Golf: Winter League facing major shake-up

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 08:51

THE East Lothian Winter Golf League is set for a radical shake-up next season after Musselburgh's application to join was given the green light.

It means the league will comprise of 17 clubs and from next year the top flight will feature an elite division of just six teams, with the other 11 fighting it out in Division 2.

In addition, a new cup competition will be introduced, running from January to March, and will be contested by teams from both divisions.

"The changes are exciting, and seem to have been generally well received," said league secretary Torquil McInroy. "From next year, teams in the top division will play each other home and away, and we expect the standard of competition to be pretty high.

"Meanwhile, the second flight will see a return to the old structure where each team plays each other team once only, reviving something of the league's original ethos."

Delighted with his own team's fast start in this year's campaign, league chairman Mike Currie, of the Glen, is looking forward to challenging for the single guaranteed promotion spot this term.

"All-in-all, there should be something for everyone in the new structure, and the introduction of a cup competition adds another dimension," he said.

The changes mean three teams from eight will be relegated from Division 1 this year, with just one guaranteed promotion spot available.

In addition, the Division 2 runners-up will play off against the fourth-bottom team in Division 1 for the remaining spot in next year's top flight. Musselburgh will join the restructured Division 2.

Meanwhile, only three matches survived Sunday's rain, with all three resulting in home wins, and significant moves for the victors.