Golf: Dalmahoy again beat Royal Burgess to Winter crown

DALMAHOY have retained the West Edinburgh Winter League golf title after beating Royal Burgess in the final for the second year running.

Twelve months after beating the same opponents in a play-off, the Marriott men won 3-1 on this occasion at Ratho Park.

Dougie Hunter and Sandy Phillips led the way, the former bagging a crucial birdie at the 16th as they finished one up against Stephen Buckley and Grant Hill.

Behind them, Brian Tait, last year's Lothians Champion of Champions, and John Yuille beat Robert Carson and Steve Smith by 3 and 2 to level matters for the Burgess. But the two bottom games both went Dalmahoy's way as they hung on to the crown and boosted confidence ahead of the new Summer League campaign.

Chris Brown and Iain Campbell covered the front nine in a better ball of 31 and then held off a spirited fightback from their opponents to beat John Fraser and Doug Ross on the home green.

And, down at the bottom of the order, Kevin Messer and David Marshall won a ding-dong battle with Ian Taylor and Fraser McCluskey by 2 and 1.

"Both sides fielded close to their strongest teams and this was reflected in the play," said Burgess team manager Richard Hughes.

"Matches between these teams are always played in a great spirit with a fair bit of "banter" flying around, but it was Dalmahoy's day and we congratulate them on a fine win."

The Barnton side now have to pick themselves up now to represent Edinburgh in the Inter Cities Cup against Bishopbriggs on April 3 and 10.

"We will be doing everything we can to bring this trophy back to the Capital," added Hughes.