The two championship standard courses proved to be a stern test for record entry of close on 240 players over the two days.
Early and late starters on the first championship day, Tuesday 4th September, encountered very different conditions, with the early starters enjoying dry weather with little or no wind, whilst the later starters had drizzle and a stiff south westerly breeze to contend with.
On day two of the championship, Wednesday 5th September, competitors faced an unusual north wind in cloudy conditions.
With the 0-9 handicap players over the irvine course on the Tuesday, best scratch scores of the day were returned by Jim Gilmour (Strathclyde) and Alan White (Dumfries & Galloway) with one over par 72's.
best nett over the Bogside links on the first day was Alan White, with a nett 69, off his 3 handicap.
Best nett score of the day over West Kilbride, for the 10 - 18 handicappers on the first day was level par 71, by Gavin Aitken (Strathclyde) and Brian Anderson (Central).
On the second day of competition, best scratch over West Kilbride for the 0 - 9 handicap players was returned by Matthew Malpas (Strathclyde), his scratch score of 69 giving him an ultimate third place in the Championship. Malpas also returned the only sub 70 nett score over West Kilbride on day 2, with his nett 68.
Best nett of the day over Irvine on Wednesday, for the 10 - 18 handicap players, was returned by Robert Yuille (Fife) whose 71 was a full 14 shots better than his previous days effort at West Kilbride.
At the conclusion of the competition, Mrs. Malcolm, wife of Strathclyde Police ACC John Malcolm presented prizes to the winners.
SCOTTISH POLICE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP CUP
The premier trophy in the SPGA Championships was won this year, for the eighth time, by retired officer Henry Anderson (Central Scotland Police). Henry (pictured below), traied by 4 shots after his first day 76 over Irvine (Bogside) but a superb 72 at West Kilbride on day 2 gave him a 148 total which took the title by a clear two shots. 2007 marked the 30th anniversary of Henry's first championship win, in 1977 at Duddingston and Prestonfield.
Two times winner David Thomson (Lothian & Borders) - pictured right - was runner up this year, scores of 79 and 71 giving him a 150 total, whilst his superb second round of 69 gave Matthew Malpas (Strathclyde) - pictured below -a 151 total and third place, by virtue of the better round over West Kilbride.
Fourth place in ths scratch championship went to retired Strathclyde officer Willie Brown who scored 75 over Irvine and 76 over West Kilbride for a 151 total.
In the First class (0 - 9) handicap competition, for the WILLIE MERRILEES TROPHY, 3 handicapper Alan White (Dumfries & Galloway) - pictured below - follwed his opening nett 69 over the Bogside course with a nett 75 over West Kilbride for a 144 total, to take the trophy by a single shot.
Runner up in the 0 - 9 handicap category was 6 handicapper Ross Stewart (Strathclyde) whose nett rounds of 74 over Irvine and 71 over West Kilbride gave him second place by virtue of the best score over West Kilbride, just ahead of Ricky Nicol (Strathclyde), whose returns of 73 & 72 off his 5 handicap gave him third place .
Fourth nett in the 0 - 9 category was SPGA Committee Member Jim Stevenson (Strathclyde) - pictured right. Playing off a handicap of 5, Stevenson returned 74 over Bogside and 72 over West Kilbride for a 146 total.
In the 10 - 18 handicap class competition for the SCOTTISH OFFICE CHALLENGE CUP, an extremely close contest saw local officer Derek Anderson (Strathclyde) - pictured below -, playing off 12, shoot 73 over West Kilbride and 75 over Irvine (Bogside) for a 148 total, to triumph by virtue of the best round over West Kilbride.
Runner up in the 10 - 18 handicap category was Wilson Rennie (Grampian) - pictured right - a 76 over West Kilbride, off his 11 handicap, being followed with a 72 over Irvine (Bogside) for a 148 total.
Third place went to Graham Neill (Lothian & Borders) with 74 - 78 for a 152 total, taking third by virtue of the best round over West Kilbride.
Fourth in the class was Peter Field (Tayside) with rounds of 78 - 74 for 152.
In the Ladies competition for the SCOTTISH POLICE GOLF ASSOCIATION TROPHY, the championship became a contest between two county champions, with victory going to former Stirling & Clackmaninshire County champion, Linda Allan (Strathclyde) - pictured below -, who edged out former Scottish and Ayrshire Ladies Champion Alison Gemmill (Strathclyde) by two shots.
Allan, playing off a handicap of 4, had a nett 71 over Irvine (Bogside) on the first day, to lead the field by four shots. Allan could only manage a nett 78 over West Kilbride on day 2, for a 149 total. Despite bettering Allan over West Kilbride, Alison Gemmill - pictured right -, playing off 2, only reduced the defecit by two strokes, her scores of 75 - 76 for 151 falling two short of victory.
14 handicapper Gillian Gibson (Strathclyde) - pictured right - was third with 81 - 78 for a 159 total, whilst recently crowned British Ladies Police Champion, 5 handicapper Donna McLeod (Northern), was fourth on 162 (84-78).
In the scratch team competition for the SCOTTISH POLICE GOLF TROPHY, the Tayside No. 1 team of Tom McLevy, Jon Anton, David McGregor & Gary Simpson combined for a 459 team total and victory by two shots. members of the winning team are pictured below.
Runners up, with a total of 461, were the Lothian & Borders team of Fraser Jervis, Scott Reid, David Thomson & John Hunter. Team members Fraser Jervis and David Thomson are pictured receiving the trophy and awards on behalf of Lothian & Borders Team No. 1.
The handicap team competition for the GLASGOW HERALD TROPHY was an all Strathclyde affair.
Robin Paton, Linda Allan, Stuart Boyd & Jim Stevenson of Strathclyde Team No. 4 - pictured below - combined for a team total of 446 to take the trophy by a single shot.
Runners up, with a 447 total, were the Strathclyde Team no. 5 of Stuart Wilson - pictured right receiving his teams awards - Jim Jack, Ricky Nicol & Colin Harris.
On Tuesday 4th September, 7 retired or serving Chief Officers contested the Chief Officers competition for the RODERICK ROSS CHALLENGE CUP.
Runner up was Kevin Smith (Strathclyde) with 92 - 20 = 72, who was three shots adrift of the winner Tom Caldwell (Strathclyde) with 78 - 9 = 69
A record number of 43 retired officers contested the MORRISON ROSEBOWL for retired officers.
The overall champion Henry Anderson (Central Scotland Police) - pictured below - won the retired officers event with his 144 nett total being a full four shots ahead of the field.
Runner up in the retired officers event was Malcolm Graham Jr. (Lothian & Borders), nett round of 71 over irvine and 77 over West Kilbride, off his 2 handicap, giving him a total of 148.
Third place went to Willie Brown (Strathclyde), the 1 handicapper returning 74 - 75 for a 149 total.
Fourth in the retired officers competition was local member Robin Paton (Strathclyde) -pictured right.
Playing off 5, Paton had a nett 74 over Irvine and 77 over his home course at West Kilbride for a 151 total and fourth place by virtue of the best round over West Kilbride. Also on 151, but losing out to Paton, was local man Jim Jack (Strathclyde).
Playing off 5, Paton had a nett 74 over Irvine and 77 over his home course at West Kilbride for a 151 total and fourth place by virtue of the best round over West Kilbride. Also on 151, but losing out to Paton, was local man Jim Jack (Strathclyde).
The SPGA committee members played over West Kilbride on Monday 3rd September, for the PRESIDENTS CHALICE.
The competition was won this year by the Treasurer, Jim Boyd (Strathclyde) - pictured below - with a fine score of 73 - 1 = 72, for a four stroke victory.
There were two neares the hole prizes each day on the championship courses. Special mention must go to Jim Gilmour (Strathclyde) - pictured right - who made the nearest in two at the last competition at Irvine on the Tuesday the shortest lived competition of its kind. Playing in the first game, Gilmour hit his second shot in to 8 inches, to egffectively end the competition virtually before it had even begun !!.
There were two neares the hole prizes each day on the championship courses. Special mention must go to Jim Gilmour (Strathclyde) - pictured right - who made the nearest in two at the last competition at Irvine on the Tuesday the shortest lived competition of its kind. Playing in the first game, Gilmour hit his second shot in to 8 inches, to egffectively end the competition virtually before it had even begun !!.
Also present to receive their prizes on Wednesday night were Stuart Croll (Strathclyde) - pictured right -who was nearest the 18th at West Kilbride in 2 on the Wednesday, and Steven Pender (Lothian & Borders) - pictured below - who was closest to the 16th on Tuesday at Irvine (Bogside)
Other nearst the hole prizewinners were :-
Tuesday 4th September
West Kilbride 12th - Ross Dodd (Lothian & Borders)
West Kilbride 18th in 2 - malcolm Sclater (Northern)
Wednesday 5th September
West Kilbride 12th - Colin Harris (Strathclyde)
Irvine 16th - Paul Stephenson (Dumfries & Galloway)
Irvine 18th in 2 - Roy lake (Central Scotland Police)
At the conclusion of the competition, competitors & guests were entertained by the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, prior to the presentation of prizes.
For those mindful fo their handicap, the CSS for the competition days were as follows :-
Strathclyde Assistant Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, makes a presentation on behalf of the force to the starters team at Irvine, Led by retired officer Jack Steel.
Willie Clark (Central) checks up on just what he has to do to make sure he takes the money from Peter Craig (Again!!)
Tuesday 4th September
Irvine G.C. - Gents (0-9 handicaps) - 75 (+3)
Irvine G.C. - Ladies (0-9 handicaps) - 74 (0)
West Kilbride G.C. - gents (10-18 handicaps) - 74 (+3)
West Kilbride G.C. - ladies (10-24 handicaps) - (+3) reduction only
Wednesday 5th September
Irvine G.C. - Gents (10-18 handicaps) - 75 (+3)
Irvine G.C. - Ladies (10-18 handicaps) - (+3) reduction only
West Kilbride G.C. - Gents (0-9 handicaps) - 73 (+2)
West Kilbride G.C. - Ladies (0-9 handicaps) - (+3) reduction only
Competitors are reminded that the competition is a qualifying event under the CONGU regulations and scores should be notified by players to their home club, for handicap adjustment.
Finally, a few snapshots which will hopefully bring back memories of the 83rd Scottish Police Golf Championships and the visit to the Ayrshire coast at West Kilbride and Irvine (Bogside), and we look forward to 2008 and the 84th championships at Murcar and Kenmay.
Ali G gets ready to go as West
Kilbride's answer to Ricky Fulton prepares to announce her arrival.
Kilbride's answer to Ricky Fulton prepares to announce her arrival.
Strathclyde Assistant Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, makes a presentation on behalf of the force to the starters team at Irvine, Led by retired officer Jack Steel.
Big Bob's on the move at West Kilbride... and still smiling.
No.......not an episode of Last Of The Summer Wine. Bob studies the form books at West Kilbride.
What do you mean you didn't like the soup !!!!!!!!.........Mine host, Stuart, gave all the competitors a meal to remember at Irvine
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