Published: Friday, 21st July, 2006 1:00pm
Dees pips clubmate for trophy
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EmailJIM DEES, of Tantallon Golf Club, lifted the Esmond Trophy Handicap Matchplay on Saturday with a two-and-one victory over young clubmate Joe Lockie.
The Esmond Trophy is a prestigious and historic event in the East Lothian golfing calendar and has been fiercely contested for the last 75 years.
From the seventh hole onwards, Dees took control of the match after a promising start from the talented Lockie saw him one up after six holes, which included a 20 -foot putt for a two at the sixth.
Dees went two up after winning the seventh, eighth and ninth and the lead remained the same after halves at the 10th and 11th until young Lockie pulled it back to all-square by the 13th.
The 14th was another hole halved in the competitive match but a missed putt from four feet by Lockie for a bogey let in Dees who chipped and putted well for his par to give him the advantage with four to play.
After receiving a shot at the 16th, Dees then fired a magnificent three-wood drive to within eight feet of the flag where Lockie conceded the hole.
A half at the 17th was all that was required by Dees to lift the historic trophy and Lockie helped him out on that one by missing his par from a short distance.
The Tantallon club were represented prominently in the latter stages of the competition, with John Jones and Tom Hill also reaching the semi-final out of a field of competitors from 18 East Lothian clubs.
Tournament secretary Harvey Butterworth said: 'It"s always a great occasion for the Esmond Trophy and this year"s tournament was just brilliant.'
