Mens Tournaments - Season 2010-2011

Thurso Open - 14 August 10

The Thurso Open, sponsored by the Central Hotel, was played last Saturday and for the many golfers with aspirations of glory it must have been a surprise to awake to such kindly weather.

This was not reflected in the scoring however as players struggled to control the ball due to the soft fairways and fast greens, the home players appearing to adapt to the conditions quicker.

After round one was completed both sections of the competition was very much up for grabs. In the handicap section the early leaders were Stephen Bremner, Stephen King and Hamish Boyd on Nett 67 closely followed by Peter Sangster, Alan Swanson and Angus Cameron on Nett 68. Dav Mackay (Reay) and Steve Foulkes (Stromness) made the first showing for the visitors, also on Nett 68. With a further 22 players within 5 shots of the lead there was still plenty of golf to be played in the second round.

Thurso Open winner Dougie Thorburn (left) and handicap winner Frazer Sparling (right) receive their trophies from Brian Cardosi, representing the sponsors Central Hotel, while other prizewinners look on.

In the gross section defending champion and co-favourite Steven Rendall (Kirkwall) was well placed after 16 holes but unfortunately ran into trouble on the 17th and despite hitting straight back with a birdie on the 18th had to settle for a 75.

This left the way clear for the local 'Wilson Cup contingent' to fight it out amongst themselves for the halfway lead.

Jim Sangster posted 73 whilst his son Peter bettered him by one with 72, Peter having recovered in style from a triple bogey on the 6th.

Alan Swanson finished birdie, birdie to post 70, the same score as Bryan Ronald who had started par, birdie, birdie before losing a ball on the 7th.

Making up the trio of first round leaders was local favourite Dougie Thorburn who, following a slow start in getting to the turn in 38 came home in 32 shots.

As the wind appeared to change somewhat for the second round so too did the fortunes of the early leaders in the handicap section as most of their challenges were blown away.

Steve Foulkes struck first to post nett 72 giving him an overall total of 140. This was soon matched by Steve Grogan (71,69) and Harvey Cowe (70,70).

Despite having had a disappointing first round Neil Jackson recovered well to post the first of what would be the best score of the second round with a Nett 67. Malcolm Morrison also scored nett 67 for a 140 total and led the pack by virtue of his best second round score.

Graeme Henderson continued his recent Summer League form by repeating his morning score of nett 69 to briefly hold the clubhouse lead on 138 before Steven Fidler returned a nett 67 for a 137 total. As the story of his missed two-foot putt on the last circulated the clubhouse there was a dramatic twist as Frazer Sparling also posted a nett 67 for an identical (70,67) 137 total.

With only a few contenders left on the course the mathematicians got to work and Frazer was holding the lead following a countback of the last six holes.

Peter Sangster threatened briefly before finishing on Nett 70 for 138.

Bryan Ronald had double reason to regret losing a ball on the 3rd hole as not only did it affect his challenge in the gross section but also it left him on the winning total of 137 (69,68) but with the poorest second round score of the trio.

It was therefore a delighted Fraser Sparling who emerged triumphant in winning the handicap trophy.

In the gross competition there was no surprise contenders emerging from the chasing pack so it was all down to the final groups.

Alan Swanson's challenge had faded on the front nine as he struggled to the turn in 40 shots but recovered his composure (courtesy of Magner's) to come home in level par for a 74 and a two round total of 144.

Jim Sangster had a very steady round with two birdies and two bogies in a 69 giving him a two round total of 142.

As stated previously Bryan Ronald's lost ball at the 3rd did not help his cause although birdies at the 6th, 7th & 8th kept him in contention as he finished with a level par 69 for a two round total of 139.

Dougie Thorburn made his intentions clear early in his second round by having birdies at the 4th, 5th & 7th and with no dropped shots was out in 32, this coupled with an even par run for home left Dougie with an impressive 66 for a two round total of 136 and a worthy winner of the 2010 Thurso Open.

During their trophy acceptance speeches both players paid tribute to the organisers, the sponsors, the bar and catering staff and, Frazer in particular, was very complimentary to the greens-staff and the condition of the course.

• Overall Scratch:-
  1. D Thorburn - 136
  2. B Ronald - 139
• Overall Handicap:-
  1. F Sparling - 137
  2. S Fidler
• Handicap:-
  • Category 1 -
    1. P Sangster - 138
    2. M Morrison - 140
    3. J Sangster - 140
    4. H Cowe - 140
  • Category 2 -
    1. G Henderson - 138
    2. S Grogan - 140
    3. S Foulkes - 140
    4. J Morrison - 141

End-of-Document