Mens Tournaments - Season 2010-2011

Reay Open (36) - 26 June 10

Winner - Gavin Sutherland

With nothing more than a gentle zephyr slipping gently from the south across the Reay links and the sun overlooking proceedings, all seemed set fair for some great scoring in the 2010 Reay Open, kindly sponsored by the Dounreay Community Fund.

Praise first for the greenstaff, whose tireless work had gotten the course in fine shape after an evil winter and slow start to the summer.

It was a real surprise, then, that the scoring in general was on the average side; maybe the pressure that accompanies the year's first major was weighing heavy on the golfing fraternity as a whole.

In round one the lowest gross score of 72 was posted by multiple past champion Graeme Dunnett. Graeme's nearest rival was Gavin Sutherland; a full 3 shots back on 75, with Wayne Mowat a further shot back on 76.

The scoring in the second round was no bonnier.

Graeme Dunnett struggled to maintain his round one form and slipped to a gross 78 giving a total of 150 for the rest of the field to take pot shots at.

Lowest gross in the second round was shared by Lee Parnell, whose 1st round shocker ruled him out of any thoughts of glory and Gavin Sutherland; Graeme's closest rival. The score, a gross 74, including three birdies at 9, 10 and 13, gave two time defending champion Gavin Sutherland a Reay Open Trophy winning score of 149.

In the race for the Hebden Cup, awarded for the lowest two round net total, it was the category 2 players who showed early.

Steve MacKay, Colin Munro and Tim Hawes all posted net 68s in round one. Youngster Ewan Crawford was one shot back on a handicap equalling net 69. And not-so-youngster Jock Eunson was a further shot back on net 70.

Winners and players from the tournament.

In category 1 a net 70 was the best anyone could muster; that honour going to Wayne Mowat. Best of the rest in category one were Grant Maxwell and Colin Paterson who posted net 71s.

In round two the lowest net score was again 68: Ewan Crawford; Jock Eunson; Pete McCartney and Grant Maxwell sharing this sub-par return. And improving his first round score by one shot was enough to give Ewan Crawford a two round total of 137 and the Hebden Cup.

Consolation prizes for Grant Maxwell whose 139 took the category one spoils and Jock Eunson whose 138 won category two.

Nearest the pin at the 18th went to John O'Brien; that close he had to measure the distance in millimetres; that close he missed his birdie put!

This weekend Reay holds the Reay Ladies Open on Saturday with the Captain's Charity on Sunday; all donations warmly welcomed.

Results:-

• Scratch:
  1. Gavin Sutherland (149);
  2. Graeme Dunnett (150)
• Handicap:
  1. Ewan Crawford (137)
• Category 1:
  1. Grant Maxwell (139);
  2. Lee Parnell (144);
  3. John O'Brien (144)
• Category 2:
  1. Jock Eunson (138);
  2. Colin Munro (141);
  3. Steven Fidler (143)

End-of-Document