McClean's victory, watched by a large number of spectators in fine playing conditions, made the club's 2008 championship battle the first since 1995 not to be won by either Graham Bolton or George Reynolds.

McClean, who had edged out Reynolds at the last hole of the semi-final, went into the final's lunch break with a two hole advantage, and increased his lead with a three at the fourth hole of the final round - but Gilchrist, who had defeated Bolton at the 18th in the other semi, replied immediately with a birdie three at the fifth.

A further birdie at the seventh saw McClean extend his lead once more, only to lose the eighth to par, leaving the younger player with a two-hole lead going into the back nine.

The tenth hole was halved in par before Gilchrist shot a three at the 11th to reduce the deficit to a single hole, only to fail to make par to hand McClean a two-hole lead once again.

Both players parred the 13th, and though a birdie three at the 14th brought Gilchrist back to one down, that was as close as he would get to victory, as McClean, a former junior champion closed the game out with a three at the 15th and a par at the 16th to clinch victory after a final that was a credit to both players.

The second class championship, for the Atlantic Tankard, also featured a first-time winner, Willie Glen clinching the silverware with a final hole victory over Kenny Thomson, while the Sunningdale Bowl for the third class championship was also decided at the 18th, Stevie Maher defeating Gary Gabell by one hole.

The junior championship final saw Mikey McDougall defeat Liam Shanks by a convincing margin of 6 and 4, while Liz McMillan retained her ladies' championship title with an 18th-green victory over Phyllis McKirdy.

Eileen Barker beat Louise Pearson by one hole in the final of the ladies' handicap championship.