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    Mens Tournaments - Season 2007-2008
Safari Open (36) - Teams of 4 -
18 August 07
The course was beautifully presented and it great condition despite constant rain which did not affect the course or the greens which were putting superbly as there was a grand total of 47 birdies despite unpleasant playing conditions and a freshening wind. The CSS for the morning round was 70 and 72 by the afternoon as the wind and rain continued. In the morning there were 29 birdies and the hardest par was the 6th hole with the easiest par the 15th. By the afternoon this had changed to the 14th as the hardest hole but the 15th remained the easiest par and only 18 birdies but not a surprise as many players surrendered in the rain and didn't complete their second round. Those that no returned put pressure on their teams and 6 teams had a nil return as there were not enough scores for their team. Scoring was high in the afternoon but finishing and getting a score in for the team was vital. In the morning Gavin Sutherland 73-6-67 got his team 'Gunning for it' off to a great start with birdies at the 12th and 17th as did Colin Paterson 72-5-67 for the 'A team' and the best scratch score of 72. David Dunbar put in another polished performance of 73-5-68 for the 'Castle Toon Army' and Grant Maxwell 75-7-68 set up the day for 'Max's Fly Boys'. Andy Swan of Thurso 86-17-69 put 'Cask' in the frame with a very neat card. The honours for the morning with a fantastic round went to Alex Mackay 85-19-66 really setting the pace and putting the Castle Toon Army into a wonderful aggregate score of 208 and a very handsome led over the field.
Mumpy's Mob of Cammie Ross, Donald Mowat, David Mackay and Davie Swanson were also setting a good early pace with an aggregate of 219 for the team. The 'Irish Rovers' were in contention thanks to birdies at the 9th and 14th from Neil MacDonald giving a team total of 221. The 'Spargonauts' from Thurso also put in a workman like performance for 223 as Steve Spargo, Gavin Souter, Sandy Stewart and Donald Sutherland all scored reasonably well. Brent Munro of Thurso GC had birdies at the 6th and 15th playing with three Reay members in the Gunning for it team who were defending the trophy and with an aggregate of 211 they were well on track for back to back victories. The much fancied 'Furry Boots E Baw' shot 224 but were still in the hunt and always dangerous being past winners. Lee Parnell, Steve Efemey, Richard McGlasson and power house Murray McGlasson are specialists in team games and this format is their forte. The 'A team' again past winners with Don Mackay having a great time on the greens shooting three birdies at the 8th,12th and 14th for 73-1-72 were right in the mix with 212 as Don Mackay Senior now playing out of Royal Dornoch made 818-73 to put them in a very strong position. The 'Skippers Select' were also looking good as Alec Anderson threw in three birdies at the 2nd, 4th and 16th to set up a 220 aggregate for Ian Ross, Pete McCartney and Hugh Miller. The 'Out West Outlaws' were also looking good on 221 with Ian Ritchie producing their best round of 81-9-72.
It was all set up for a thrilling afternoon if somewhat daunting as the rain was heavier and the wind freshening. This was now the time to stick in and get a score for the team as any score would do no matter how unpleasant the conditions. The Castle Toon Army were unable to repeat their early heroics and scored too heavily in the afternoon blowing a fantastic first round and so back to the drawing board to plan for next year. Hugh Millar and Alec Anderson both no returned so the Skippers Select was buried with no score and Ian Ross will be looking for a team with more staying power next year. Don Mackay tossed the card in for his team which only had three players and even if he had returned a nett 81 they would have had the winning score. Don Mackay Senior shot a superb 77-9-69 and Colin Paterson 76-5-71 to give the team pole position. As the wise old sages said any score will do apart from a nil return. Taking 5th place was the team of Max's Fly Boys. Grant Maxwell, 76-7-69 with the best individual performance of the day and birdies at the 9th and 14th, Andy Bain, Robbie Swanson and Martin MacDonald of Wick GC contributed to the final aggregate of 451. It was not to be for Furry Boots as they were wearing lead boots but they held on for fourth place and a total of 450 with Lee Parnell the star performer. Mumpy's Mob stuck to the task and secured third place with 449 with everybody putting in a steady performance. The Spargonauts from Thurso went about the task quietly with Steven Spargo claiming the best gross of 73 in the afternoon and a wee birdie at the 10th, Gavin Souter 84-13-71 did his bit and Sandy Stewart 85-7-78 with Donald Sutherland 88-10-78 stuck in there for a great second round of 217 to be the runners up with 440. Just getting four scores in made the difference and prizes.
The Defending Champions 'Gunning for it' did it again with a very gritty team performance going out in the afternoon knowing conditions were tough but knowing there had to be four returns. Gavin Gunn nearly blew it as he did no return putting pressure on the rest of the team. Alistair Gunn never gives up and shot 81-7-74, Gavin Sutherland 79-6-73 stuck to the task and Brent Munro 79-3-76 brought in the third score for an aggregate 223 and a grand total of 434 to win the trophy by 6 shots to be the 2007 Reay Safari Champions. Back to back wins and now looking for a hat trick next year. John Baggs of ARC Consultants the Sponsors for the day presented the prizes in the evening and is looking forward to being back next year. End-of-Document |
