DEFENDING champion Donald Standaloft gave notice that he is in no mood to relinquish his title as he cruised to the semi-finals in style last Saturday at Kingarth. Ten-handicapper Jim McKirdy was on the receiving end as his three-handicap opponent hit him with sub-par golf in their quarter-final tie. Three birdies in the first nine holes helped Standaloft to a comfortable lead at the turn which set him up for a 7 and 6 victory.

The biggest challenge to the reigning champion is expected to come from David Cameron who has been in impressive form in recent weeks. However Cameron just made it to the semi-finals after a close encounter of the veteran kind when he came up against George Cuthbertson, fresh from helping the club win the Bute Seniors League. Cuthbertson hit his more fancied opponent with four birdies as he took him all the way to the 18th green before losing one down. Robert MacDonald, a finalist three years ago, and Gordon Pettigrew, who has won the title four times, were also involved in a tight match before MacDonald secured his semi-final place with a 3 and 2 win. Pettigrew, three down after 10 holes, rallied to reduce the leeway to one after 12 but the recovery was short-lived as MacDonald hit back to re-establish his three-hole advantage before closing the game on the 16th green. In the fourth quarter-final David Bryden went through after beating an out-of-form Duncan Speirs by 6 and 5.

Cameron now meets MacDonald in the semis while Standaloft will play Bryden with the final over 18 holes on Sunday.

Meanwhile in the "wee championship" for the Cuthbertson Cup there was a 7 and 5 quarter-final victory for Bobby Gordon over Frazer Robinson while Alistair McFarlane edged out Alex McIntosh when he finished one up. In the semis Gordon will meet Gordon Little and McFarlane takes on John Kernaghan with the final also on Sunday. ----------------------------

BUTE golfers entertain Port Bannatyne tomorrow (Saturday) in their annual social match which has a 1.00pm tee-off at Kingarth. ----------------------------

A BIG entry is expected for the Kingarth Open which takes place on Sunday week (June 25). The event is again being generously sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland with an £80 voucher plus the Middleton Cup going to the player with the lowest net score. There is also a scratch award of £50 voucher in addition to several prizes in two classes plus miscellaneous awards at selected holes. Maximum handicap is 18. First tee-off is at 7.30am continuing until 3.00pm.