Golf: Families are to the fore in local club championships

THE championships at three clubs – Craigmillar Park, Prestonfield and West Linton – proved family affairs this year.

At Prestonfield, one of the semi-finals involved Scott Johnston and his 16-year-old son, Duncan. Scott came out on top in that one before going on to beat Ivor Highley 7 and 6 in the final.

Finals day at Craigmillar Park, meanwhile, was a big occasion for the Christies as dad Innes was losing 5 and 4 in the men's final, his two sons, Ross and Fraser, were facing each other in a junior title showdown, the former winning 8 and 7. Jane Flucker beat Sal Shepherd 2 and 1 in the 18-hole ladies' final there.

At West Linton, former Scottish amateur champion Simon Mackenzie went out in the last eight in the men's championship, which was won by Graham Turner. But he had the satisfaction of seeing his two sons, Murray and Callum, win the under-15 and blue tee events respectively.

Murray beat Rhuri Thain, whose older brother Fraser won the junior title for the third year in a row.