Golf: Fairnie savours home comforts in County championship

EMMA FAIRNIE, an Edinburgh University student, won the East Lothian Women's County Championship over her home course at Dunbar.

The 22-year-old, who had lost in the final in both 2006 and 2007, made it third time lucky as she beat Gullane's Moira Thomson by 5 and 4 in the 18-hole title showdown.

Three up at the turn after winning the sixth, seventh and eighth, Fairnie was not to be denied on this occasion and effectively sealed her success after winning the 12th and 13th with par-4s. The win completed a notable double for the new champion as she also won the Borders equivalent when her home club was Peebles.

In the morning semi-finals, Fairnie beat North Berwick's Clara Young by 4 and 2, while Thomson, a two-time winner, sealed her fifth final appearance with a two-hole success over the Glen's Keren Ward.

In the final of the Handicap Quaich, Liz McLelland of Gullane Ladies beat Castle Park's Anne Sewell by 6 and 5.