Royal Musselburgh secured victory in the East Region Final of the 2010 Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship at West Linton today (Tuesday 13th July).
The partnership of Richard Bush (Captain) and John Gilmour (Secretary) posted a six under par score of 63 to win the regional qualifier by one-shot from runners-up Dunbar Castle’s Nigel Bower & Ian Jevons.
In beautiful conditions at West Linton the North Berwick pairing of Christopher Spence and Peter Keely on 65 took third place and the final prize position, on the better inward half from fourth-placed qualifiers Duddingston. The four remaining Clubs to qualify for the Grand Final were Murrayfield and Baberton who both scored a superb 66, Cardrona who finished on 67 and Ratho Park whose best last six holes of 21 was good enough to fend off eight further clubs who carded a one-under par 68.
Winning partnership Bush & Gilmour who have a handicap of eight and fifteen respectively began their round on the 12th hole in today’s ‘shot-gun start’ format. Despite starting slowly with a bogey on their opening hole the Royal Musselburgh pair were in outstanding form and fired seven birdies and an eagle on their way to victory. The team used their shots to great effect, making only one ‘natural birdie’ in a master-class of team handicap golf.
Winning Secretary John Gilmour commented that both players contributed equally to the victory:
“We gelled really well as a team, we both played well but had our individual best moments at different holes which is what it is all about playing a better-ball format. Without holing any particularly long putts we both putted solidly and holed out every time from inside five feet”
Like many fellow competitors Captain Richard Bush heaped praise on host course West Linton:
“The course was superb, I’d heard a lot of good stories about it but this was my first time trying it myself and it certainly didn’t fall short of expectations. We are both delighted to have won and are very much looking forward to the Grand Final!”
The Belhaven Best sponsored mixed event for Club Captains and Secretaries is now in its fifth season and has quickly become one of the most popular events amongst SGU affiliated clubs. The fifth and final Regional Final will take place at Cathcart Castle on Tuesday 17th August with the Grand Final taking place at Murrayshall on Tuesday 21st September.
