PING

East Lothian, Scotland, April 2019: Scott Allison from Liberton Golf Club in Edinburgh took full advantage of playing on Scottish home soil to secure the silverware at this year’s Links Golf Cup East Lothian, played over four of East Lothian’s finest championship links courses.

Runner-up in the event last year, Allison recorded a total of 142 points over four rounds to lead the field of 108 players and became the first Scottish winner of the event since 2013 when the inaugural competition was staged.

Kate Docherty from Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland held an impressive seven-shot lead after the first two rounds after opening scores of 39 and 41, but then fell away to finish on 135 points, securing a credible 9th position and the top spot amongst the ladies.

Played this year over the championship links at Gullane No 1, last year’s Scottish Open venue, Gullane No 2, Kilspindie and North Berwick from March 25 to 29, this hugely-popular amateur tournament with its 72-hole Individual Stableford format regularly attracts golfers of all different handicaps from all over the UK in the main.

However it was a team comprised of the only four Germans  in the field – Rudiger Hillert, Alex Schwendinger, Thomas Hoess and Michael Gebhard – who triumphed in the ‘Friends of the Links’ Team Competition sponsored by Mashie with the best three  scores each day making up the final team tally.

To his enduring credit, Rudiger Hillert of Rheintal Golf Club played the entire week with hickory clubs in full vintage golfing attire and finished a notable 13th overall with 133 points which included a fantastic score of 38 at North Berwick.