Bryan Fotheringham of Forres Golf Club has successfully defended the North District of the Scottish Golf Union Mens Strokeplay Championship at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.

To put this accomplishment in perspective, Bryan is the 1st player to have successfully defended this title in twenty years. North District golfing legend Jimmy Miller of Brora Golf Club, defending the title and winning his 7th district title at Nairn Golf Club in 1989.

Fotheringham, the former Scottish Mens Amateur Golf Internationalist, who is playing most of his golf in his backyard these days after getting engaged, opened with a score of 67, three under the CSS of 70. He trailed local player Michael MacDonald, a former North District of the SGU Champion, by one shot at the half-way stage.

In third place was Alan Cameron of Inverness Golf Club who posted a 68.

In the afternoon, MacDonald slumped to a score of 74 for a total of 140 to finish in tied third position while Fotheringham used his vast experience to post a second round score of 69 for an aggregate score of 136 to win comfortably by three strokes.

In runner-up place was Cameron, who added a 2nd round score of 71 to his opening effort of 68.

Well-known North District competitors Stevie McIntosh (73 & 70) of Muir of Ord Golf Club and former Scottish Mens Internationalist Euan Forbes (71 & 71), the secretary of Inverness Golf Club, finished T5, one stroke ahead of former North District player Neil Hampton of Nairn Golf Club and M Ferries (75 & 70) of Tain Golf Club.

L McAlpine of Invergordon Golf Club won the Murray Watt Youth Trophy with scores of 69 and 73 for 142, five strokes ahead of nearest rival R Clarke (72 & 75) of Moray Golf Club, who finsihed on 147.

North District Championship at Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

CSS: 70/70 - Scratch - 136 B Fotheringham (Forres) (67,69); 139 A Cameron (Inverness) (68,71); 140 N McWilliam (Garmouth & Kingston) (71,69), M MacDonald (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (66,74); 142 E Forbes (Inverness) (71,71); 143 S McIntosh (Muir of Ord) (73,70); 144 N Hampton (Nairn) (70,74); 145 M Ferries (Tain) (75,70).

Youths' Championship - Scratch - 142 L McAlpine (Invergordon) (69,73); 147 R Clarke (Moray) (72,75); 148 J Wright (Forres) (73,75); 149 N Howitt (Nairn) (75,74).

Handicap - 135 nett J Fraser (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) ( 68,67); 138 nett M Ross (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (71,67); 140 nett A Brown (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (68,72).

* For further information on this championship and golf in the North of Scotland in general, please visit www.sgunorthgolf.com