ROTHESAY'S Neil Ritchie will be hoping for a repeat performance of last year's triumph when he defends the Burnside Bowl next Wednesday in the Senior Open at Kingarth.

Five birdies and an eagle helped Ritchie to a superb three-under-par 65 for net 60 and the top prize. He finished one shot clear of runner-up Gordon Little of the home club. A big field is expected for the event which has been gaining in popularity since it was first started two years ago.

Again the competition is being sponsored by Bute's honorary captain Jim Burnside with other special prizes being provided by the local branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The player with the lowest net score will win the Burnside Bowl and a £60 voucher while the scratch winner will receive a £40 voucher. There are also voucher prizes in two classes -- age 50-60 and 61-and-over -- with an additional prize for the best net score by a player aged 65 or over.

Club captain Ian McDougall said: "Once again we are indebted to our sponsors, Jim Burnside and Ann Marie McLean of the Royal Bank, for their continued support. The course is in excellent condition and we are preparing for another successful day." The tournament has a handicap limit of 24. Competitors should report to the starter between 7.30am and 2.00pm on the day. There is an entry fee of £5 with £1 sweep optional.

THE Hume Ferguson Cup mixed competition has been won by Marion MacDonald, Beck Reid and John Bunyan. They led the field in last Friday's Texas scramble with net 32. Graham Leonard, Liz McMillan and Bobby Melville were runners-up.

VICE-CAPTAIN John Bunyan completed a successful weekend when he led his team to a 3½ -½ victory in the annual Captain's v. Vice-Captain's team event last Saturday. Other members of his winning line-up were John Kernaghan, Duncan Keith, Bobby Melville, James McAlister, Duncan Speirs and Leonard Ferguson, while Jim McKirdy and Jim Wylie secured the halved match for Captain Ian McDougall's team.

KINGARTH golfers are back in team action tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to Rothesay for the annual social match between the two clubs. Players should report to the Rothesay clubhouse at 12 noon.