AN IRVINE golfer has won his club's club championship for a remarkable eighth time.

John Shanks claimed the title at The Irvine Golf Club earlier this month, overcoming a first time finalist in Tom Loy.

And though John had experience on his side, he knew he faced stiff competition, with his opponent recently winning the club's 36 hole strokeplay championship.

It was a 36 hole format again for the championship final - though played as match play rather than strokeplay.

John enjoyed the ideal start in the match, playing some impressive golf as a two under par start for his first four holes resulted in a three up lead in the match.

Though Tom would reduce the defict to only one hole after a birdie on the fifth and par on the sixth were enough to win those holes.

After a couple of halved holes, parity would be restored on the ninth hole when Tom roled in another birdie.

In the rollercoaster match, John would regain his lead with a birdie only a hole later, doubling it when he made another on the 12th.

Though a par was enough to gain Tom a hole back on 16, before an excellent birdie on 17 levelled the tie once again.

With it looking that the players would be level at the halfway stage, John rolled in an excellent birdie putt on 18 to end the morning round one up.

And when the players came out in the afternoon for the second 18 holes, John began to show why he had been champion seven times before.

In sticky, hot, conditions, John started where he had left off, while Tom began to slip in the opening nine - allowing John to build up a healthy lead.

Though mistakes at 13 and 14 left the door slightly ajar for Tom, John swung it back shut at the 15th when he rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt which handed him the 4&3 win.

It was a thrilling conclusion to the club's premier competition - with the match played in good spirits and at a high standard.

A spokesperson for The Irvine Golf Club commented: "The game was played in tremendous spirit, a testament to both finalists."

John would then receive his eighth club championship trophy from club captain Stuart McInnes.

As he got his hands on the trophy once again, John congratulated all those who qualified and played in the knockout stages of this year’s competition and in particular to Tom for making his first final and playing so well.

John added: "It is always a special moment to win the trophy but even more so as a dad for the first time and I look forward to the opportunity to defend the title next year."