HOME advantage counted for the winning trio in the Helensburgh Lions Club’s annual golf day at Helensburgh Golf Club.

A full field of 156 golfers, from many clubs in the west of Scotland, converged on Helensburgh Golf Club to be greeted by fine weather and a course in tiptop condition/ Helensburgh’s own ‘Waddell Winkers’ – Murray Waddell, Mick Massey and David Hogg – won first prize with an amazing 52 points, with the ‘Stirling’ team of Abby Stirling, Stewart Fraser and Dougie Stewart second, also on 52 points.

Four teams secured 51 points, and after a countback it was ‘Reid’s Rovers’, Colin Reid, David Graham and John Friel, who took third place.

The ‘DCF’ team of John Gallagher, Billy Greene and Peter Mundie were placed fourth, with David Tolhurst, John Graham and Bruce Mill - the ‘Eagle Hunters’ - in fifth and ‘Three Balls, One Couple’ - Alan Bernie, Graham Proud and Mark Bernie - finishing sixth.

Seventh place went to ‘The Trusty Trio’ of Jack Sangster, Craig Petro and Caleb Phipps on 48 points.

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The ladies’ prize was won by ‘We Can Dream’, Esme McRae, Ann Barty and Marion Wharry.

The dry conditions produced some monster long drives, with Alan Bernie’s effort the longest on the eighth hole and Andy McPherson’s the best on the 18th.

A great tee shot to within 50 centimetres of the flag secured Shirley Monaghan the nearest-the-pin prize at the third hole, with Jack Sangster securing the same prize at the ninth, Paul Devlin at the 11th and Mark Bernie at the 16th.

Graham Henderson of the Lions Club thanked the Golf Club for use of the course and the supporters who contributed prizes and sponsored holes, club professional Fraser Hall for his considerable help, and Johnny Cleland and his team for preparing the course; he also thanked Justin Thomas and the bar team.

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A special mention was given to a group of Helensburgh Golf Club lady members who operated the check-in desk and calculated handicaps, and to others who looked after the hospitality tent on the 12th hole.

Don MacDonald, the Lions Club president, confirmed afterwards that the event had raised more than £3,640 for the club’s funds.