MAN of the moment Jim McKirdy kept his grip on the Sir Harry Hope Cup last Saturday when he finished in pole position after the first round. The 11-handicapper, who won the trophy last season, led the field by two shots with 63.

This followed an impressive start to the season when he enjoyed a comfortable first class victory in the April Medal. McKirdy had birdies at the second and sixteenth in a solid round of 74 on Saturday with Alan McMillan (9) next on 66 while Graham Connor (11) and Alistair McFarlane (12) shared third place on 68. The competition scratch score was 66.

KINGARTH golfers will compete in the annual charity match for the RNLI Trophy tomorrow (Saturday) with the usual ballot at the clubhouse at 8.30am. After the competition the presentation of prizes for the Winter League competition will be held at St Blane's Hotel, Kilchattan Bay. The McArthur Cup for first place has been won by John Stewart while the other award winners are John Kernaghan, Jim McKirdy, Gordon Little, David Cameron and David Bryden. Prize for most twos has been won by Graham Bolton.

BUTE SENIORS GOLF LEAGUE IT is still all to play for at the halfway stage of the Bute Seniors Golf League with the three island clubs all having played two with a victory at home and a defeat away. Title holders Rothesay enjoyed a 2½ - 1½ win over Bute at Canada Hill but lost 3½ - ½ at the Port. In the other match Bute beat Port Bannatyne 3-1 at Kingarth. The remaining fixtures are: This week - Rothesay v. Port Bannatyne; Tuesday, April 25 - Port Bannatyne v. Bute; Tuesday, May 2 - Bute v. Rothesay.