Winter Tournaments - Season 2005-2006

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4BBB (11) - 19 March 06
J&C win on last round

John Disbury	Colin Stewart

The Final Round of the 4BBB was keenly contested with two pairs tied on 179 points for the trophy. This was the last chance to get in a better score. Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien were neck and neck with Colin Stewart and John Disbury.

On the day Colin Stewart and John Disbury shot a nett 65 which in itself is a good score but they could not improve their position going out in 32 and coming home in 33 and had to settle for 4th place. The main competition was John O'Brien and Bruce Mackay who also made a great attempt to improve their scores but they had to accept third place with a nett 64. John had two birdies at the 5^th and the 6^th and Bruce made birdie at the 16^th.

Donald Mowat and David Mackay have battled valiantly all season in this competition and made second with a nett 64 also but sneaking the spot on the countback. Mojo had a nice wee birdie at the 10^th which is a hole that doesn't give up many birdies. The pairing of Evan Sutherland and Chris Hobson won the round with a nett 63 and Chris had a birdie at the 16^th which appears to be a regular birdie hole for him.

Once the dust was settled third place overall was shared by Chris Hobson and Mike Browne on 187 as an aggregate score with Alistair Gunn and Gavin Gunn. Tied on 179 with neither able to improve their scores was John Disbury and Colin Stewart and the pairing of Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien. Bruce and John had best rounds of 61, 59 and 59 making up the 179. Colin and John had rounds of 64, 57 and 58 for their total of 179.

This was a very exciting result after eleven rounds were played and especially so as it went right down to the last round and we still had a tie. Sadly there could only be one winner and the trophy was eventually won by Colin Stewart and John Disbury as they had achieved the lowest round of 57 and picked up the last of the winter trophies.

4BBB (10) - 05 March 06
J&C put pressure on J&B

John Disbury	Colin Stewart

Round 10 suddenly made the competition very interesting as Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien no longer had things all there own way. Colin Stewart and John Disbury came in with another amazing score of 58 to grab the top spot on the day and move alongside John and Bruce in the hunt for the trophy with an aggregate score of 179 and with two rounds to go anything can happen. The weather might even play a hand here if the course is under snow and these two rounds are lost.

O'Brien and Mackay were not on their best form with only a 63 which is still a good score and a birdie for Bruce at the long 4^th. Evan Sutherland made birdie at the 14^th in his pairing with Don C.Mackay and a score of 64. Lee Parnell and Steve Efemey another pair on 64 and in contention put up a good show with Lee making a birdie at the 1^st a great effort and Steve getting a treble with birdies at the 4^th, 15^th and the 16^th. Mojo managed a birdie two at the 5^th which helped him and Snapper along to a 65. Sandy Chisholm birdied the 13^th in his partnership with Alf Mackay.

Third place went to Alistair and Gavin Gunn with a workmanlike nett 63 and whilst there were no birdies there were few errors in a very tidy card. Second was taken by Don A.Mackay and Ian Ritchie smoking along to a nett 62 with Ian getting the grandstand finish with a birdie two on the 18^th. Don contributed three birdies in a very strong finish going under par at the 13^th, 16^th and the 17^th.

On fire and in a class of their own were John Disbury and Colin Stewart both in excellent form recently with individual wins. Colin produced a birdie at the 12^th and scored on 9 holes. John made a fine contribution on the other 9 holes and their combined nett 58 out in 30 and back home in 28 was another great score to match their nett 57 in the last round. These two wonderful scores mean they are now neck and neck with John O'Brien and Bruce Mackay with both pairings on 179 for the three best rounds.

4BBB (9) - 19 February 06
John & Colin continue good streak

John Disbury	Colin Stewart

This competition is proving to be very enjoyable and with three rounds left there is a late challenge for the top honours.

Donald Mowat and David Mackay are not giving up and still competing although not scoring so well in this format. This week they managed a nett 67 with a birdie for Mojo on the 14^th and a birdie for Snapper on the difficult 17^th. The men from the West John O'Brien and Bruce Mackay carded a combined nett 63 with both getting a birdie but maintaining their early form was always going to be tough to keep up. Bruce was first down at the 6^th and John saved his birdie till the 14^th for a very tidy score.

Father and son pairing of Alistair and Gavin Gunn had a birdie from Gavin also at the 14^th in a very workmanlike card of 61 and third place and are really challenging the leaders for the trophy. The new pairing of Ian Ritchie and Don Mackay Jnr shot to the front with a birdie from Don at the 8^th. Partner Ian Ritchie was in blistering form with no less than five birdies at the 2^nd, 7^th, 12^th, 15^th and the 17^th in a wonderful score of 60 which should have taken first place but had to settle for second.

John Disbury and Colin Stewart both enjoying a streak of good form combined to produce the best score of the competition so far with a 57 and a massive leap into contention for the trophy. Colin threw in three birdies for good measure starting with a two at the short 5^th immediately followed with another birdie four at the 6^th. Colin anchored the back 9 with a superb birdie at the 14^th.

4BBB (8) - 22 January 06
Ian & Mike join and triumph

Ian Ritchie	Mike Browne

Round 8 of the 4BBB competition brought together a new winning combination as a pleasant change but the usual cohorts were gathering and scoring well. Still Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien appear to have a firm grip on the trophy but they are being slowly pegged back. The two magnificent 59's they have in the bag will be difficult to match never mind beat.

In fourth place quietly plugging away were Bill McIntosh and Danny O'Hagan whilst not setting the heather on fire still produced a very respectable better ball score of 65 which is 4 under par. No birdies but dove tailing well with consistent play.

Third place went to Snapper and Mojo aka David Mackay and Donald Mowat who combined well for a 64 and 5 under par. Mojo was continuing his recent birdie blitz notching up three more with birdies at the 6^th, 7^th and the dangerous 17^th. He should be saving these for the eclectic competition.

Second place went to the leaders Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien knocking it round in a sparkling 63 and a birdie each to boot. Bruce made his at the 6^th and John had his birdie a nice two at the 9^th.

The winners of round 8 were Mike Browne and Ian Ritchie who were without their regular partners and with a super score of 62 may be looking to stay together as a winning combination. This was a great effort with Mike coming in on 8 holes with the better ball and Ian scoring on ten. Ian was on good form with three birdies with one falling at the 6^th, great approach play to set up a birdie at the 14^th and a wonderful towering iron to three feet with professional back spin for an easy birdie at the 16^th.

4BBB (7) - 08 January 06
Lee & Ritchie start romp

Lee Parnell	Richard MacDonald

Once again we had glorious weather for the time of year and excellent conditions for golf. This was better than some days we get in the summer. Out early were Donald Mowat and David Mackay struggling to make a score but Mojo getting his customary birdie two at the short 5^th hole to produce a combined score of 68 - the report card says can do better.

We welcome a new member to the Club in John Nicholson from the Dunbar Golf Club near Edinburgh who teamed up with Peter McCartney for a combined 71. John had the pleasure of getting his first birdie at the 8^th hole as he starts to find his way round the course and hopefully a bit more success in the future. In fourth place courtesy of the countback was the pairing of Mike Browne and Chris Hobson. Mike had a wonderful chip in from off the green for a birdie at the 5^th and this pairing shared the scoring coming in on nine holes each for their total of 64 and keeps the pressure on the leaders.

Getting the nod for third place was Alistair and Gavin Gunn with equal halves of 32 and a tidy card showing only two bogeys and a birdie for Alistair at the 17^th hole which is always a tough one to birdie. This also keeps up the pressure on the leaders. Two men you cant hold back are John O'Brien and the mercurial Bruce Mackay striving to maintain their low scoring record in this event making a 62 for second place. John also birdied the troublesome 17^th and Bruce pitched in with a pair of birdies at the 6^th and a cracking two at the 9^th. This pairing is going to be hard to beat and they are comfortable front runners.

Getting the measure of O'Brien and Mackay were the new pairing of Lee Parnell and Richard McDonald who proved to be an excellent combination and a real challenge with another 5 rounds to go. Lee Parnell had a nice close range putt for his birdie two at the 15^th and scored on nine of the holes. Playing Partner Richard McDonald was in blistering form in the nine holes he scored on, producing quality birdies at the 11^th and the 13^th and the icing on the cake a majestic eagle on the 6^th hole to make his contribution to the winning score of 60. Lee and Richard went out in 31 and came home in a terrific 29. Will there be a late challenge for the trophy if this pair can keep this momentum going?

John Nicolson	Peter McCartney

4BBB (6) - 31 December 05
Father & Son in control

Alistair Gunn	Gavin Gunn

Round 6 of the 4BBB Competition was played on a beautiful winter morning with clear blue skies and little or no wind. This brings the curtain down on 2005 and marks half way through the winter programme. Donald Mowat and David Mackay were trying hard to make up ground but the putts were just not falling however Mojo found the cup for a nice wee birdie at the 6^th but there wasn't a lot else to celebrate in the round.

Knocked off their pedestal were Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien having to settle for third place with a 68 and not even a birdie between them. This could let in a few more challengers but they are still front runners at the moment. A new partnership entering the fray was that of Jock Eunson and Grant Coghill and making an immediate impression with a great 64, a good run of scores over the next 6 rounds could see a serious challenge to Mackay and O'Brien. Jock Eunson had the Icing on the cake with a birdie at the 6^th hole.

The father and son pairing of Alistair and Gavin Gunn were out in 30 and back home in 33 to tie up the round with a tidy and workmanlike 63. Alistair managed a birdie two at the Viking's Grave short 15^th followed by a poor 16^th where both decided to bogey which is bad news in better ball. Nevertheless steady scoring and good use of handicaps brought Alistair and Gavin home as round winners.

4BBB (5) - 18 December 05
In form J'O'B & Bruce hard to beat in Winter

John O'Brien	Bruce Mackay

Round 5 of the Four Ball Better Ball League was able to be played and threw up a few birdies and good scores. Donald Mowat and David Mackay playing as a pairing managed to cobble together a score of nett 64 and Mojo threw in a birdie at the 8^th for good measure. This was 4^th place in a tie of three scores for nett 64.

Coming home in third place also on a score of 64 was the workmanlike partnership of Lee Parnell and Steve Efemey. Lee Parnell was leading the way with birdie two's at the short 5^th and the much more difficult 7^th hole.

Also on 64 but getting second place on the countback were the father and son pairing of Alistair and Gavin Gunn. Both had a birdie with Gavin first down at the 14^th for a birdie 4 and Alistair making his contribution of a birdie at the 16^th.

The run away pairing of the inform Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien who are really dominating all the competitions at the moment shot a stunning 59. Going out in 28 they had 2 birdies on the front nine at the 3^rd and the 5th and came back in 31 with three birdies falling at the 12^th, 14^th and the 16th. Bruce and John seem to have the hang of better ball play and know how to dove tail using their handicaps well. The secret is one makes the par leaving the other a shot at birdie.

After four qualifying rounds it is no surprise to find John O'Brien and Bruce Mackay leading the field with a total of 118 for the best two rounds so far. Lurking not too far away on 123 are the old sea dogs Mike Browne and Chris Hobson. Sharing 127 and well in contention are the pairings of Efemey and Parnell and Mowat and Mackay.

4BBB (4) - 27 November 05
In form J'O'B & Bruce win this round

John O'Brien	Bruce Mackay

The Inclement weather is certainly taking its toll of the winter fixture list having now lost three competitions due to impossible winds. Fortunately the rain has not been a problem and a few brave souls ventured out to contest the fourth round of the Better Ball Trophy.

Bringing up 3^rd place was the pairing of Evan Sutherland and Don Mackay who carded a nett 67. Evan scored on the first 5 holes in an outward 36 and Don scoring a nice birdie at the 13^th took over the scoring to come home in a very good 31.

In the second slot was the youthful combination of Lee Parnell and Steve Efemey. Both shared the scoring and combined well to bring home equal halves of 32 with a final score of nett 64.

The in form players this winter making up a formidable pairing were John O'Brien and Bruce Mackay who scorched home with a wonderful nett 59. The highlight of the front nine of 29 was a tasty little birdie from Bruce at the 3^rd. Not to be outdone John took over the scoring on the back nine of 30 and found a magical touch on the 13^th green to slot home a birdie.

4BBB (3) - 13 November 05
Weather stops this round

• Cancelled.

4BBB (2) - 29 October 05
New pairing win at the weekend

Ian Ross	Bill McIntosh

This format for winter competition at Reay is proving to be very popular and 4BBB (2) was well contested on a beautiful autumnal day with clear skies and no breeze and good scoring expected. Everybody made or broke par except one pair with a 70.

This format is all about the pairs gelling well to produce the better score on a hole so birdies and nett birdies and clever use of handicaps really count. The secret is one of you has to make par or better on each hole. Chris Hobson playing with Mike Browne tickled in a nice long putt on the 13^th for a birdie to get his pairing into contention. The father and son partnership of Billy and David Dunbar made a great birdie two at the tough 7^th where young David was the one who made the birdie having already sunk a birdie at the 6^th for a great outward nine of 29.

The pairing of Lee Parnell and Richard McDonald produced three birdies and worth noting they birdied every par 5 with Richard in the frame at the 6^th and Lee getting the double at the 4^th and the 14^th. Lee had a huge drive at 16 but missed the green to the left and found trouble. The best they could manage between them was a double bogey and that damaged a fine card. The Ulbster Cup partnership of Donald Mowat and David Mackay saw Mojo birdie the 6^th and Snapper birdie the 12^th with not a lot else happening. Murdo MacDonald had a notable birdie two at the 9^th

There was a bit of a battle for third place. George MacDonald made an excellent birdie at the 6^th and was in great form scoring on most of the holes. George playing with Ian Sutherland returned an excellent 61. Claiming third place on 61 with the better back 9 was Bruce Mackay and John O'Brien with John getting a birdie at the 14^th.

First and second also had to be separated by the dreaded count back. The partnership of Andy Mackay and Fred Groves got off to a blistering start covering the front nine in 27 shots. Andy made birdie at the 5^th with a nice two and Fred got down for a birdie at the 3^rd. Fred followed up with another birdie at the 16^th to come back home in 32 for a grand total of 59 a really cracking score.

The last pairing on the course was that of Bill McIntosh and Ian Ross playing together for the first time but both well experienced in better ball play as this is the preferred format in Clubs down south where both previously played. The front nine was covered in 29 shots with Ian Ross scoring nearly exclusively with a tremendous putt on the 7^th for a birdie two. The roles were reversed on the back 9 where Bill did the scoring and they came home in 30 making the winning score of 59 by virtue of the better back 9. The score was nearly blown on the 10^th where neither seemed to want to play and the best they could manage was a double bogey six but clinging on with solid pars, nett birdies was enough to win the round.

4BBB (1) - 16 October 05
Terry & Andy win first 4BBB

Terry Grace	Andy Whitelaw

The first of the four ball better ball competitions also took place recently and this proved to be a very popular event. With players combining in a better ball medal format scoring should be low and we were not disappointed. Regular playing partners Donald Mowat and David Mackay claimed third spot with an excellent score of 63 being 6 under par. Second was claimed by the old sea dogs Chris Hobson and Mike Browne who combined well to make a joint 61. The winners were Terry Grace and Andy Whitelaw with superb shooting to return a card of Nett 60.

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