Crichton’s ace helps Fife regain Area Team title

TWO years after winning the event for the first time, Fife regained the GolfKings Scottish Area Team Championship with victory over record holders Lothians in a weather-affected event at Crail.

Aberdour’s Scott Crichton held Tantallon teenager Calum Hill with the help of a hole-in-one at the 13th as Fife won the title showdown 3.5-1.5 after play had been delayed until around lunchtime due to fog.

“Fantastic and just as sweet second time around,” said Fife team manager Bill Dickson of his side’s success. “To win on home soil at Crail and to beat the Lothians makes it even more special.

“It was a difficult day because we didn’t know if we were going to play and then weren’t sure if we were going to finish. But the boys stayed focused and played outstanding in the afternoon. Two games were tight, but we came through well in them both.”

Crichton’s first-ever hole-in-one, which was struck with an 8-iron, proved timely as he delivered a valuable half point against Hill, one of the rising stars on the Scottish amateur scene.

“I was trying to catch the slope down to the hole,” he said. “I couldn’t see the cup but knew it was close and the guy I’d played in the morning hit the same shot. It was wedged between the pin and the cup.

“I’ve never had a hole-in-one despite playing all my life at Aberdour, where there’s six par-3s. My dad’s been on at me for years for not having one, so this’ll be one for him.”

In another key moment, James White chipped stone dead from rough over the wall at the 17th for his 3 after getting a drop from the path. Opponent Anthony Blaney couldn’t get down in two from the front of the green, allowing White to clinch a point after being four up at one point.

Scott Stewart-Cation also won in the singles matches for Fife after Ally Hain and Jordan McColl had given them the best possible start by coming out on top against the experienced pairing of Allyn Dick and Graham Robertson in the sole foursomes tie.

It meant a notable win from Neil Henderson against Ewan Scott proved in vain for Lothians. Bidding to add to their 13 victories in the event but first under its new format, they had beaten Stirlingshire 4-1 in their semi-final while Fife won 3-2 against Glasgow.