GOLFERS from across the west of Scotland flocked to Helensburgh Golf Club recently as the annual golf day organised by Helensburgh Lions Club returned after a two-year absence.

A field of 156 players enjoyed perfect golfing weather, warm sunshine and little breeze as they raised funds for the good causes supported by the Lions Club.

The superb condition of the course was praised by many of the visitors, one saying that he felt the greens were better than Gleneagles where he had played a few days earlier.

With home advantage it was no surprise that Helensburgh players featured well in the prize list, with ‘No Chance’ - club captain David Lutwyche, chairman Malcolm Hyatt and member Alan Armstrong - scoring 54 stableford points to win the competition overall and also the Geoff Brewster Cup for the best score by a team of Helensburgh members.

Craig Stirling, Yuen Hawes and Dougie Stewart finished as runners-up with 53 points, while Colin Reid, John Friel and David Graham were third.

Alan Bernie, Mark Bernie and Evan Fraser were fourth, also winning the prize for the best score on the par-three holes, while Willie Robertson, Murdo McLeod and Connor Jennings took fifth and Roy Nesbitt, James Mitchell and Bob Berry sixth.

June Haggarty, Babs Robertson and Margaret Moir won the prize for the best ladies’ team.

Individual prizes on the par three holes were won by Colin Craig (3rd hole), Abby Stirling (9th), Lee McGill (11th) and Stuart Kiel (16th), while Jim Hodge and Michael McKechnie won the prizes for the longest drives on the eighth and 18th holes respectively.

Helensburgh Lions Club president Don MacDonald thanked all the Helensburgh Golf Club members and staff for their help and the sponsors and players who supported the event.

A total of £3,440 was raised, the vast majority of which will support initiatives in the local community.