mair (Moray), I Johnstone (Inverness), J S D Campbell (Grantown) 74
S Wilson (Inverness) 76
R Harrower (Boat of Garten) pro 77
G Hay (Grantown), R Douglas (Inverness) pro, R Stewart (Grantown) 78
D F Sharp (Boat of Garten), I Findlay (Grantown) 79
K Thomson (Moray) 80
S McKenzie (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), W Hutchison (Inverness), R Mackay (Inverness), 81

LEADING HANDICAP
Section One (8 and under)
A W Mair (Moray)(3), I Johnstone (Inverness) (3) 71
R Stewart (Grantown)(5), D F Sharp (Boat of Garten) (6) 73
S Wilson (Inverness)(2), W Hutchison (Inverness) (7) 74
Section Two (9 to 14)
T Loynes (Boat of Garten)(13), K Smith (Elgin) (9) 77
R Barrett (Grantown)(14), W B Johnston (Moray) (9) 78
I Cassells (Boat of Garten)(12), L Duncan (Elgin) (11), R R Adams (Moray) (9) 79

Weather Report
Relatively easy early, rain for approx 2 hours, giving way to windy conditions and showers/general rain which cleared to give better conditions later.

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance prizewinners

Prizewinners at the Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance Gallacher Trophy meeting at Bathgate Golf Club this week:
Overall Winner
David Patrick (Elie) 65
Scratch
1st £100 David Patrick Elie 65
2nd £80 Andrew Marshall Houston GR 69
3rd equal £40 Paul Arthur King's Acre 71
3rd equal £40 Scott Catlin Greenburn 71
3rd equal £40 Kenny Glen Royal Musselburgh 71
Handicap (vouchers)
1st £100 Derek Fish Glenbervie 73 - 2 = 71
2nd equal £70 Andrew Rothney Deer Park 72 - 0 = 72
2nd equal £70 John Kerr Deer Park 75 - 3 = 72
4th equal £30 Ron Grant Baberton 77 - 4 = 73
4th equal £30 Peter Ritchie Bathgate 82 - 9 = 73

Craig Donnelly leads the way with a
66 at Midlance Alliance pro-am

Balbirnie Park professional Craig Donnelly led the way with a superb five-under-par 66 at this week's Midland Golfers' Alliance competition, the Fraser Bros (Tyres) pro-am at Ladybank Golf Club.
Craig also helped his all-Drumoig team of James Milne, Fraser MacKay and Jim Milne to fill joint first place along with Pitreavie professional Paul Brookes, Roddie Malcolm, Jack Rennie (both Dunfermline) and Chris Westland (Alloa)

LEADING SCRATCH
66 C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) p.
70 S Spence (Wellsgreen) ap.
72 G Tough (Letham Grange).
73 L Mann (Carnoustie Links) p, D McKay (Wellsgreen) p, G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle).
74 W Crosbie (Blairgowrie), C Storrier (Panmure) ap.
75 K McGowan (Burntisland) ap, G McLeod (Monifieth) p, R Robertson (Ladybank).
76 A J Webster (Edzell) p, L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p, E Walker (Burntisland) ap.
LEADING TEAM SCORES
127 P Brookes (Pitreavie) p, R Malcolm (Dunfermline), J Rennie (Dunfermline), C Westland (Alloa); C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) p, J Milne (Drumoig), F MacKay (Drumoig), J Milne jun (Drumoig).
131 S Spence (Wellsgreen) ap, R Ford (Scotscraig), J Black (Scotscraig), J Brown (Panmure); M Brown (Monifieth), G Cant (Monifieth), R McDonald (Monifieth), R Wallace (Milnathort).

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance News

On a fine, sunny, but breezy day, 75 members competed in this week's outing to Bathgate Golf Club.
Stuart Callan, members of staff and club members made us feel very welcome. They looked after, watered and fed us well. A big thank you goes to the greens staff too. I received many comments about the greens which were described as very good and quick paced.
The overall winner of the competition for the Gallacher Trophy was David Patrick representing Elie Golf Club. He shot a fantastic round of 65, six under par, with birdies at the 1st, 5th, 8th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes.
In the scratch section, four shots behind David, was Andrew Marshall (Houstoun GR). Andrew's fine 69 included six birdies, four in the first five holes. Paul Arthur (King's Acre), Kenny Glen (Royal Musselburgh) and Scott Catlin (Greenburn) shared third place with level par rounds of 71.
In the handicap section Derek Fish (Glenbervie), playing off a two handicap, took the honours with a net score of 71. Andrew Rothney (Deer Park), playing off scratch and John Kerr (also Deer Park), playing off three, shot a net 72 for second equal spot. Tied for fourth place were Ron Grant (Baberton) and Peter Ritchie (Bathgate) with net 73s.
I look forward to seeing you at Deer Park Golf and Country Club on the October 15.
Keith Liddle
Secretary
EESGA

LEADING SCORES DISPLAYED LATER TODAY - Editor

NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE ABANDONED
AFTER HUNTLY COURSE FLOODS

Today's North-east Golfers' Alliance competition at Huntly Golf Club had to be abandoned at lunch time after torrential rain flooded the course.
There is no North-east competition next week when the Scottish Alliance championship is being played at the Moray club, Lossiemouth from Tuesday to Thursday (October 7 to 9).
ends

Tom Galloway, now in his 90s, is in

the field for Scottish Alliance

at Lossiemouth, October 7-9

The 2008 Scottish Golfers' Alliance Championship will take place over the Old and New Courses of Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 to 9.
Competitors will leave the tee in twos or threes at 10min intervals.

Late entries and alterations will be accepted by telephone 01343812241, or e.mail alan.nsga@btinternet.com .
Nice to see that Tom Galloway from Dunfermline, who must be well into his 90s - his age, not his score by now is among the entries.

The picture on the right was taken in October 1993 when Tom

competed in the Scottish Alliance championship at Newmachar.
Abbreviations:
A Aboyne, B Banchory, BC Ballumbie Castle, Ba Bathgate, Bi Biggar, Bis Bishopbriggs, BG Boat of Garten, Bl Blairgowrie, Br Braemar, Bu Burntisland, C Cardross, Ca Canmore, Cal Caldwell, CB Cruden Bay, CP Caird Park, Co Cowglen, D Dalmuir, DHR Duff House Royal, Du Dunfermline, Dun Dunblane, E Edzell, El Elie, Elg Elgin, F Forres, F/R Fortrose & Rosemarkie, FP Forrester Park, G Grantown, Gl Glenbervie, Gle Glencorse, H Hayston, I Inverness, K Kemnay, LT Leven Thistle, Lo Loch Ness, Lot Lothianburn, M Moray, Mu Murcar, NB Nigg Bay, N Newmachar, Ne Newburgh, No Northern, O Oldmeldrum, S Scotscraig, St A St Andrews, T Turriff, TC Taymouth Castle, To Torrance House, WL West Linton, MH Meldrum House, Fe Fereneze, MOO Muir of Ord,

Old Course Tuesday, October 7 & New Course Wednesday, October 8

9.0 J R Ingram (BG), A Webster (E) ; M Louden (Gle), R G Stewart (CB); M Fraser (LT), M Mann (M); H Love (O), G G Wither (Lot); J Fowler (H), P Lamb (Bi) ; M Macdonald (F/R), J Kinloch(C).
10.0 W Donnelly (F/R), P Kinloch (C); D Hexley (I), P Jamieson (Dun); I Rowlands (WL), A Nelson (B), L Sutherland (BC); J Black (S), R Harrower (BG) ; C Everett (Cal), A Cameron (I), S Harrod (BC); S Savage (D), C Brodie (MH), G Finlay (BC);
11.0 B Fotheringham (F), J Mcdonald (Co), I Bratton (Ne); J Smallwood (Fe), T Wilson (Gl), D Joel (LN); F Bissett (B), M Mcphee (Bis), R Clarke(M); K Thomson (M), S Davidson (B), B Crosbie (Bl); D S Leighton (No), A Thomson (M), N Robson (MH); G Hay (G), D Wilson (DHR); R Douglas (I), A J Smith (T).

New Course Tuesday, October 7 & Old Course Wednesday, October 8

9.0 I McAulay (Elg), J D Murray (B); S Taylor (BG), J Rennie (Du); J S Edmiston (Bu), W Houston (To); A Robinson (TC), C Cassie (NB); K D Smith (St A), D Wood (Ne); K Ross (F/R), A Sturton (FP), N Agnew (DHR);
10.0 D Mcgregor (St A), N Rogers (K); G P White (Bu), G Knapp (MOO), A L Terras (El); P Sewell (WL), W F Thomson (M); M Chisholm (K), N Henderson (S), I Ritchie (M); M Mclaren (F/R), R S Beatt (S); D S Bisset (B), A Boxx (BG), J Kinsella (Br).
11.0 T Galloway (Du), J Mcnee (C); P Morrison (O), M Phillips (Bl), D Nelson (A); D Cruickshank (DHR), I Gordon (A), J S Miller (Bl); N Williamson (B), D Mckay (N), H Waddell (Ca); R S Lamond (Ba), N K Parker (Mu), N Sandison (C); R G Macpherson (M), H McNaughton (CB), A Douglas (CP).

Midland Golfers' Alliance tee times
Fraser Bros (Tyres) Pro-Am
LADYBANK GOLF CLUB, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2

8.30 M. Pirie, D. Cameron, M. Niven, D. Spaven.
8.38 K. McGowan, M. Wilson, N. Dickie, A. McKay.
8.46 C. Mackie, R. Redpath, R. Beatt, N. Henderson
8.54 R. Ford, J. Black, J. Brown, D. Roberts.
9.02 P. Jamieson, D. Anderson, L. Bushby, G. Mathieson.
9.10 R. Wallace, D. Black, A. Douglas, L. Kinnear.
9.18 J. Stevenson, A N Other, J. Stevenson, I. Mitchell
9.26 H. Wong, A. Mason, J. Mason, G. Muir.
9.34 N. McGill, J. Gray, D. Vickary, W. Smeaton.
9.42 A. McHardy I. Henderson D. Cargill I. Wilson
9.50 G. McLeod J. Roy N. McLeod A. Saunders
9.58 R. Walker M. Fraser K. Fraser R. Tait
10.06 D. McKay T. Anderson I. McMurray T. Davaney
10.14 D. Mitchell W. Miller G. Paton J. Meikle
10.22 P. Brookes R. Malcolm J. Rennie C. Westland
10.30 N. Cameron L. Irvine W. Farquharson D. Fordyce
10.38 C. Nugent B. Black R. De Rose T. McKenna
10.46 W. Crosbie S. Miller G. Gillespie R. Balbie
10.54 C. Donnelly F. McKay J. Milne (Jnr) J. Milne
11.02 F. Galloway J. Gray K. MacKenzie G. Lindsay
11.10 A. Reid D. Hutchison D. Redford J. Meddicks
11.18 J. Farmer J. Barnet G. Atkinson J. Wilson
11.26 S. Wilson D. SievewrightG. Taylor D. MacGregor
11.34 K. Salmoni H. Grant H. Cowborough R. Sinclair
11.42 S. Graham R. Barton H. Hunter G. Hyde
11.50 A. Webster K. Bruce A. Smith I. Milne
11.58 T. McLevy R. Taylor I. Butchart G. Tough
12.06 S. Harrod J. Leddy R. Lamont M. Phillips
12.14 R. Taylor G. Carmichael A. MacDiarmid F. Thomson
12.22 R. Storrier D. Adams A. Herd J. Cree (Jnr)
12.30 G. Finlay J. Ward J. Muir H. Gray
12.38 J. Craig D. Douglas M. Watkin J. Muirden
12.46. H. Salmond C. Wallace A. Lawrence G. Wilkie
12.54 E. Walker D. Adamson J. Edmiston G. White
1.02 L. Sutherland S. Andrews D. Morrison D. Hutcheon
1.10 M. Brown R. McDonald G. Cant R. Wallace
1.18 A. Paitkowski J. Breen W. Herron E. Sherry
1.26 R. Robertson N. Ballingall G. Duncan R. Keir

Paul Brookes wins Midlance Alliance at Alyth

Pitreavie professional Paul Brookes led the way with a three-under-par score of 67 in this week's Midland Golfers' Alliance competition at Alyth Golf Club.
Brookes had five birdies, three of them 2s.
Best net score of the day was a 65 by Ally Douglas (Caird Park), playing off 12.
Shot of the day came from Wellsgreen assistant Scott Spence who aced the 202yd 17th with a three-iron.

LEADING SCRATCH
Par 70
67 P Brookes (Pitreavie) p.
68 G Tough (Letham Grange), B Mason (Drumoig) p.
70 M Pirie (Pitlochry) p.
72 P Wytrazek (Burntisland) p, R Bell (Downfield), K Hutton (Downfield) p.
73 D McKay (Wellsgreen) p, C Storrier (Panmure) ap.
74 H Wong (Burntisland) (ap).

LEADING HANDICAP
65 A Douglas (Caird Park) (12).
68 C Wallace (Caird Park) (11)
69 J Gray (Craigiehill) (8), H Grant (Muckhart) (7), C Westland (Alloa) (11), J Milne jun (Drumoig (1o), G Tough (Letham Grange) (+1).
71 M Niven (Dunfermline) (4), A Mason (Thornton) (7), R Barton (Alloa) (8).
72 J Paisley (Lundin) (5), R Wallace (Milnathort) (10), H Salmond (Tulliallan) (4), A McDairmid) Crieff) (11), J Cree (Carnoustie) (14).

Qualifiers for the Midland Alliance Championship in April at Crail
P. Brookes (Pitreavie)
G. Tough (Letham Grange)
M. Pirie (Pitlochry)
P. Wytrazek (Burntisland)

Next Week's Meeting
Thursday, 2nd October
Fraser Brothers (Tyres)
Ladybank Golf Club
8.30 – 1.30

Glenbervie's Richard Johnston wins East
of Scotland's Ramsay Trophy

By KEITH LITTLE
Secretary, East of Scotland Alliance
The first Alliance outing of the 2008 - 2009 season was played today at Uphall Golf Club, with 90 members competing.
Gordon Law and the members of staff at Uphall gave us a warm welcome.
Comments about the course were very good, the general consensus being that the greens were good and the rough a bit punishing in places. So if you kept out of the rough and putted well, you had a chance of having a good score.
The overall winner of the Ramsay Trophy was Richard Johnston from Glenbervie.
Early starters Paul Arthur (King's Acre) and Peter Mitchell (Hermitage) set the pace in the scratch section with fine two under par scores of 67.
Their scores weren't bettered until Kenny Glen (Royal Musselburgh) shot 65, later in the day, which included five birdies and one bogey. Things weren't finished there however, in the final match Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) went one better, shooting 64. Richard had five birdies (2nd, 6th, 12th, 13th and 17th).
In the handicap section Willie Laing was the long time leader with a net 66. Jimmy Rankeillor from Baberton, out in match number twenty eight, shot 65 and was only just pipped at the post by Richard Johnston with 64 - 1 = 63.
Next week we're heading to Bathgate to play for the Gallacher Trophy. Stuart Callan, the members of Bathgate and I will look forward to seeing you then.

LEADING TOTALS
1 R Johnston (Glenbervie) 64.
2 K Glen (Musselburgh) 65.
3 P Arthur (King's Acre) 67.
4 P Mitchell (Hermitage) 67.
5 A MacKenzie (Duddingston) 68.
6 G Wright (West Linton) 68.
7 S Callan (Bathgate) 69.
8 G Law (Uphall) 69.
9 A Marshall (Houston GR) 70.
10 C Morris (Kingsknowe) 70.
11 D Patrick (Elie) 71.
12 M Thomson (Cardrona) 71.
13 T Buchanan (Duddingston) 72.
14 R Buckley (Craigielaw) 72.
15 C Fraser (Peebles) 72.
16 M David Graham (Duddingston) 72.
17 W Laing (Prestonfield) 72.
18 G Mackay (Prestonfield) 72.
19 T Mathieson (King's Acre) 72.
20 R Neill (Drumpellier) 72.
21 G Wither (Lothianburn) 72.
22 M Chaplin (Deer Park) 73.
23 D Fish (Glenbervie) 73.
24 S Grieve (Turnhouse) 73.
25 J Rankeillor (Baberton) 73.
26 S Doyle (Liberton) 74.
27 S Rosie (Glenbervie) 74.
28 C Rae (Pumpherston) 75.
29 A Rothney (Deer Park) 75.
30 I Rowlands (West Linton) 75.
31 T Wilson (Glenbervie) 75.

NEWS FROM THE NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE

Hugh Stuart captain of

Murcar Links Golf Club

in its Centenary Year

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Nice to see former Walker Cup star Hugh Stuart (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) in the McDonald Ellon clubhouse at today's North-east Alliance meeting.
He wasn't playing in the Alliance - more's the pity, but I understand that another North-east Walker Cup man of yesteryear, Sandy Pirie, was bending his ear at Ellon today about joining the autumn-winter-spring circuit.
Like so many career amateurs who have seen it all and done it all when they were younger, the urge to continue to play competitively seems to lessen as they get older.
Hugh, originally from Forres, of course, was telling me that he goes on as captain of Murcar Links Golf Club. Being made captain of your golf club is a great honour and it's a double whammy for Hugh because it is Murcar (Links) Golf Club's Centenary Year in 2009.
At the other end of his golfing career from Hugh Stuart is Scottish schoolboys champion Chris Robb (Inchmarlo) who returned a par 70 at today's meeting.
Chris played for Scotland in Monday's schoolboys international match against England who were narrow winners at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Chris says he would still be young enough to play in the 2009 international but for the fact that he has left/is leaving Banchory Academy (not quite sure about the timing) and will be a full time amateur golf for the best part of next year.
"After that I am going to go to the United States, hopefully to play on the college circuit for a number of years," said Chris.
"I've not done anything personally about it but I have a contact who will do the sounding out with the various universities and colleges to see if any of them will offer me a golf scholarship."
That Scottish schoolboys title, which he won over his home course this past June, should impress a few college golf coaches in America.
Met Curtis Cup player and Scottish women's amateur champion Michele Thomson in the McDonald Ellon clubhouse. Michele, of course, is now an honorary member of the club. Michele was giving nothing away to inquisitive golf writers about whether she intends to go to the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain in January.

There is nothing to stop Michele keeping her competitive eye in by playing in the weekly North-east Alliance competitions. She certainly would not be the first lady competitor to be play on the circuit.

As Tournament Controller of the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival, I've got my fingers firmly crossed that Michele will be one of the star entries for the February 11 to 17, four-event programme which is open to lady professionals or amateurs.

Her Curtis Cup captain from earlier in the season, Mary McKenna, has already filed her entry alongwith two of her Irish golfing friends.

Did Ian Smith, the retired Hazlehead professional, beat his age with a round of 74 at the Alliance today? Ian seemed pretty chuffed with his round but it's not the done thing to ask a gentleman his age, is it?

Huntly stalwart and scratch player Don Garrett tells me he will soon be playing out of Turriff as his home club. Huntly is next Wednesday's North-east Alliance venue.

The field for today's competition, by the way, was 109, stretching the McDonald Ellon club's car-parking facilities somewhat. It was the highest of the fledgling season after earlier meetings at Braemar and Kemnay.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE SCORES AT McDONALD ELLON TODAY

Teenager MacAndrew
shares Ellon honours
with McInnes on
four-under-par 66

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Royal Aberdeen teenager Donald MacAndrew (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) came in late in the day in a field of 109 to deny Murcar Links tour professional Graeme McInnes a second outright victory of the new North-east Golfers’ Alliance season at McDonald Ellon Golf Club.
First man out, McInnes posted a four-under-par 66 (36-30) before noon, thanks to a bogey-free inward half which included birdies at the 13th, 15th and 17th.
More than five hours later 18-year-old MacAndrew, a student at Robert Gordon University, returned his 66, also with halves of 36 and 30. Highlight was an eagle 2 at the 13th (254yd) where he drove the green and holed a 10ft putt.
"I hit most of the greens and fairways in regulation," said Donald, "and I missed one or two putts I should have holed."
Young Macandrew and the Law brothers, David and Chris, from the Hazlehead club are adding a welcome dimension of youth to the North-east Alliance. Long may it continue and expand so that other bright prospects can gain winter experience of playing with and against seasoned players, both professional and amateur.
McInnes won the opening fixture at Braemar and Banchory assistant pro Stewart Davidson won at Kemnay last week. Davidson had to settle for third place behind McInnes and MacAndrew with a 69.
With two holes to go, Davidson, who had birdied the fourth, sixth, ninth, 14th and 16th, needed one more birdie to win with a 65 or two pars to tie. Instead, he bogeyed the 17th and double-bogeyed the 18th for 34 home and a 69.
George Paterson (Northern) and Nick Robson (Meldrum House) were others who ran up 6s at the last when set to break 70. They finished on the par mark.

LEADING SCRATCH
Par 70
66 G McInnes (Murcar Links), D MacAndrew (Royal Aberdeen).
69 S Davidson (Banchory).
70 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo), D Garrett (Huntly), C Robb (Inchmarlo), G H Paterson (Northern), N Robson (Meldrum House).
71 B Brooks (Meldrum House), R Hyland (Craibstone), D Law (Hazlehead), B Nicolson (Auchmill).
72 A Campbell (Deeside), I Bratton (Newburgh), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links).
73 J Nicolson (Auchmill), C Law (Hazlehead).
74 J Mooney (Turriff), I D Smith (Hazlehead), C Clark (Mackenzie Club).
75 I Craik (Portlethen), C Nelson (Mackenzie Club), J Morris (Craibstone), D Wilson (Duff House Royal), F Bisset (Banchory), B Shaw (Banchory), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal), C Stephen (Meldrum House), C Brodie (Meldrum House).
76 N Hardie (Kintore), L Prouse (Hazlehead), R L Nicoll (Murcar Links), J M Hamilton (Murcar Links), C S Davidson (Braemar).
77 R Stewart (Cruden Bay), A Graham (Portlethen), D Corkey (Murcar Links).
78 R Black (Banchory), C Trahan (Royal Aberdeen), S Murray (Northern).
79 S Scott (Auchmill), D McKay (Caledonian).
80 J Borthwick (Craibstone), F G Gray (Newmachar), D Philip (Newburgh), M Holley (Braemar), A Grant (Portlethen), K Davidson (Turriff), D Naylor (Banchory).

LEADING HANDICAP
Class 1 – D MacAndrew (Royal Aberdeen) (2) 64; I D Smith (Hazlehead) (8) 66; N Hardie (Kintore) (8), W Shaw (Banchory) (7) 68; B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2) 69; J Morris (Craibstone) (5), J Hamilton (Murcar Links) (6), D Garrett (Huntly) (scr), C Law (Hazlehead) (3), G H Paterson (Northern) (scr) 70.
Class 2 – M Rogers (Kemnay) (14) 69; R Alison (Deeside) (14) 70; M Ord (Royal Aberdeen) (12) 71; F Barclay (Kintore) (10), D Wood (Newburgh) (12), S Higgins (Royal Aberdeen) (10), D Bisset (Banchory) (9) 70.

TODAY'S LEADING SCORECARDS

McDONALD ELLON PAR OF 70: OUT: 4-4-4-5-4-4-3-4-5-37. IN: 4-3-3-4-4-3-4-4-4-33

GRAEME McINNES 66
OUT: 5-3-4-4-5-3-3-4-5--36.
IN: 4-3-3-3-4-2-3-4-4--30

DONALD MacANDREW 66
OUT: 4-4-4-5-3-4-3-4-5--36.
IN: 4-3-3-2-3-3-4-4-4--30.

STEWART DAVIDSON 69
OUT: 4-4-5-4-4-3-3-3-5--35.
IN: 4-3-3-4-3-3-3-5-6--34.

RYAN FITZPATRICK 70
OUT: 4-5-4-4-3-4-2-4-6--36.
IN: 4-3-2-5-4-3-4-5-4--34.

DON GARRETT 70
OUT: 4-4-5-5-4-4-3-4-5--38.
IN: 4-3-4-4-3-2-3-5-4--32

CHRIS ROBB 70
OUT: 4-5-3-5-3--5-4-5-5--39.
IN: 5-3-3-3-3-3-3-4-4--31

GEORGE PATERSON 70
OUT: 3-4-5-5-4-4-4-3-5--37.
IN: 3-4-3-3-3-3-4-4-6--33.
NICK ROBSON 70
OUT: 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-3-4--35.
IN: 4-3-4-3-4-3-4-4-6--35

New Secretary for North Alliance Golfers

Brora Golf Club secretary Tony Gill has taken over the duties of secretary-treasurer of the North Golf Alliance that encompasses the golf clubs in Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness.
Since this alliance was formed in 1965 there have been only three secretaries, Eion Mackintosh of Royal Dornoch who, on his untimely death ,was followed into the post in 1970 by Golspie's Jim Fraser and the retiring secretary, Brora's Robin Wilson, who held the position for the past 34 years.
Eion Mackintosh and Jim Fraser were two of three golfers along with Brora's Hugh Baillie who in 1965 came up with the idea of continuing a mild form of competitive play through the winter months at Brora, Dornoch and Golspie to continue interest and maintain swings until the start of the following season.
The concept immediately caught on and Tain and Wick soon agreed to be part of the alliance association of clubs willing to host fixtures.
In the 1970s, venues spread to Thurso and Reay in Caithness and now reach the furthermost northwesterly course on the mainland, Durness, and out to the easterly lighthouse of Portmahomack.
In the early years it was envisaged that the clubs would get a small return through bar revenue and golf ball sales, for these were to be the prizes funded by the small entry fee of £1, 50 pence retained as a green fee to the hosting club.
Golf balls remain the eagerly sought prizes and the artisan element remains the bond between the clubs. The entry fee has been retained at just £7 for the coming season of which £5 gets donated as a green fee.
At the North Alliance's height, attendances regularly topped three figures with membership close to 300. This has fallen away to an average of 75 per fixture and a membership level of 150. But fixtures have increased and at the recent annual meeting of delegates the following fixtures, dates and venues were set for the coming winter, commencing at Durness on Sunday, October 5. Tee times for this fixture should be sought from Lucy Mackay, secretary of Durness Golf Club.
The full North Alliance list for 2008-2009 is
October
5 Durness.
12 Thurso.
19 Tarbat.
26 Invergordon.
November
2 Golspie.
16 Reay.
23 Tain.
30 Royal Dornoch.
December
7 Wick.
14 Brora
January 2009
18 Tain.
February
1 Wick.
15 Dornoch Struie.
March
1 Reay.
22 Brora 9 (final).

THE MIDLANDS GOLFERS ALLIANCE

The Midlands Golfers Alliance held two meetings this week , the Mixed Foursomes at Auchterarder on Monday 15th. September and a normal meeting at Pitlochry on Thursday 18th. September. Both were held in rather wet condition both overhead and underfoot.
The results were as follows.

Mixed Foursomes at Auchterarder on 15/09/08

Scratch winners were H. Cowborough, Muckhart and E Sneddon, Tillicoultry with a score of 78.
Handicap winners were C. Westland, and L. McAinsh both Alloa 65.5, C. Mitchell, Blairgowrie and J. Lang Alyth 71 , J. Edmiston and E. Mathieson both Buntisland 72.


Meeting at Pitlochry on 18/09/08

Scratch B. Mason (P) Drumoig 66, A. Lockhart(P) Ladybank 68, G. Findlay +1 Ballumbie 69, J. Stevenson(P) Braehead 72, L. Vannet (P) Carnoustie 72

Handicap, C. Wallace 8 Caird Park 69, A.Mckay 11 Pitlochry 70, G. Findlay +1 Ballumbie 70, C. Westland 11 Alloa 70, R. Bell 5 Pitlochry 71 and H. Cowborough 6 Muckhart 71


Qualifiers for the Championship at Pitlochry in April 2009

A. Lockhart, J. Stevenson, H. Wong and R. McDonald.


The Next meeting is at Alyth on Thursday 25th. September 2008 , 0830 to 1230.

SCOTTISH ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES

Entries are still being accepted for the Scottish Golfers' Alliance championship, to be played at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth from October 7 to 9.
Entry forms are available on request by E-mailing alan.nsga@btinternet.com
Tee times between 9am and 1pm are available.

DAVIDSON WINS BY TWO WITH
A 68 AT KEMNAY IN
NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE

Banchory assistant professional Stewart Davidson won today's North-east Alliance competition at Kemnay Golf Club with an excellent round of three-under-par 68.
Given that the course was closed on Tuesday because of its waterlogged condition, it was still very wet underfoot 24 hours later but Davidson played one of his best rounds as an Alliance member. He had birdies at the seventh, eighth, 11th, 14th and 16th with a couple of bogeys, at the third and 10th, in halves of 35 (one under) and 33 (two under).
Davidson headed the field of 98 by two shots from the last man to finish, Westhill club professional George Bruce who made a good recovery to return at 70 after bogeyed the first and fourth and still being two over par on the 12th tee. He then birdied the 12th, bogeyed the 13th but birdied the 15th, 17th and 18th for 32 home.
Murcar tour professional Graeme McInnes, winner of the opening meeting at Braemar, came third with a par 71. Graeme birdied the second, 11th and 13th but dropped shots at the seventh, 10th and 14th in halves of 36 and 35.
LEADING SCRATCH
Par 71
68 S Davidson (Banchory).
70 G Bruce (Westhill).
71 G McInnes (Murcar Links).
72 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo), N Robson (Meldrum House).
74 B Brooks (Meldrum House), I Craik (Portlethen), C Nelson (Mackenzie Club), A Smith (Turriff), D Read (Banchory), S Chalmers (Banchory), B Nicolson (Auchmill).
75 S Cooper (Banchory).
76 B Main (Murcar Links), H Roulston (Stonehaven), C Clark (Mackenzie Club), G Paterson (Northern).
77 I Bratton (Newburgh), C Law (Hazlehead), D Garrett (Huntly), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal).
LEADING HANDICAP
Class 1 - S Cooper (Banchory) (6) 69; J Dalgarno (Hazlehead) (8), A Smith (Turriff) (4) 70; H Roulston (Stonehaven) (5), D Read (Banchory) (3) 71; B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2) 72; M Holley (Braemar) (5), D Cruickshank (Duff House Royal) (7), C Brodie (Meldrum House) (5), N Robson (Meldrum House) (Meldrum House) ((+1) 73.
Class 2 - C Cassie (Nigg Bay) (9) 70; N Stewart (Northern) (12), J Short (Murcar Links) (13) 74; D Bisset (Banchory) (9) 75; S Kennedy (Craibstone) (12), D Randall (Banchory) (15), B Bavidge (Murcar Links) (10) 76.

SCORECARDS OF THE LEADERS

STEWART DAVIDSON 68 (-3)
Bogey at 3rd, birdies at seven and eight: Out 35 (-1).
Bogey at 10, birdies at 11, 14 and 16: In 33 (-2)

GEORGE BRUCE 70 (-1)
Bogeys at 1 and 4. Out in 38 (+2).
Birdie at 12. Bogey at 13. Birdies at 15, 17 and 18. In 32 (-3)

GRAEME McINNES 71 (par)
Birdie at 2, bogey at 7. Out 36 (par).
Bogey at 10th. Birdies at 11 and 13. Bogey at 14. In 35 (par).

RYAN FITZPATRICK 72 (+1)
Bogeys at 7, 8 and 9. Out 39 (+3).
Birdies at th 12, 15 and 16. Bogey at 18. In 33 (-2).

NICK ROBSON (72)
Bogey (3 putts) at 4th. Every other hole he parred with 2 putts.
Out 37 (+1)
In 35 (par)

McGowan and McNicoll tie on 69 at
Midland Alliance at windy Forfar

This week's Midland Golfers' Alliance, held at a blustery Forfar Golf Club, produced a tie for first scratch between Burntisland assistant professional Kris McGowan and Scotland international Keir McNicoll, a +5 member of Carnoustie Golf Club.
They both had level par scores of 69.
There was a tie also in the handicap section with Hugh Hunter, who plays off 10 at Alloa Golf Club, matching a net 69 by David Black, a 12-handicapper at Dunfermline Golf Club.
LEADING SCRATCH
69 K McGowan (Burntisland) ap, K McNicoll (Carnoustie).
70 B Mason (Drumoig) p, L Vannet (Carnoustie Links).
71 D McKay (Wellsgreen) p.
72 S Rettie (All Golf Swing) p, T Melville (Alyth) p.
73 H Wong (Burntisland) ap, E Walker (Burntisland) ap, P Brookes (Pitreavie) p, S Harrod (Ballumbie Castle).
74 D Wilson (Monifieth), E Rae (Arbroath), A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap).
LEADING HANDICAP
69 H Hunter (Alloa) (10), D Black (Dunfermline) (12).
70 D Wilson (Monifieth) (4), N McLeod (Monifieth) (5).
71 E Rae (Arbroath) (3), F McKay (Drumoig) (6), D Adams (Carnoustie) (5).
72 R Lamont (Bathgate) (9), S Harrod (Ballumbie Castle) (1).
73 J Paisley (Lundin) (5), J Bruce (Edzell) (2), D Morrison (Downfield) (11), J Ward (Carnoustie) (9), R Farquhar (Carnoustie) (8), R Ford (Scotscraig) (2), J Cree jun (Thornton) (10).

Qualifiers for the Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Pitlochry

K McGowan (Burntisland) ap.
K McNicoll (Carnoustie) (+5).
B. Mason (Drumoig) p.

Next week's meetings

Monday, September 15
Auchterarder (Mixed)
9.30 – 12.30
Thursday 18th September
Pitlochry
8.30 – 12.30

McINNES WINS OPENING NORTH-EAST
ALLIANCE MEETNG AT BRAEMAR

Graeme McInnes (Murcar Links) won the first North-east Golfers' Alliance of the 2008-2009 season with a two-under-par 63 at Braemar.
He headed a field of 77 with a scorecard of birdies at the fourth, 11th, 14th and 16th and bogeys at the 10th and 17th.
Andrew Campbell (Deeside) was runner-up with a 65 which included birdies at the ninth, 11th, 16th and 17th but bogeys at the second, sixth, 14th and 18th.

Leading scores
SCRATCH
Par 65
63 G McInnes (Murcar Links).
65 A Campbell (Deeside).
66 I Buchan (Craibstone), J Nicolson (Auchmill).
67 C Nelson (Mackenzie Club), M Barnard (Inchmarlo), S Davidson (Banchory), F G Gray (Newmachar), D Law (Hazlehead).
68 B Main (Murcar Links), G Paterson (Northern).
69 R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo).
70 C Law (Hazlehead), S Chalmers (Banchory), D Garrett (Huntly), C Stephen (Meldrum House), W S Urquhart (Murcar Links).
HANDICAP
Class 1 - F G Gray (Newmachar) (7) 60; J Dalgarno (Hazlehead) (8) 63; C Dempster (Inchmarlo) (8) 64; A Campbell (Deeside) (scr), J Nicolson (Auchmill) (1) 65; C Alexander (Murcar Links) 66.
Class 2 - G Homer (Lumphanan) (11) 64; J Scott (Peterculter) (11) 65; J Kinsella (Braemar) (9) 66; H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (11), G Kelly (Peterculter) (14) 68; P Cornfield (Auchmill) (12) 69.

Brian Mason's 69 best Midland Alliance
scratch return at Muckhart

Drumoig driving range professional Brian Mason had the best score of two-under-par 69 at this week's Midland Golfers' Alliance meeting, held at sunny Muckhart Golf Club in Clackmannanshire.
There was a three-way tie for first place in the handicap section between Lee Bushby (Strathmore) (6), Chris Westland (Alloa) (11) and, for the second week in a row, James Milne (Drumoig) (10).
LEADING SCRATCH
69 B Mason (Drumoig) p.
70 S Thomson (Kirkcaldy) ap.
71 CMatheson (Falkirk Tryst) ap.
72 D McKay (Wellsgreen) p, S Rettie (All Swing Golf Centre) p,
73 G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle).
74 S O’Donnell (Balbirnie Park) ap.
76 M Niven (Dunfermline), L Bushby (Strathmore).
LEADING HANDICAP
70 L Bushby (Strathmore) (6), C Westland (Alloa) (11), James Milne (Drumoig) (10).
72 M Niven (Dunfermline) (4), R Barton (Alloa) (8).
73 K Thompson (Alloa) (13), C Myles (Monifieth) (6).
74 G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) (+1).

Qualifiers for the Midland Golfers' Alliance Championship in April at Pitlochry:
B Mason (Drumoig) (p), S Thomson (Kirkcaldy) ap, C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) ap.

Next meeting is at Forfar Golf Club on Wednesday, September 10. Tee reserved from 9am to 1pm.

Home Midland Alliance win by Lee Sutherland

After the cancellation of the first meeting , the Midland Golfers' Alliance got the new 2008-9 season under way, sponsored by Andrew Herd, at a sunny but blustery Ballumbie Castle Golf Course in Dundee.
Leading the way was host professional Lee Sutherland with a level par score of 69. Lee also led his team of Colin Myles (Monifieth) (6) and George Cant (Monifieth) (8) to victory in the team competition with a score of 59.
Best net score of the day was produced by James Milne (Drumoig) (10) - a fine 69.

LEADING SCRATCH
69 L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p.
70 L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
71 G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle).
75 K Hutton (Downfield) p.
76 M Niven (Dunfermline).
77 R Redpath (Scotscraig).

LEADING HANDICAP
69 James Milne (Drumoig) (10).
72 M Niven (Dunfermline) (4), J Rennie (Dunfermline) (12), G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) (+1).
73 D Black (Dunfermline) (12), R Redpath (Scotscraig) (4).
74 I Henderson (Craigiehill) (6).

ANDREW HERD TEAM COMPETITION
59 L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p, C Myles (Monifieth) (6), G Cant (Monifieth) (8).
62 F McKay (Drumoig) (6), James Milne (Drumoig) (10), Jim Milne (Drumoig) (14) (better inward half); K Hutton (Downfield) p, A Herd (Scotscraig) (11), D Adams (Carnoustie) (4).

Qualifiers for the Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Pitlochry
L Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle) p.
L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle).

Next Week's Meeting
Thursday, 4th September
Muckhart (tee reserved from 8.30 am to 12.30)

NE Alliance agm date and
fixtures for 2008-2009 season

The annual meeting of the North-east of Scotland Golfers' Alliance will be held at 7.30pm on Monday, September 8 at the Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen.
Entry forms for the Scottish Alliance championship at Moray Golf Club, Loss9iemouth Ffrom October 7 to 9, will be available at the meeting.
North-east Alliance fixtures for the 2008-2009 season are:
September 10 Braemar. 17 Kemnay. 24 McDonald Ellon.
October 1 Huntly. 7-9 Scottish Alliance championship (Lossiemouth). 15 Insch. 22 Ballater. 29 Edzell.
November 5 Deeside. 12 Turriff. 19 Newmachar. 26 Portlethen.
December 3 Cruden Bay.
Mid-winter break.
January 7 Craibstone. 14 Peterhead. 21 Buckpool. 28 Inverallochy.
February 4 Montrose. 11 Kintore. 18 Murcar Links. 25 Duff House Royal.
March 4 Fraserburgh. 11 Buckpool (championship first round). 18 Newburgh (championship second round). 26-27 Alliance foursomes (Murcar Links).

Scottish Alliance championship at Lossie, October 7-9

The Scottish Golfers' Alliance championship will be held over the Moray Golf Club's Old and New Courses from October 7 to 9.
The North-east Alliance season will tee off at Braemar Golf Club on Wednesday, September 10.