Unlike his success at Crail last year when he finished three Stableford points clear of the field, McLaughlin was pushed all the way by Nick Rodger and his victory was determined by countback.
Both finished with 31 points and, with their scores over the front and back nines identical, McLaughlin prevailed thanks to a superior total on the final six holes.
McLaughlin wasn’t the sole competitor to enjoy a repeat success, however.
David Connor, the St Andrews Links head of communications who won the nearest the pin competition at Crail, followed suit on the 12th at Craigtoun. His reward for reprising the feat was to supplement his collection of malt whisky bottles – as per last year, a similar prize was provided by Ally Rennie, one of three guest players.
Thanks are due to him for his generosity, even more so to David Connor and the St Andrews Links. In addition to granting us courtesy on the course, St Andrews Links picked up the tab for the post-golf meal – Renton’s favourite of Fish ‘n Chips and Ice Cream.
Thanks are also due to the club’s food and beverage team, the endlessly helpful staff in the pro shop and the club’s greenkeepers who presented a course in fine condition.
Formerly known as the Duke’s Course, the Craigtoun was added to the St Andrews Links’ portfolio of courses in January and is leased from Kohler, owners of the Old Course Hotel.
Perched on a hillside a couple of miles from its seven siblings, the heathland course is challenging and sporting and, if the one’s golf game is not up to scratch, the superb views of St Andrews and beyond ensure a good walk remains unspoiled.
Scores:
31 Brian McLaughlin*, Nick Rodger; 30 Scott McCullum, Martin Dempster, Dave Edwards; 29 Iain Macfarlane, Adrian Milledge; 28 Martin Vousden; 25 David Facey.
Guests: 34 Ally Rennie; 27 David Connor (St Andrews Links); 23 Fraser Johnston (St Andrews Links).
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