STIRLING BEAT UHI IN FINAL OF STUDENTS' TEAM MATCH-PLAY

STIRLING UNIVERSITIES' TEAM MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING TEAM AT LOSSIE
 Left to right: Back: Roberts, Mendes, Carrick, Sharvin, Malagueira, Eggenberger.
Front: Holmes, Spraggs, Merckx, Howard

Stirling Spartans prove cupboard is far from bare…again

 

Scottish Student Sport Golf Championships 2013

REPORT FROM DR ROB MACPHERSON

On a gloriously sunny morning and afternoon on Moray Old links at Lossiemouth, the team from Stirling University again proved why they are a class apart when it comes to student golf in Scotland. Taking on local team, and first time finalists, the University of the Highlands and Islands, Stirling showed silky skills and Rprodigious putting talent to get the better of their opponents – largely drawn from UHI’s Golf Management degree based in Dornoch.

 

In the first match of the morning Black and Nair (UHI) nearly pulled off a shock start for “The Fighting Beavers” lipping out for a strong half with more experienced Roberts and Spraggs (Stirling); in the second game all Portuguese pairing of Malaguiera and Mendes (Stirling) proved too strong – and were never down - against Bahl and Ramsey (UHI); in the third match Mackinnon (sporting a natty pair of tartan trews) and local Moray College student Leith (UHI) overcame the more established pairing of Carrick and Merckx (Stirling) by two holes – sealing the win with a majestic birdie at the tough 18^th final hole. From then on, however, Stirling took control. Holmes and Sharvin (Stirling) and individual champion Eggenberger and his partner Howard both comfortably tucked away their opponents and began a run of games that, ultimately, would see Stirling to victory.

 

In the afternoon singles, Stirling secured the top five matches – with victories by Roberts (from 5 down at the turn to win, spectacularly, on the last), Spraggs, Malagueira, Carrick and Howard taking the team to 8.5 points and a third consecutive team victory. Impressive UHI victories for Leith and McNeill – against 2013 Individual Champion Mathias Eggenberger (Stirling) – meant the final match score of 11-4 fairly represented a great week for both teams on a testing course and in cool but calm conditions. Stirling Performance Coach, Dean Robertson said ”It was an excellent result for the boys and it sets them up for, what I am sure will be, another highly successful season. The boys committed to their processes and it paid great dividends this week”.