Saturday 28 May
Over a rain lashed Dunblane New Golf Club, the 106th West Perthshire Shield was played today. The longest running competition in the County, contested annually between Crieff, Comrie, Auchterarder and Dunblane. This scratch foursomes matchplay event, utilising a 'holes up' format, saw the hosts, Dunblane facing Auchterarder who were looking for their sixth successive victory in the competition. Whilst Crieff, last years beaten finalists, took on local rivals, Comrie.
In the first match the experienced partnership of D D Smith and Graham Lowson ran out victor's by a margin of five holes thanks to a birdie at the par five last, which proved decisive, as a four hole deficit in game two from Robert Aitken and Chris Nicol, meant that Auchterarder reached the final my a one hole margin. Meanwhile Crieff comfortably disposed of Comrie by six holes.
In the afternoon final, the rain continued relentlessly and the competitors set out equipped with squeegees. In the top match, Smith and Lowson won the first two holes, a lead that was never relinquished, finally running out winners by three holes, whilst a return to form saw Nicol and Aitken build a two hole advantage which was to remain until the end. So, Auchterarder retain the trophy for a sixth successive year and the prospect of making it lucky seven when the competition returns to Auchterarder next year.
