GRAEME PROUD and Gemma Canham were crowned gents’ and ladies’ champions at Helensburgh Golf Club’s annual finals day on Sunday – with the heat of competition matching the sweltering conditions on the course.

Topping the bill were the respective ladies, gents and junior championship finals though winners of the Ladies Bronze, Junior Handicap, Peel Trophy and 1963 Trophy were also determined in a series of matches that kept the sun kissed spectators well entertained. With dry, calm conditions and the course expertly presented by course manager Jonny Cleland and his team, everything was set up perfectly for the finalists to show off their skills.

In the gents’ final Graeme Proud was defending his title against course record holder Simon Barass. Both had successfully negotiated the challenging stroke play and match play qualifying phases to reach the 36-hole final, with Graeme defeating Gary Potter and Simon knocking out Scott Barclay to confirm the line-up for the final.

In what proved to be a back and forth match it was Graeme that held the lead after the first 18 holes; he finished the front nine a hole ahead but was able to extend his advantage courtesy of birdies at the 10th, 17th and 18th holes and went into lunch three holes up.

When he won the opening hole of the second round to go 4 up Graeme looked to be in firm control of proceedings, but two time former champion Simon had other ideas and battled back with some fine golf of his own to win four holes on the trot from the fourth to restore parity.

This sparked a renewed intensity in Graeme and he bit back by going on his own streak, winning the 9th, 10th and 11th holes, with a second birdie of the day at the tough 10th a particular highlight as a straight, long drive was followed by a pin seeking approach shot and, most importantly, a crucial pressure putt.

The players traded the next two holes before Simon won the 14th to reduce the deficit to two. Both players made solid pars at the 15th and then, with the match on the line, Simon produced a fantastic sand save at the par 3 16th to keep his hopes alive.

However Graeme wasn’t to be denied and following another fairway-splitting drive down the 17th hole, his pitch from 90 yards finished less than six feet from the hole.

Simon had his own birdie attempt but it narrowly slid past, and in keeping with the spirit the match was played in, he generously conceded Graeme’s putt meaning the final result was a 3 and 1 victory in Graeme’s favour.

Reflecting on a second successive championship win an ecstatic Graeme said: “The course played fantastically today. Simon is a tough competitor, a double champ and course record holder so it was always going to be a fight.

“Luckily for me putts started dropping at crucial moments. Well done to all competitors on the day.”

The healthy group of supporters following the ladies’ final could be forgiven if they had a sense of déjà vu as Gemma Canham and June Haggarty contested the final for the third consecutive year, a reflection on the high standards both players have set over the past few years.

Gemma was chasing her tenth victory and more notably a record seventh consecutive title, whilst past ladies captain June was looking to get her name on the champions’ board for the first time.

Gemma made a fast start to the tie, winning two of the first three holes to establish an early advantage; June fought valiantly to stay in contention, but Gemma was in no mood to give anything away and after winning the 8th and 9th holes she turned for home with a five-hole lead.

June was able to stem the tide somewhat and the remaining holes were hard fought but Gemma ultimately clinched a 5 and 4 victory on the 14th green in front of supporting friends and family.

A very proud Gemma said afterwards: “It’s an honour to win the championship at Helensburgh Golf Club, especially given some of the names on the trophy.

“The final against June was very enjoyable, played in great spirit with great golf on display. The course itself was in great condition considering the deluge on Saturday.

“On a personal level the day was made by my little boy Cameron deciding he wanted to be presented with the trophy and going up to shake captains Linda Moffat’s hand before posing for photos.”

The junior championship final was contested by Adam Smith and Nicholas Craig, with both players playing in their first final. As expected the front nine was a tight affair with both fighting hard to control the game, though from the ninth hole onwards Adam began to dominate and the single figure handicapper went on to win by a 5&4 margin.

Junior conveyor Mark Tyson commented after the match: “Both players showed courtesy and consideration to each other throughout the match. It was also great to see the following both players had as the junior section will continue to thrive with the support from family and friends within the junior network.”

Josh McCarthy successfully defended the Peel Trophy in a keenly fought contest with Colin Downie. It was Colin that made the early running in this one, establishing a three hole advantage after five holes, with a 25-foot birdie putt at the fourth helping him on his way.

Josh dug his heels in and was able to reduce the deficit to one by the turn before the match flipped on its head when Josh won the 11th and 12th holes. Showing great resilience, Colin bounced back to win the 13th, but after a couple of tied holes, Josh nudged back in front at the 16th. Sensing the opportunity to close out the match Josh produced a terrific drive and approach to win the 17th and clinch a 2 and 1 victory.

The 1963 Trophy and Junior Handicap Championship were the hardest fought contests on the day. Rob Prideaux edged out Tim Hughes in the 1963,  with their match going all the way to the 18th hole before Rob finished 1 up.

Similarly, Saul McGinley and Peter Mitchell went all the way to the final green; in a match where neither player ever held more than a one hole lead, Peter took advantage of the shot he had on the last to hold his nerve in front of the clubhouse crowd and win by a single hole.

Meanwhile the Ladies’ Bronze trophy was won by Dorothy Mickel; after establishing an early lead Dorothy always held the upper hand in her final with Carol Bews, emerging victorious by a 5 and3 margin.

Before presenting the winners with their trophies club captain Linda Moffat took time to congratulate all the finalists on the quality of golf played on the day before making a point of thanking all involved in organising a fantastic day of golf.

The leading qualifiers in the gents’ championship classes were James McKechnie for the Hood Trophy, Stuart Buchanan for the Peel Trophy, and Iain Matheson for the 1963 Trophy.