Chris Brown keeps it in family with Lothians Champion of Champions trophy

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 23/08/2012 12:24

CHRIS BROWN made a 
notable addition to his family’s rich collection of titles by winning the 50th Lothians Champion of Champions’ final at Muirfield.

On a perfect evening for golf, Brown, who was representing Dalmahoy club Third in the event, claimed the crown with a 3 and 2 victory over Harburn’s Jim Gilmour.

“The course was in first-class condition, although the rough was as severe as ever known on this wonderful links, and it certainly led to a premium on accuracy off the tee and off the fairways,” said match referee Tom Gowan.

Brown edged in front at the second after a super approach shot but this was offset by a birdie from Gilmour at the next.

Gilmour then found a tough lie in a bunker off his second shot at the fifth and had to play out sideways, allowing Brown ahead.

The next two holes were exchanged then Gilmour pulled level again at the eighth after his opponent found the rough off his tee shot. Both found bunkers off their second shots at the ninth, which Brown won with a par to turn one ahead. The next three holes were halved, but par golf from Brown over the next four holes enabled him to conclude the match on the 16th.

Brown’s father Harvey, who was his caddie, and mother Ruth have both chalked up numerous successes on the Capital golf scene over the years.

Gilmour’s defeat meant that Harburn suffered a double dose of disappointment this year after clubmate Craig Deerness lost to Pumpherston’s Paul Drake in the final of the Lothians Championship.

In between those two events, though, the West Lothian club had reason to celebrate after recording a first title triumph in the Lothians Team Tournament.

The Handicap Championship final resulted in a 3 and 1 win for Dunbar’s Andrew Allan over Martin Hunter of Buckstone Golf Society.