The annual match between Bearsden GC and Douglas Park took place on a sunny Saturday 4^th June at Bearsden. The two teams play an afternoon match in greensomes format for the Gowglen Shield and then after dinner, four men per club in dinner suits, with 1 club and 1 ball per team, play a ‘unique’ hole for the Forrest Putter.

For the Gowglen Shield, the teams were tied at 5.5 – 5.5 after the first 11 matches were completed, with wins from Matthew Anderson/Stephen Wightman, Alastair Thomson/Angus Watson, John Mulholland/Steven Cairns & Scott Manson/Colin Thom. These wins were followed with hard fought half matches from Graeme Anderson/Scott McMillan, Alan Gordon/Graeme Todd & Steven McEwan/Graeme McIntosh.

The result of the match firmly rested with the pairing off Eddie Ferguson/Thomas Burridge who were 1 up playing the last. In the event of a tie, the reserve match of Club Captains and partner, decides the outcome but this match, which kicked off the afternoon, had resulted in a half match. Therefore, if Douglas Park lost the last hole of the final match, the outcome would be decided by a playoff! I am not sure if Captain Thistle knew he would need to get the clubs back out the car.

Thankfully, Thomas left his 40 foot put within 3 feet allowing Eddie to hole out to half the hole and win the Shield.

After a well-earned dinner and many drinks, Douglas Park sent out the big guns in the Forrest Putter. Lead off by rookie Colin MacDonald he and the team of Scott Manson, Eddie Ferguson, Angus Watson and caddie Craig Turner were unable to bring home the putter for the club and Bearsden were afforded 5 putts on the final green to retain putter.