Denis Kirwan added his name to the Renton Laidlaw Quaich honour roll with a countback victory for the 2022 hosting of the trophy at Crail Gollfing Society and at the same time moved into a share of the lead in the 2022 ETQUIS – AGW Race to Hoylake Golfer of the Year.
Fifteen members and three guests teed-up on the eve of the 150th Open Championship (July 12th) on the Balcomie Links course at golf’s seventh oldest club.
Crail has very kindly in the past hosted the Scottish Golf Writers but this was a first occasion AGW members have taken to the course, located just a short drive to the east of St. Andrews.
Unfortunately, our defending champion Malcolm Campbell could not tee-up as attended an R & A speaking engagement he had been asked to attend while former winner Dave Edwards was caring for his wife, Yvonne and who we all wish well, and Gordon Bannerman extended his late apologies as he was struggling with a niggling injury.
We welcomed guests Jeremy Cross (Neil Squires guest) along with Matteo Dore and Stefano Cazetta (Guests of Silvia Audissio and Massimo DeLuca).
Of those who did tee-up we had six different nations represented and with Crail welcoming those with a gift pack that included a wee bottle of Balcomie Whisky produced by the close-by Kingsbarns Distillery, and along with a pack of shortbread biscuits, a bag tag and other items.
The Balcomie Links course was a mirror of the Old Course at St. Andrews, looking very brown, playing very hard, very bouncy and very fast.
In the end it was a three-way tie at the top between Denis Kirwan, Bob Harig and Neil McLeman each posting 36 Stableford points, and with Denis emerging over the traditional back-9 countback with 17 points, Bob 16 points and Neil 15.
So, congratulations to Denis who captured the 2015 Michael Williams Hogget at Kirkeel, and the first AGW event staged outside of the mainland UK, while he also won the 2019 R & A Salver at Royal Portrush. Indeed, Denis won in ‘wiping’ three holes in succession mid his back nine while Neil was left lamenting in not scoring at the last after failing to find his tee shot.
Bob Harig also going so close in creating a slice of AGW golfing history to be the first American to win an AGW golfing trophy while countryman Scott Michaux missed the countback by a point, and could look back in staring at a pin-high eagle putt for a ‘2’ but taking birdie on the 7th but wiping the 16th, and the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro put himself also well in the mix with 34 points.
Loveable ‘bandit’ Dick Turner was off to flyer with a strong run of three-point scoring pars to be out in 20 points before his back began giving him trouble, and sadly forced to retire while your Secretary, and a near 25-year member at Crail, saved his worst golf for the outing but did birdie the last for a 4-pointer, and as you so often do in golf.
We had two nearest the pins with the prize of a charming bottle of French red. Mark Cannizzaro won the prize of the 6th hole while Neil McLeman won at the 14th hole but only after a fellow playing the ajoining first hole walked onto the 14th and lifted Neil’s tee shot, thinking the ball was his.
In making their way down to the 14th, Neil’s playing partners agreed where his ball had come to rest while Neil chased after the culprit who was bizarrely playing the same Bridgestone ball and number as Neil. A great excuse for a glass of French red if you ever heard one.
A special thank you to Crail for hosting the AGW and to all those members who showed their thanks to the club via the clubs Twitter handle.
2022 – RENTON LAIDLAW QUAIH RESULTS
Balcomie Links, Crail Golfing Society – 12th July
Denis Kirwan (14 handicap) – 36 points (Won on back-9 countback – 17 points (New AGW handicap 12)
Bob Harig (16) – 36 points (Back-9 countback – 16 points)
Neil McLeman (19) – 36 points (Back-9 countback – 15 points)
Scott Michaux (16) & Brian McLauglin (12) – 34 points
Mark Cannizzaro (10) – 33 points
James Nursey (3) – 32 points
Derek Lawrenson (9) – 31 points
Bernie McGuire (18) – 30 points
Philip Quinn (14) – 29 points
Neil Squires (24) – 25 points
Dave Facey (14) – 22 points
Dick Turner – Retired after 12 holes
Silvia Audisio – Retired after 13 holes
Massimo DeLuca – No score
GUESTS
Ray Scott (16) – 40 points
Jeremy Cross (14) – 35 points
Matteo Dore – No score
Stefano Cazzetta – No score
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