INNELLAN Golf Club members have enjoyed an outstanding couple of weeks of golf, with excellent weather providing the perfect backdrop to a busy schedule of competitions and the climax of the club championships.
Competition remains fierce in the Wednesday Series. In week 11, Duncan Lauder produced a magnificent 22 points to take victory ahead of Iain McKie on 17, with club captain Keith Torrance third on 15.
Week 12 was just as competitive, with Stewart Campbell claiming first place on 19 points. Alasdair Simpson finished second on 18, while Eric Large was third with 17.
The Saturday Series also continued with week 12 seeing Shonna Derrett produce an outstanding winning score of 39 points. Gary Fulton was second on 33, while Iain McKie took third place with 32.
In the ladies’ nine-hole Stableford competition, Rhona McCourt claimed victory with 13 points, ahead of Margaret Lauder on 11 and Sandie Gemmell on 10. The following week’s event was won by Margaret Gallagher with an impressive 16 points, with Rhona McCourt again featuring in the prizes in second on 15 and Janis Foster third with nine.
The November Medal proved another closely contested competition. Colin Duncan secured victory with an excellent nett 63, edging out David Cooper on 64, while Graham McGillivray finished third with 66.
However, the highlight of the fortnight was the conclusion of the ladies’ and gents’ club championships.
In the ladies’ championship, Shonna Derrett produced a superb two-round total of 144 to be crowned 2026 Ladies’ Club Champion. Karen Mitchell claimed the net title to round off an excellent championship.
The gents’ championship provided a thrilling finish with several players still in contention heading into the second and final round. The leading six players teed off together after the rest of the field, setting up a dramatic finale.
Russell Lees held the clubhouse lead after the first three members of the leading group had completed their rounds, leaving Andy Rogers, Robert Baxter and the remaining challenger battling it out over the closing holes.
The decisive moment came at the 18th, where Rogers struck a magnificent approach from around 120 yards. His shot landed on the front edge of the green before rolling to within two feet of the hole, leaving him with a birdie opportunity. Baxter, meanwhile, followed a sensational drive with an approach that just ran through the back of the green before producing an excellent up-and-down to save par.
When the final scores were added up, Rogers’ brilliant approach and birdie on the last proved decisive. His two-round total of 146 earned him the 2026 Club Championship by a single stroke from defending champion Robert Baxter on 147, with Russell Lees finishing third on 150.
There was more late drama in the Mark Wells Trophy for the best nett score. Stewart Campbell looked to have left himself a difficult finish after hitting his approach just beyond the 18th green, but he produced a sensational chip-in birdie to secure victory with a two-round total of 129, one shot clear of Russell Lees on 130.
An enthusiastic gallery gathered around the closing hole to witness the exciting finish, providing a fitting end to a memorable championship.
The club wished to congratulate Andy Rogers on becoming 2026 Club Champion and to Stewart Campbell on winning both the best nett prize and the Mark Wells Trophy.
The club also paid tribute to Billy and his greenkeeping team for presenting the course in superb condition throughout the championships. Thanks were also extended to Ian Kennedy and his helpers, Douglas Wright and past captain Eric Large, for keeping the scoring and clubhouse operations running smoothly.
Looking ahead, members are reminded that one of the club’s biggest events of the year, the Royal Hotel Trophy, takes place on Sunday, August 2. Morning and afternoon tee times are available by contacting [email protected].
