It’s youth to the fore!

Gordon Nicol initiated the GB Nicol Trophy because he was annoyed at being refused entry to senior opens because his club did not have one of its own.

The event is open to seniors — ranging in age from 55 to more than 70 — and most years the money it raises goes to charity.

This year, however, it was decided to give it to the youth section of the club to encourage the next generation of southside golfers.

Andrew Noble, the senior open convener, told ExtraSport: “The Gordon Nicol Trophy was started some 10 years ago when Mr Nicol was fed up being turned down from entering senior opens because Whitecraigs did not have an open for other clubs to come to.

“The seniors have kept this up and usually any profit goes to a charity.

“This year I decided we had a thriving junior section and it would be good if they could benefit from any money raised.”

Around 42 clubs took part in the open, held on August 6, with some players crying off due to the expected bad weather.

Andrew praised the sponsors for the prizes they donated.

He continued: “Whole Foods gave me a voucher 
for a raffle, which I had no 
intentions of having, but on asking around was given 
several prizes and raised £450: one was a very kind 
donation of a Rotary watch from the granddaughter of 
the late Gordon Nicol, who 
was delighted to hear this 
trophy was still being carried on.”

From group A the winner was Whitecraigs’ own Neil Gillies. Group B was won by Kemnay’s Ray Logie while Group C went to John Lang from Dumbarton.

In all, some £2,000 was raised on the day.

Andrew said: “We have some 150 juniors, both boys and girls, and a good boys’ team that play matches against other clubs in a league and they are needing new kit — some of the money will be used for this.

“Arnold Clark are going to supply logos for these uniforms.

“We now have also developed a new nine-hole golf course and have another section of youths involved in this: some 102 boys and girls.

“The tournament was won by a member of East Renfrewshire Golf Club and some good scores were recorded.”