Glorious sunshine and a course in really superb condition greeted 150 golfers when they arrived at Helensburgh Golf Club to play the 27th annual Helensburgh Lions Club Charity Golf Day last Thursday. Teams from the local club were joined by many visiting teams from across the West of Scotland.
The stableford format made for an enjoyable day which produced excellent scoring, seven teams accumulated a excellent 47 points and the winners were decided on count back.
Local teams took the first three places. The winners were the Monster Squad, Mark Birnie , Stewart Jenkins and Alan Birnie, in second place the Golf Buddies, Jim McKenzie, Phil English and Jamie Francis, and third The Ups and Downs, Phil Armstrong, Jack Armstrong and Gareth Rollings.
A visiting team McCrea Financial Services, Doug Hall, Graham McDowell and Eddie McAllister came fourth and competition regulars the Rear Gunners, Gordon Mickel, Graham Reid and John Steele were fifth. For the first time a team of ladies took a major prize when the Golden Girls, Carol Bell, Liz Cordner and Grace Martin took sixth place – if only that putt had gone in !
The Golden Girls won the Ladies prize closely followed by a team comprising of June Haggarty, Marie Carling and Gail Waddell.
A prize was available for nearest the pin on all the Par 3 holes. Graeme Porter was nearest on the 3rd, Chris McFarlane won the 9th and Alan Jack the 11th. Regular supporter of the event Alan Scott took the prize on the 16th.
The prize for the longest drive on the 8th was won by Andy McPherson and Dominic Taylor was the popular winner on the 18th hole with a superb drive.
The highest aggregate on the Par 3 holes was won by McCrea Financial Services and special visitors prizes went to Cawder Marauders and Weapons of Grass Destruction.
Before the presentation of prizes Lions Club President Don MacDonald thanked the Captain, Management Committee and members of Helensburgh Golf Club for allowing the Lions Club the courtesy of the course and their ongoing support.
Don thanked the bar team and the caterers for making the day so enjoyable and Fraser Hall and the Pro shop team for their invaluable help he also congratulated Robert Bacon and his team for presenting the course in such fantastic condition.
The Lions Club would like to thank all the hole and prize sponsors and were delighted by the generous response of the participants, over £2,600 was raised to support local causes.
During the afternoon the club presented the Helensburgh branch of Alzheimers Scotland with a projector, screen, DVDs , books and other material costing £1798 for use in the “memories” room at the newly opened Resource Centre. Next week the Lions Club are holding a “Ritz” style Tea for 70 local Senior Citizens.
