Mens Tournaments - Season 2008-2009

Captain's Charity - 14 September 08
Ian pinches it by a couple

Saturday saw the playing of the Captain's Charity Competition at Reay; an annual club competition in aide of local charities. This year's beneficiaries of entry fees and various fines for heinous crimes such as finding bunkers and tweaking balls off the paddock was the RNLI. And judging by the returns, one or two individuals certainly did their bit for charity (but I'm sure they don't like to talk about it!)

Despite a number of Reay's lower handicappers being involved in the Ulbster Cup and yet another inclement day there was a healthy turn out.

Fittingly Reay Golf Club's Captain, Ian Ross, was right in the mix for the second week running. An excellent front nine saw the skipper to the turn in just 38 blows, but the thought of presenting himself with another trophy at the dinner dance began to weigh heavy on his mind and a couple of ugly crooked sticks (7s) on the back nine meant he missed out on a podium finish with 83 (71).

Just easing Ian out of the places was fellow dozen-handicapper Peter McCartney. An altogether steadier round of golf saw Peter post halves of 41 and 42 for the same (83) 71.

Taking the runner-up spot this week was Dav MacKay. Despite getting off to a shaky start which did little but improve his playing partner's proficiency at the five times table, Dav fought back with one of the day's few birdies; a cheeky wee 2 at the fifth. This certainly righted the good ship MacKay as he went on to shoot a brace of 39s for an excellent return of 78, (the day's lowest gross score), net 70.

The only player to break net par on this most tempestuous of days was Ian Sutherland. Again, steadiness was the key to success in the wild wind. Ian, like many on the day, really struggled to get going over the devilishly difficult first few holes. But unlike many on the day, Ian refused to get disheartened and fought back with a string of pars and net pars to take the honours with an 87 net 68.

Despite disappointing the crowds by not posting any aces this weekend, Evan Sutherland's tee shot at the 18th was enough to beat the field to the nearest the pin prize.

End-of-Document