Golf: Scottish Club Championship crown goes to Carrickvale

Carrickvale posted a four-round total of 277, seven-under par, to finish three strokes clear of St Andrews who claimed the runners-up spot for the second year in a row, with Powfoot and Glenbervie tied third a further shot back.

"This is a fantastic achievement for a club like Carrickvale," admitted Dick. "Considering the strength in depth in the Lothians, I was actually surprised to hear we were the first winners of the event from this part of the country."

St Andrews seized the first round lead after excellent rounds of 66 and 67 from Gary Sharp and Daniel Sommerville gave them a nine-under par tally of 133.

Carrickvale were a shot behind after a round of 66 from Dick and Elliot's 68. Glenbervie were also in the hunt four shots adrift, with Stirling University student Graeme Robertson also firing a five-under 66.

The Capital club applied the pressure in the afternoon and Dick returned his second sub-par round of the day with a second round 70, while Elliot followed up with a 73.

"With four holes to go, St Andrews were two shots ahead of us but one of their guys played that stretch in six-over," said Dick. "I suppose they gifted it to us but, at the same time, we had posted seven-under to set the target."

Despite a solid level-par 71 from Sommerville, team-mates Sharp and Kevin Hastie could only manage a 76 and 77 respectively.

"This win is the icing on the cake for me this year," admitted Dick, the Lothians champion who earned a first Scotland cap in last month's Home Internationals.

"And I would probably say it tops the Dispatch Trophy treble for the club as this is an event involving clubs from the 16 SGU Areas."

Carrickvale now go on to represent Scotland in the European Club Championship at Estela Golf Club in Portugal from October 21-23.

"We'll be looking out the sombreros," said Dick.