Glenn Campbell seals victory over Fife in final thriller

FIFE’S historic first hold of the Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship has lasted just 12 months after Perth & Kinross made home advantage count to claim the title for the first time in a decade at Blairgowrie yesterday.

Host club man Glenn Campbell, the 2005 Scottish Amateur champion, delivered the winning point in a thrilling final, beating James White, last year’s Scottish Order of Merit winner, at the first extra hole in the decisive singles tie.

That, coupled with wins by two other Blairgowrie players, teenager Bradley Neil and Stuart Graham, over Scotland squad members Brian Soutar and Scott Crichton respectively, gave Perth & Kinross a 3.5-1.5 victory and their third title triumph overall in the event.

“It means a lot to win here against a very strong Fife side, but I always had a feeling about this weekend,” said 39-year-old Campbell after trading birdies in his match with White, who did nothing wrong until he three-putted the 19th.

“When the team was picked we saw we had five Blairgowrie club champions on the team – myself, Brad, George (Brass) and Stuart (Graham) and Mark Cameron is also a member here as well as Alyth.

“So there was a bit of local knowledge out there this weekend which definitely helped us.”

Graham bagged nine birdies in 13 holes as he beat Crichton 6 and 5 while Neil, a quarter-finalist in this year’s Scottish Boys Championship and runner-up in the Scottish Youths’ Championship, struck a brace of 2s at the 15th and 17th in beating Soutar.

“Stuart’s performance this afternoon was absolutely magnificent and to have that point on the board so early was a key thing for us in such a close game against a quality side like Fife,” said winning team captain Stuart McKendrick.

“Then we just relied on Brad, who plays with no fear, and Glenn, who was exceptional once again for us. We can rely on him to hit fairways and greens and put pressure on the opposition.

“To be honest, I would have been delighted just with qualifying for the semi-finals, but leading the qualifying and winning the trophy by beating an exceptional team like Fife just surpasses any expectations I had.”

Fife had overpowered Renfrewshire in their semi-final, while Perth & Kinross beat surprise qualifiers Stirlingshire. Perth & Kinross also pipped Fife by a shot in the stroke-play qualifying, which saw Campbell and White share the individual honours on 138.

FINAL SCORES

Perth & Kinross 3½, Fife 1½

Michie and Brass lost to Martin and Hain at 20th; Campbell bt White at 19th; Neil bt Soutar 2 and 1; Graham bt Crichton 6 and 5; Cameron halved with Stewart-Cation.

Third-place play-off: Stirlingshire 3, Renfrewshire 2

FINAL PLACINGS

1 Perth & Kinross, 2 Fife, 3 Stirlingshire, 4 Renfrewshire.