While the men’s event was won by a newcomer to the Links, the Strathtyrum Trophy was claimed for a record third time by 31-year-old Baberton golfer Karen Marshall, who was also the champion in 1997 and 2003. She beat Preston’s Chris Appleby, ten years her senior, 4 and 2 over the Eden Course.
Marshall got off to a great start with wins at the 3 rd and 4 th holes but Appleby fought back to win the next two holes and the match stayed all square after six. However, Links veteran Marshall got ahead again at the 7 th and was never to relinquish her control over the final, winning 10 and 11 to go three up. Appleby bravely won the 12 th, but Marshall clinched victory after taking the 15 th and 16 th.
Karen was always a favourite for the championship this year, and the Midlothian player qualified for the matchplay in second place with a 159 total. Top performer in the first two rounds of strokeplay was Amanda Shorrock of Pryors Hayes with a score of 157 over the Eden and New courses.
Karen’s route to the title included wins over Diana Payne ( Oakmere Park) 4 and 3; Stephanie Liddell ( Carlisle) 1 up; Louise Fraser (Comiston Ladies) 7 and 6; and local challenger Rebecca Watson (Elie and Earlsferry) 2 and 1.
In the handicap events, four-handicapper Thomas Robertson of East Kilbride won the Eden Tankard with a 4 and 2 defeat of Michael McGuigan of Clober, who plays off nine, while the Strathtyrum Salver went to Janis Slater (16) of Worksop who convincingly beat Pearl Smeaton (19) of Willesley Park 7 and 6.
In the Tankard final, McGuigan won the first hole but Robertson tied immediately and went on to win 3, 5, 6 and 8. Although he lost the long par four 13 th, Robertson regained his four shot lead on the 16 th green to close out the match.
The Salver was all over by the 12 th green. Slater stormed out of the blocks and won four of the first five holes. A consolation win at 6 was a brief respite for Smeaton as her opponent went on to claim 7, 9, 10 and 11.
Karen Marshall
Chris Appleby