Senior Tournaments - Season 2007-2008

Seniors Open - 29 July 07
Bill holds on after bad 9 at 17th

Bill McIntosh

Conditions were certainly testing for the Reay Senior Open with a very stiff breeze blowing in from the West with intermittent patches of rain. Nevertheless there was a good entry with players from as far as Preston making the trip. There were only eight birdies from the field and the second claimed its spot as the hardest par alongside the fourth making it a very tough start for the old lads. As usual the 5^th was playing the easiest downwind but not surrendering any birdies. The CSS was at 72 which showed how tough conditions were and the competition was a non counter for handicap purposes.

Liam Ross of Durness made a birdie at the 12^th hole but fell away badly in the home stretch which was very difficult with a nasty cross wind. Donald Jack of Thurso made two birdies at the 3^rd and the notorious 17^th in a great effort. Sandy Chisholm made birdie at the 8^th but also struggled on the back nine. Club captain Ian Ross was have an interesting afternoon running up some big numbers but made a fine birdie at the 13^th. Don C.Mackay of Royal Dornoch had a great birdie two at the 15^th but he does have inside knowledge of the course.

Jock Eunson 86-11-75 made it into third spot in Division One battling to keep the big numbers of the card. Three players tied for first on nett 74. After the countback Grant Maxwell was third with 81-7-74 but his scratch score of 81 was the best of the day so Grant picked up his fourth trophy of the season winning the Culaine Rose Bowl for the best scratch score. Second was Ian Manson of Thurso GC 86-12-74 with a steady round in the difficult conditions. Bill Budding came out top with 85-11-74 to be the best in the Division.

In Division two scoring was a bit clearer. George Prince was delighted to make a birdie at the 15^th and whilst his two smartened up his card his 93-13-80 only gave him third place. Grant Coghill 91-13-78 slipped into second spot. Peter McCartney 89-13-76 had the lowest gross in Division two and made a birdie at the 10^th. The overall winner of the Reay Senior Open was Bill McIntosh with 92-19-73 and despite a horrendous 9 at the 17^th picks up the Ian Ritchie Trophy as Senior Open Champion for 2007.

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