Barr loses out in extra-time

Jun 19 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DESPITE mounting a courageous comeback in the final head to head, Nicky Barr had to settle for second place in the DM Hall Scottish Mid-Amateur Championship.

At rain-soaked Royal Burgess in Edinburgh this week, the Craigie Hill star took the clash with Kilmacolm’s Andrew Farmer down the 19th.

He’d trailed by four holes on the back nine but battled back into contention.

But with the final tilted in his favour when Farmer found a greenside bunker at the first play-off hole, Barr agonisingly three putted.

Farmer (35) was a member of Scotland’s winning European Boys Team Championship back in 1992, playing in the same team as Stephen Gallagher and Gordon Sherry.

Barr had been in fine form to reach the final but failed to convert several chances to peg back Farmer’s early advantage.

Finally a birdie putt dropped at the 10th to reduce the deficit to three holes and Farmer bogeys at the 15th and 17th took the match to the final green. Barr’s birdie at the 18th prompted the drama of a play-off.

At the presentation, DM Hall partner Chris Simpson paid tribute to both players.

He said: “We had some fantastic golf at Royal Burgess and credit to both finalists for a great match. It was fitting that it came down to Andrew and Nicky, having led the qualifiers.