STIRLING AND CLACKMANNAN CROWNED SCOTTISH WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONS

Stirling and Clackmannan were crowned Scottish Women’s County champions – 24 years after they last reached the Finals and lifted the trophy.

Captain Alison Jones’s team finished the round robin series unbeaten after wins against Scottish Golf North (7-2), a halved match with Renfrewshire (4.5-4.5) and then today’s 6-3 triumph against Dumfriesshire.

North – the defending champions – finished the series as runner-up with Renfrewshire third and Dumfriesshire fourth.

It was an incredible three days of golf from the eight Stirling and Clackmannan women who represented their county with pride and distinction.

The last time Stirling and Clackmannan competed in the Finals was 2002 when they won the title for a second year running.

Since then, the county has failed to reach the season’s showpiece finale from their regional jamboree, but returned in some style for this year’s event staged at Dunfermline Golf Club.

The win caps a quite astonishing year for women’s golf in the county.

Two of the county team – Stirling Golf Club duo Alison Davidson and Erin Huskie – have already claimed individual national titles this season.

In May, 18-year-old Huskie landed the Scottish Women’s Amateur title and a month later, former Curtis Cup player Davidson won the Scottish Senior Women’s Open.

This time the team featuring Huskie and Davidson (both Stirling), Jennie Allan (Glenbervie), Laura Bissett (Braehead Alloa), Eva Woodward (Linlithgow), Ava Paterson (Tulliallan), Erin Macalpine (Glenbervie) and Margo Gardner (West Lothian) gelled together to bring a team trophy to the county.

For captain Jones it was a moment to treasure.

She said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m so proud of the team. To lift the plaque tonight after 24 years was simply amazing.

“Everyone gets on and the camaraderie and the fun – we all have fun – that really helps.

“The fact that we’ve won has left me speechless.

“It’s been 24 years, but so worth the wait.”