GOUROCK golf club's famous Gillen Trophy Open Tournament saw over 200 players competing for the coveted title.

As well as the top players from the host club, a number visitors from the other Inverclyde clubs competed alongside as well as players from further afield.

The scoring was very competitive on the day, with four players, Paul Carroll, Alasdair Mackenzie, Greg Chamberlain and Pat Cannon all achieving a five under par nett 68, but only sharing third place.

Richard Crawford, from Largs, had the advantage of being familiar with Gourock's layout and he delivered a tremendous score of 82 less 16 for a nett 66.

The talented golfer was steady throughout his round, with his only error being a double bogey at the challenging eighth hole.

Richard however had to settle for the runner-up spot, with Tommy Bolton from Gourock also delivering a nett 66 but eclipsing the Largs man on the basis of a better score on the back nine.

Tommy had a slight wobble with a treble bogey at the ninth, but immediately got back on track with a birdie at the 10th hole. He steadied the ship with a run of five straight pars in the middle of the homeward run, and despite a seven down the last, he took first prize.

A club spokesperson said: "This was a great day for Tommy, who has been a stalwart at Gourock Golf Club for many years."

Scoring was also of a high standard in the scratch section, with 2020 Gourock champion Steven Higgins to the fore.

He got off to a blistering start to his round, bagging no less than four birdies in his first five holes. Unfortunately he frittered his score away somewhat with a handful of bogies but still returned a solid par 73.

Craig Thomson of Greenock also scored 73 with a round of 10 pars, four bogeys and four birdies. Topping the leaderboard was local player Alasdair MacKenzie, who continued his steady form this season with a magnificent gross 72.

Alasdair demonstrated his prowess at the long holes, achieving three birdies at the four par fives plus a birdie at the short fourth, only to be partially offset by three bogies at six, seven and 15.

A club spokesperson added: "It was a great one under par score from Alasdair, making him a very deserving winner of the scratch trophy."

The committee and members of Gourock Golf Club are once again grateful to Green Oak Funeral Services for their continued sponsorship of this prestigious event.

Alasdair and Tommy are both pictured here with their silverware.