HELENSBURGH Golf Club held its first medal finals event of the 2024 season - with a trio of players claiming the top prizes.

With medals held throughout the golf season, the monthly winners from each handicap division lined up in the finals to compete for the respective trophies.

The Wednesday Ormond Medal final, sponsored by BTO solicitors, took place in testing conditions with little run from the fairways and preferred lies in operation.

Nevertheless, John Friel produced a superb round - his net 65 (gross 84) saw him claim victory by two shots.

A solid outward nine of 43 preceded an even more impressive 41 on the back nine, an excellent birdie two at the 16th helping him on his way.

Vice captain Russell Makeham presented John with the trophy, his own round of net 67 (gross 74) saw him take second place. Paul Duerden finished in third with a net 69 (gross 85).

Meanwhile, on the same day, the non finalists were competing to qualify for next season’s final.

Playing off 30, Connor Simmons secured his place with an astonishing net 58. Unsurprisingly, a substantial handicap reduction followed the next day.

The Breingan Medal and Breingan Brooch finals, sponsored by DCF Joiners and Building Services, were played in fine sunshine on Saturday.

It was Stuart Buchanan that emerged victorious in the medal final.

His net 71 (gross 81) was matched by Ewan Cameron (gross 85). With both players having excellent outward nines of 38, Stuart took the honours by virtue of a better inward half.

A hot putter and a meagre 26 putts helped his cause, though Ewan will be cursing his double bogey on the 18th. Alastair Cairns finished in third place with a net 75.

In the ladies Breingan Brooch it was Shirley Monaghan that took the glory.

Her net score of 71 saw her finish a shot ahead of Anne Riding (net 72) with Rona Marshall taking third place (net 74).

In a fine demonstration of consistent scoring Shirley covered the front nine in 42, including a birdie three at the fifth, before coming back in 44 for a gross score of 86.

Amongst the non finalists on Saturday, Graeme Biggar had the best round. His net 63 (gross 82) saw him win division three.

Wylie Robertson (net 69) and Brooks Tadlock (net 68) won the first and second handicap divisions respectively.

This weekend sees the Anderson Medal final with the MacDonald medal final taking place the following Saturday.