Somers Shines At Gullane in Scottish Amateur
North East golfer Chris Somers produced a sensational birdie-birdie finish to give him victory in the 2025 Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship, defeating Archie Finnie in a thrilling final at Gullane No.1.
Played in front a large crowd in glorious sunshine on the East Lothian coast, the closing few holes proved a fitting finale to a superb week of golf, with Gullane Golf Club hosting the championship for the first time since 2010.
For 27-year old Somers from Murcar Links, it was an emotional end as he etched his name on the trophy alongside the likes of Bob MacIntyre, Colin Montgomerie, Stephen Gallacher and fellow Aberdonian David Law.
The final was a close-knit affair between Somers, who entered the match play stages at No.16 seed, and Finnie – the 2021 Scottish Boys Amateur Champion, who progressed from the stroke play as No.3 seed. There was never more than one hole in it with only two holes changing hands and one dropped shot up until the 15th hole, before a glorious approach from Finnie set up an eagle chance, and a tap in birdie was good enough to edge in front with three holes to play. Somers narrowly missed a birdie putt at the par three 16th and bravely elected to go for the green at the 17th hole, with his booming but accurate drive finishing just 20-feet behind the pin.
A deft chip from the fringe gave him a conceded birdie to level the match, and a wonderful approach pitch on 18 set up a birdie chance from 8 feet, which he calmy rolled in to clinch the title amid a raucous roar from his travelling supporters.
“It feels incredible and hard to put into words. It was all a bit of a blur really. I had a good yardage on 18 – similar to the one when I holed out for eagle in my match in the round of 16. That gave me confidence, but I can’t remember much about the putt. To do it in front of a crowd with my family and friends here was so special.”
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Scottish Golf and Gullane Golf Club for another fantastic championship at an exceptional golf course which was presented in incredible condition. I can’t wait to return!”
Finnie, a member at Royal Burgess in Edinburgh and a golf scholar at Northwestern University, where he follows in the footsteps of famous golfing alum including European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, was in impressive form throughout the week, carding a five-under 66 on Gullane No.2 in the opening round of stroke play, followed by an excellent 67 on Gullane No.1 on day two.
He ousted Dunbar’s Callum Kenneally on the final hole in a terrific quarter-final match before coming from behind to beat Mark Thomson 3&2 in his semi-final.
Gullane’s golfers gave a good account of themselves in the championship, with six players progressing through to the match play stages – Archie Cook, Harry Bent, Oliver Mukherjee, Thomas Simmonds, Alexander Yuill and Sam Hall. It was former club champion Sam Hall who led the charge in the match play stages, winning both his matches on the Thursday before falling at the last-16 stage, while 2022 Scottish Men’s Amateur Champion Oliver Mukherkee also enjoyed two match play wins, before being edged out on the final green by Keneally, having beaten Gregor Tait in a repeat of the 2022 final.
Before presenting the trophy to the new champion, club captain Colin Steele said: “It’s been an honour to host the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship at Gullane Golf Club and we’ve witnessed some terrific golf throughout the week, culminating in a hugely entertaining final. The feedback we’ve received from players and spectators has been great, with everyone impressed by the condition of both courses. A huge amount of credit goes to our Course Manager, Paul Armour and his team for working tirelessly all week – we normally prepare a course for a one or two-day event, so to have the links in immaculate condition for all five days is testament to their efforts.
“We’ve had many players saying Gullane had the best greens they’d putted on all year and given the number of top-class courses on the circuit, that’s a great plaudit to receive.”
Max Smith, Tournament Director for Scottish Golf, added: “The overwhelming feedback from the players this year was that both courses were in superb condition and a true and fair test of golf. As championship organisers, we can’t ask for anything more. Paul Armour and his greenkeeping team deserve huge credit for how the courses were presented – testament to the hard work and long hours they put in over the week.
“Off the course, the welcome the players received in the clubhouse was also special and this helped create a real buzz for the five days of competition. I’d like to thank Gordon Simpson and the staff at Gullane Golf Club for playing their part in what was a truly memorable event and we look forward to the day when we have the opportunity to return for another Scottish Golf championship.”
To view the match play results click here and to view the stroke play qualifying scores click here.