2014 GIBSON CUP FINALLY COMPLETED IN 2015!

Congratulations to Fiona Smith and Aileen Kennedy (Harburn GC),
Winners of the 2014 Gibson Cup.

Bad weather at the beginning of October last year meant that the 2014 Gibson Cup Finals Day had to be to rescheduled to this year and took place on Sunday 19th April.
Fortunately, the weather was better on Sunday than last October although the temperature in the morning felt close to freezing, as a bitter East wind blew over the Braids Golf Course bringing some squally showers mid morning! All competitors who had qualified for the two flights of foursomes matchplay (off handicap) were available to play in the semi-finals and a summary of Sunday’s play follows (as provided by Anne Brownie, Chairperson of the Gibson Cup Committee):

Gibson Cup (top flight of matchplay)
Leading qualifiers and top seeds Adrienne Turner and Laura Reekie (both Baberton) were receiving 4 strokes which they made good use of in a close match with Mhairi Hall and Margaret Logan (both Bathgate) prevailing by a 2 and 1 margin in the first semi-final. The other semi-final was an all Harburn affair, played off level handicaps with Fiona Smith and Aileen Kennedy edging out Linda Boyle and Dorothy Wilson also by 2 and 1.

In the afternoon Final of the 2014 Gibson Cup, Fiona and Aileen built an early lead which they did not look like relinquishing. Although Adrienne and Laura fought hard and reduced the deficit (making good use of their one stroke received), Fiona and Aileen didn’t give them much opportunity to draw level. The Final finished at the 15th hole resulting in a 5 and 3 win for Fiona and Aileen, proving that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again. Fiona and Aileen had played in several semi-finals and a few Finals over recent years without lifting the Gibson Cup whilst several of their fellow club members from Harburn had won the Cup . Now Fiona Smith and Aileen Kennedy’s names go on the Gibson Cup as the 2014 winners.

Flight 2 Matchplay 
A second of flight of matchplay is held alongside the Gibson Cup. In the morning semi-finals Janet Begrie and Catherine Stewart (both Mortonhall) got off to a fast start and recorded a convincing 6 and 5 win over Karina Matson (Carrickvale) and Gillian Lithgow (Torwoodlee) whose two strokes received were not enough to halt Janet and Catherine’s progress .
 In contrast the other semi-final between Margaret Fergusson and LynnWilson (both Murrayfield) and Mary Lou Watkins and Hazel Saunders (both Gullane) was a much closer affair with Mary Lou and Hazel winning at the 18th.

In the Flight 2 Final Janet Begrie and Catherine Stewart again started the stronger and were 4 up after 13 holes. Mary Lou and Hazel, who were giving 5 strokes, then played the 14th, 15th and 16th in 3 under par - making things very interesting when Hazel pitched in for a two at the 16th to get back to just 1 down. The 17th was halved in par 3s before Catherine and Janet closed out the match on the 18th hole to become the 2014 Winners of the Flight 2 “Claret Jug”.

Catherine Stewart and Janet Begbie (Mortonhall)
Winners of the Claret Jug

All in all, a very high standard of golf was played for so early in the golf season and in such bitterly cold conditions. The Braids course was in good condition for the time of year and the views when the sun did come out on occasion were stunning, with the gorse in full bloom.

The 2015 Gibson Cup, hosted by Edinburgh Leisure and sponsored by golfing-lady.com will be held over the weekend of 3rd and 4th October.

Thanks to Gibson Cup organiser, Anne Brownie, for this report