Ulbster Cup (Lybster) - 02 & 03 September 06
Lybster are glorious on home ground

Davie Nicolson, Lybster captain.

THIS year's Ulbster Cup tournament resulted in a home win for Lybster Golf Club, with Thurso having to settle for the runners-up spot.

The annual Caithness inter-club championship took place over the weekend, with the village course being presented in excellent condition to the cream of the county's golfing gladiators. The competition, played in a round-robin format, saw "A" and "B" teams from each of the four Caithness clubs battle it out over a couple of rounds on the Saturday, with the last round and the final being held on Sunday.

After Saturday's games Thurso "A" had won two matches with a total of six shots up, while one of the two teams from the host club, Lybster "A", had also won two - accumulating a very impressive total of 24 shots in the process - thanks mainly to the superb form of first pairing John Gunn and Alistair Young.

On Sunday Thurso continued their good form, accounting for Lybster "B" to the tune of another six shots. Lybster "A" also added to their total, picking up another five shots after seeing off Thurso "B".

The final in the afternoon seesawed a bit as holes were traded between the two first pairings, with Lybster "A" finally gaining the upper hand on the last hole to come in one up. However, by that time the second pairing for Lybster "A" - team captain David Nicolson and playing partner Eric Larnach - had taken a firm grip on their match to come in four up to seal the home club's victory.

This is the third time running on its own course that Lybster Golf Club has triumphed in the 80-year-old Ulbster Cup. The village club only registered its first-ever victory in this competition in 1980, and has gone on to become a strong contender for honours along with the best from the rest of the county

In the final set of rounds on Sunday morning the golfer's Holy Grail was achieved by Aly Mackay, from Wick, when he holed out in one at the sixth. It was Aly's first-ever hole in one.

Thurso team, left and Lybster, right. Captain, Davie Nicolson proudly holds the trophy for his club.

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