BATHGATE’S BELL CAPTURES THE CARNEGIE SHIELD
Carnegie Shield winner Graham Bell is presented with the trophy by Lady Captain Rosemary Muschamp. – Photo: Matthew Harris
GRAHAM Bell of Bathgate Golf Club claimed the 111th Carnegie Shield at Royal Dornoch.
The West Lothian player, who lost the 2015 final to Bryan Fotheringham of Inverness, edged out defending champion Chris “Chippie” Mailley 2&1 in a hard-fought final over the sun-kissed Championship Course.
The Bathgate vice-captain’s win ended the Brora and Royal Dornoch member’s hopes of an eighth Shield victory since 2009.
A foster carer with Edinburgh Council, and a part-time delivery driver with Tesco, Graham has been heading north for the Carnegie Shield week for more than a decade.
“I have been lucky enough to play some top courses, including Valderrama, but Royal Dornoch is my all-time favourite – even before this win!” he said.
“I didn’t play particularly well in the 2015 final and lost 3&2 so it’s nice to make up for that disappointment.
“This year, I went to the 20th hole in the first round. That was a very tight game. But the semi-final and final this year was probably the best golf I have ever played round the Championship Course.
“I had something like 14 birdies in 29 holes, including seven against Chippie. That was needed to get the job done.
“Chippie is a great guy and everyone knows of his reputation in the Shield. I had played with him before and knew how good he was.
“I jokingly said it was nice of him to share it about a bit and he took it well. We were both playing decent golf.
“I will be amazed if he doesn’t go on to equal the all-time Shield record of 10 wins.
“I have won a few Opens and my club championship four times in different decades. But this has tobe right up there.”
A plus 1 handicap, 50-year-old family man Graham has been a member at Bathgate – famous for producing three Ryder Cup players, Eric Brown and Bernard and Stephen Gallacher – since 1999.
He admits Royal Dornoch presents a different challenge from what he is accustomed to.
“I went up a day or two early to get in some practice and get used to the bunkers, which are very different to the firm sand at Bathgate.
“My first target was just to make the 32 qualifiers.
“The Par 3s aren’t the longest but miss the greens and you’re in trouble. You do get defensive at times in any round because you don’t want to be in the wrong position.
“Also, the greens are very firm so you get a roll rather than spin.
“But I’m not one to putt from distance and even though I was on a classic links course I stuck with chipping from off the green.
“Royal Dornoch is always in immaculate condition, and I have always wanted to get my name on the Shield. It is such an amazing trophy. I’m just glad it turned out to be my year.”
The Davidson Trophy for low handicap players was secured by Duddingston’s Niall Alexander, defeating Royal Dornoch’s Derek MacDougall at the first extra hole.
The Ellis Fraser Trophy for high handicappers was won by Ross MacKay of Martinborough Golf Club in New Zealand, whose round included a hole in one at the 10th to see off the Isle of Skye’s Robert MacAskill on the last green.
Royal Dornoch captain Gary Bethune said: “Congratulations to Graham and the other finalists.
“As ever the standard of golf was very impressive for the Shield and scoring throughout the week was helped by the wonderful spell of weather we have enjoyed in the Highlands. The golf course was a true links challenge.”
Nearly 300 competitors from home and abroad teed-up for the week-long event, regarded as one of the most prestigious in UK club golf.
The ornate engraved silver Shield, donated by Scots philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in the early years of the 20th Century, will be a focal point within the new £13.9 million clubhouse which opens officially next year.