Glenmavis ace Tam Whitfield turned up trumps in the £4000 21st West Lothian Masters having proved his supremacy by battling though a 163 strong pack to capture the rich £1000 Masters prize and the signature Green Jacket.
The defeat of No16 seed Frazer Muirhead (21-15) of Uphall Station in the quarterfinals was another feather in the cap of a crowd pleasing performer perfectly at ease on the big stage and displaying a cool calm composure. The semi finals pitched Whitfield against former Scottish and British Isles Pairs champion Ian Robertson of Newbridge and his excited support cheered a maximum count of 4 on the 28th end that clinched a 21-15 victory. Meanwhile the other semi final had produced a surprisingly comfortable 21-5 win for Paul Sweeney of Newbridge over his fellow Hamilton Trophy colleague Steven Fleming of Linlithgow, the No14 seed.
The final lasted 24-ends and its first major highlight came with a five end run of 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 from Whitfield that brought a vision of the title into his sharp focus at 17-10 up.
Sweeney raised the temperature of the final and heightened the tension as he battled back to within one shot at 18-17 however the melting pot climax saw Whitfield card three sizzling singles for the loss of one – and trigger a jubilant £1000 Masters salute.
“I am a bit stunned by it all really as thoughts of being crowned the 21st Master seemed a dream too far but I have thoroughly enjoyed the weeklong roller coaster experience and feel like I have been on a rocker to the moon – and I am certainly over the moon at this point in time”.
Whitfield’s triumph was also great news for Raymond Reid of Queensferry who had drawn the Glenmavis ace in the G.F. Lift Hydraulics sponsored Players Sweepstake and pocketed the £150 prize.
Cameron Fraser of Whitburn was the ticket holder of runner up Paul Sweeney and collected £100 while £75 each went to Gary Smith of Linlithgow (Ian Robertson) and Grant Ramsay of East Calder (Steven Fleming). Further Players Sweepstake prizes included 4 x £50 vouchers from Slaters Menswear and 8 x £20 Vouchers from Sainsbury’s Livingston/Winchburgh/Linlithgow.
Tuesday’s second round play in the Weslo Housing Management Seniors Open saw Colin Stein beat Tommy Turnbull of Broxburn to reach today’s (Thur) third round against Derek Wakler of Oakbank and he is joined at Mid Calder by his Linlithgow colleague Gary Smith who faces Robert Saunders of Whitburn.
Also at Mid Calder ( 11-30am); Bill McElhinney (East Calder) v Bill Grier (Pumpherston); Jim Horsburgh (Watson Memorial) v Robert Kiltie (West Calder).
And at Winchburgh; Bill McDonald (East Calder) v Bill Broadley (Armadale); Alister Wilson (Linlithgow) v Ian Cruickshanks (Winchburgh); Davie Landles (Mid Calder) v Robert Sharp (Watson Memorial); Gordon Kain (Buchan Park) v Bob Mackay (Armadale).
Tuesday’s quarterfinals will be played at Buchan Park while the semi finals and final will be staged on Thursday at Glenmavis.
Deans BC is the venue tomorrow (Fri) and Saturday for the playing of the VHS
Sponsored WLBA Seniors Champion of Champions that has attracted an entry from
24 clubs.
Tomorrow (Fri) is the deadline for clubs entering the WLBA Champion of
Champions.
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