Young Ross triumphs in the teeth of the wind

The March Medal was claimed by youngster Ross Munro following a fine nett 69 in difficult conditions. Munro is keen to study dentistry at university next year and he drilled several excellent shots into the teeth of the south-westerly wind during the course of his round.

If he can take his early form in to the summer season, then further reductions to his handicap of seven will undoubtedly follow.

Taking second place on nett 70 was Donald Mowat, ahead of a clutch of players on 71.

The March Medal also marked the end of the battle for the Donald Carmichael Trophy, awarded to the four best nett scores from the six winter monthly medals. In the end it was Cammie Ross who prevailed by the narrowest of margins with an aggregate score of 273.

Ian Ritchie also managed to record a score of 273, but was pipped to the post by virtue of Ross having the lowest contributing score, a nett 63 in the November Medal, compared to Ritchie’s lowest score of 64.

Steve Efemey finished in third place on 275.

The race for Winter League Stableford glory has also been heating up, with round nine claimed by Evan Sutherland, and Murdo Macdonald emerging victorious in round 10.

Sutherland has been instrumental in coaching a promising crop of young players at the club, but he has obviously still had time to work on his own game after scoring a fantastic 42 points. He produced two blistering halves of 35 and 36 with four birdies – at the sixth, ninth, 12th and 13th holes – on his way to a round of gross 71, which will not have escaped the handicap secretary’s eye.

Sutherland won by three points from another youngster, Ian A. Mackay, who has shown some fine form of late.

Macdonald’s winning score of 33 points in round 10 came in some particularly trying conditions, with most players struggling to come to terms with the strongly gusting wind.

A solitary birdie at the sixth hole was the highlight of a round which comprised halves of 42 and 43.

Also on 33 points, taking second spot on countback, was Andy Bain, with Lee Parnell third on 32.

In the overall Winter League standings, Leslie Malcolm still retains first place, but Ian A. Mackay and Ian Ritchie will still fancy their chances of catching the leader if they can post a couple of good scores in the final two rounds.

This weekend sees the final round of the Winter Eclectic at Reay, with players looking to catch Richard McDonald who has held the lead since round one.