The North East just got the better of Perth & Kinross to win the Scottish Men’s Area title for the sixth time and their first championship since 2017.
FORMAT: 6-man team matchplay knockout
Five of the six singles matches went to the 18th but the champions won three of those knife-edge ties on a nerve-wracking day at Powfoot Golf Club.
In the penultimate match Portlethen’s Gary Esson held his nerve on the last to clinch the title. He was one up playing the last and sunk his four and a half footer for par to beat Auchterarder’s Kenneth Macaskill.
With Neil Mitchell (Bon Accord) one up playing the 18th, that game was conceded by Kinross’ Scott Michie to confirm the North East as 6-3 champions. It was also a particularly special moment for McDonald’s Adam Durton and Clark Brechin (Portlethen), who were part of the team that won the title five years ago.
Winning squad:
• Adam Durton (McDonald)
• David Morrison (Meldrum House)
• Clark Brechin (Portlethen)
• Adam Giles (Newmachar)
• Gary Esson (Portlethen)
• Neil Mitchell (Bon Accord)
The one match that was decided early saw Adam Giles of Newmachar blaze a trail. A clutch of birdies and an eagle saw him storm into a five-hole lead on the front nine and he eventually won it 6&5 against the unfortunate Steven Park (Blairgowrie).
Earlier in the day they reached the final by the same score. This time Borders were their victims but the victory was far more comfortable.
The eventual champions were 2-1 down after the foursomes but Esson (5&4) and Giles (4&3) led the way in the singles.
The North East qualified for the finals by winning a group which included Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Argyll & Bute.