Club Championship & Monthly Medals - Season 2005-2006

June Medal & Club Championship 2nd Round Qualifier - 11 June 05
Race is on for Club honour

Don Mackay Jnr

The June Medal was always going to be tough with a strong sea breeze and very dull cloudy skies but fortunately the threatening rain did not materialise until very late in the day and this was reflected in the CSS being 69. Only James Henderson and Raymond Taylor caught the inclement weather as they had to return scores for the Club Championship qualifier having missed the first qualifier. They should have got medals just for playing in those conditions - it never rains on a golf course?

The best round of the day of 74 came from Don Mackay (Jnr) with a birdie 4 at the 4^th and a birdie 2 at the 15^th but alas a double bogey at 6 and other dropped shots meant Don dropped out of contention. The man in form was Sandy Chisholm who played very steadily with a birdie at the 13^th and a great score of 78 (12) 66 posted early in the day and good enough to keep the lead and win the Division 1 June Medal. Murdo MacDonald followed closely behind also a great score in the conditions with a birdie at the 10^th to record the same score 78 (12) 66 but unfortunately lost out on the medal on the count back. Bruce Mackay had another steady round and a birdie at the 6^th to return 78 (11) 67 for third place and another drop in his handicap. A creditable round came in from Andy Bain of 79 (11) 68 with birdies at the difficult 10^th and a grandstand birdie 2 for the on looking gallery at the 18^th to wrap up 4^th place. Halves of 40 gave Willie Steven a tidy 80 (11) 69 and Richard McDonald secured birdies at the 6^th and 8^th also for a neat 76 (7) 69.

In Division 2 scoring was tough and there were 7 no returns but some beat the elements led by Andy Whitelaw who had 3 birdies at 6^th, 9^th and 16^th but also a few dropped shots and a fine 81 for the lowest gross in Division 2 and 81 (13) 68. Ian Ross needing a score to qualify for the Club Championship after a disappointing no return on Tuesday recorded figures of 81 (14) 67 to take third place and match the lowest gross score for the Division. After being absent for a while nice to see Billy Moore scoring back to back birdies at 14^th and 15^th to return 89 (23) 66 for an excellent effort in the wind and only second place. Into first place and seriously upsetting the new Handicap Secretary Bill McIntosh after only being awarded a handicap on Wednesday came Ian MacKintosh making his debut in Competition with a superb back to back brace of birdies at 5^th and 6^th to go out in only 42 shots. The Division 2 Medal was well won by Ian with 91 (28) 63 and congratulations on a great effort. The Handicap Secretary will be watching though?

The June Medal doubles up as a Club Championship Qualifier and the early pace with the two best rounds is 76/79 (155) set by David Dunbar who is also knocking on the door now for Wilson Cup selection. Three players are tied on 161 and they are Richard McDonald, John O'Brien and D.C.Mackay. Loitering with intent on 162 is Bruce Mackay. A few notable names are missing including the current Club Champion Graeme Dunnett and they can't afford to miss the final qualifier.

Andy Whitelaw sets the pace on 138 in the Handicap section with Bruce Mackay hot on his heels on 139. The Leading Senior golfer is D.C.Mackay who is also a strong contender for the scratch competition and Murdo MacDonald is also well placed in two sections. This Saturday sees the postponed George Couper Trophy being contested over the Reay Links.

Photos

Andy Bain	Alistair Gunn
Jock Eunson & Colin Stewart	Fred Groves, Alf Mackay & Andy Mackay
Graeme Dunnett & Ian Ross	Gavin Gunn
George Prince	Gavin Sutherland
John Disbury, Billy Moore & Andy Whitelaw	Don Mackay - senior

End-of-Document

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