Golf: Duddy dressed to the nines

DUDDINGSTON Golf Club is following in the footsteps of Liberton by introducing nine-hole medal competitions for the first time this season.

Four such events have been included on the Capital club's fixture list in a bid to make it easier for older members to hold on to a handicap.

It is also anticipated they will prove attractive to other members who may only have time to play a shorter round in the evenings.

"Liberton started it a couple of years ago and the Scottish Golf Union are suggesting it is a good way for members, particularly the older ones, to maintain a handicap for longer," said Duddingston club secretary Duncan Ireland. "The alternative is seeing their handicap lapse and we are hoping these events, which will be held around every six weeks when the season starts, will prove popular with those members.

"Also, it might be the case that someone only has time for nine holes later in the day and this should suit them, too.

"The one thing we don't want, though, is for those members who play in most of our 18-hole competitions to enter these nine-hole events as well as that would defeat the purpose of them in a way."