Golfer Matthew Clark is top man at the Newlands Trophy

Jul 26 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

RENFREWSHIRE County golfer Matthew Clark continued his good form to claim success in the latest Men’s Order of Merit event – the 72-hole Newlands Trophy at Lanark Golf Club.

Clark – who was runner-up in last month’s Tennant Cup – slipped past overnight pace-setters Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) and Michael Daily (Erskine) to clinch the trophy.

Despite windy conditions for the final 36 holes, Clark posted final two rounds of 67 and 72 to push himself clear at the top of the leaderboard on four-under.

Clark, who represents Kilmacolm Golf Club, is currently tied sixth on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit table – but is sure of a rise following another impressive showing.

Clark triumphed by three shots from 2007 Scottish Youths champion Scott Borrowman (Dollar), who maintained his recent good form with closing rounds of 71 and 70.

Of the SGU National Men’s Squad players, Scott Crichton (Aberdour) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) were three strokes further back in a tie for third place along with Henderson.

Baberton’s Paul Ferrier, a semi-finalist in the Amateur Championship last month, was sixth on his own while current Order of Merit leader, Ross Bell of Downfield, shared 17th spot.

In other golf news, delighted Renfrewshire man Robert Irwin is thanking the golfing gods after being drawn from a list of more than 2,500 entrants to be a lucky winner of the Scottish Golf Union’s ‘Win a Year’s Membership at your Golf Club’ competition.

The hugely-popular contest, run in conjunction with the SGU’s annual national marketing campaign to advocate the benefits of being a golf club member, saw Robert win £500 towards the cost of an annual membership.

Robert, a full member at Paisley Golf Club for 13 years, won the members’ category of the competition.

The money has immediately gone towards Robert’s Paisley membership this year and in 2013.

“To win golf membership for a year is just fantastic, and thanks hugely to the Scottish Golf Union,” said Robert, a 12-handicapper and ex-committee member at Paisley GC.

“Our secretary/manager, John Devenny, has been joking that I’ve finally won something!”

Robert, 56, from Renfrew, who is now retired from the fire service, added: “I love being a member of the golf club.

“If I’m away for more than a week, people wonder what is wrong with me!

“I have history and connections with the club.

“My uncle, Bill Irwin, was a past captain and my cousin, Stephen Irwin, represents the District. I’m looking forward to enjoying more golf at Paisley.”

You can find your local club by visiting the Scottish Golf Union website at www.scottish golf.org and click on the SGU Golf Central link.