Countback clinches Buchanan Castle prize

The Buchanan Castle Senior Professional better-ball competition produced the tightest of finishes with four pairs tying on the best score of four-under-par 66.

David J Russell (Archerfield Links) and Jim Farmer (pictured), the Royal & Ancient Golf Club professional, came out the winners of the £1,000 first prize after a scorecard play-off.

They had the best inward half of 32, edging out the Deeside partnership of Peter Smith and Frank Coutts, John Chillas and Martin Gray (unattached), and Garry Harvey (Kinross) and Gerry Reilly (Lochwinnoch).

The popular tournament for the over-50s, run by the PGA of Scotland, is the brainchild of the Buchanan Castle pro Keith Baxter who partnered Steve Kelly (Tulliallan) to a share of eighth place with a 69.