Colin Callander Claims 2016 R & A Salver At Royal Troon.

It was a sunny but biting cold wind that greeted those participating in the Open Championship Media Facilitation Day outing at Royal Troon. The R & A, and for a fourth year running, was kind enough to allow the AGW to conduct the R & A Salver as part of their on-course competitions. Twenty of the 45 that teed-up were AGW members and in what was the second and final event of the 2016 AGW ‘Scottish Swing’. Colin Callander, playing off a handicap of seven, battled the conditions best not only winning the overall competition but also claiming the AGWs R & A Salver with 38 points. Colin capped his round at the downwind par five fourth hole hitting driver, 6-iron to just nine feet and rolling in the ‘eagle’ putt.  Then at he next par five, the 6th, Colin lipped-out from 20-feet for what would have been a second eagle in the space of three holes. The effort saw Colin go out in 21 points but he admitted he then ‘panicked’ on the last and failed to score point but overall still won by two points.  The win ensures Colin has now captured four of present five AGW tournaments and with the Ron Moseley Memorial Trophy not yet bearing Colin’s name. Victory has also moved Colin to within a point of the lead in the ETIQUS – 2016 AGW Golfer of the Year after our leader, Alistair Tait tied ninth with 27 points. Phil Casey again showed his fondness for links golf finishing second to Colin with 36 points and after capturing the inaugural R & A Salver in 2013 at Muirfield. Fergus Bisset and Shane O’Donoghue were third with 34 points. It was the second day in succession Fergus posted 34 points. Rob Perkins, winner a day earlier in capturing the Ron Moseley Memorial Trophy, earned the nearest-to-the-pin prize at the famed ‘Postage Stamp’ 8th hole while Dan Murphy took out the longest drive. I must mention your Secretary captained the winning team to finally seal a ‘down under’ victory at Royal Troon, and 29 years after two countrymen lost out in a play-off in what was then my first Open Championship … and in the process managing to avoid ‘Norman’s Bunker’ down the right side of 18. A very special thank you again to the R & As Mike Woodcock and in particular to Lynn Wallace, Mary Flanagan and Clare Welsh for all their arrangements in hosting the AGW. And with Lynn to miss this year’s Open due to the birth of a first child, the AGW presented her with a small ‘thank you/new mum’ gift for the invaluable support and assistance she affords the golfing media in general. Results – R & A Salver, Royal Troon. Colin Callander (Handicap 7) – 38 points Phil Casey (18) – 36 Fergus Bisset (4) – 34 Shane O’Donoghue (6) – 34 Rob Perkins (15) – 33 Dan Murphy (3) – 32 Neil Squires (28) – 32 Mike Aitken (16) – 30 Robin Barwick (22) – 27 Alistair Tait (11) – 27 Bernie McGuire (16) – 26 Martin Dempster (12) – 26 Dick Turner (16) – 25 Iain Carter (7) – 24 Nick Rodger (18) – 24 Neil McLeman (21) – 24 Phil Reid (17) – 23 Dave Edwards (18) – 23 Dave Facey (17) – 19 Euan McLean (12) – 14   ETIQUS – 2016 AGW Golfer of the Year standings – Updated standings:- Alistair Tait – 92 points Colin Callander – 91 Iain Carter – 75 Rob Perkins – 72 Fergus Bisset – 68 Phil Casey – 64 Andy Farrell – 59 Dave Facey – 59 Martin Dempster – 55 Greg Allen – 56 Mike Aitken – 53 Phil Reid – 52 Neil McLeman – 52 Bernie McGuire – 48 Dick Turner – 45 Robin Barwick – 45 Euan McLean – 40 Dave Edwards – 39 Shane O’Donoghue – 34 Neil Squires – 32 Dan Murphy – 32 Peter Dixon – 25 Kevin Garside – 24 Jock Howard – 24 Nick Rodger – 24 Derek Lawrenson – 23 Patricia Davies – 18 Next tournament – MIchael Williams Hogget – Carton House, Ireland – Saturday, 21st May, 2016. The fourth round in the ETIQUS – 2016 AGW Golfer of the Year will be staged at Carton House on Saturday, 21st May, 2016 and during the week of the Irish Open. Those teeing-up will be competing for the Michael Williams Hogget. Please advise AGW Golf Captain, Peter Dixon if you would like to compete –email hidden; JavaScript is required