Brothers take medal win down to the wire
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COMPETITIONS were held at Reay on both Saturday and Sunday, and Gregor Munro made it a weekend to remember claiming prizes in both events.
On Saturday players from the home club were competing in the June Medal with prizes up for grabs in two categories. Category one turned into a straight shoot-out between Gregor and his older brother, Ross, who has been enjoying a recent spell of fine form.
Ross looked odds-on to claim a comfortable victory after an excellent outward half of 36, which included a brace of birdies at the sixth and eighth holes. An inward half of 39 was blighted by an ugly double-bogey at the 16th, but was still good enough to produce a fine nett score of 67. However, after an indifferent outward half of 40, Gregor came storming home in 37 to also record a nett score of 67. Countback was required to separate the brothers and Gregor got the nod to take the silverware.
Lee Parnell claimed third spot after a nett 68, with Dougie Thorburn recording the lowest gross score of the day, a 71.
Category two was claimed by James Hawes with the best nett score of the day in the form of an excellent 66. A tidy outward half of 39 was followed by a roller coaster inward half of 41, which included six pars and a couple of sevens. Runner-up on countback was Bill Budding who edged out Liam Bremner after both recorded nett 68s.
On Sunday the course hosted the Reay Gala Open, with players from the home club dominating the prizes.
The scratch winner on countback was current club champion Gavin Sutherland following an excellent gross 72, made up of two halves of 36. A pair of birdies at the sixth and 17th holes provided the highlights of his round.
The runners-up spot was claimed by Thorburn after he also posted a gross score of 72. An outward half of 33, which included a trio of birdies at the fourth, sixth and ninth holes, was followed by an inward half of 39 which included a further birdie at the 12th. Thorburn will be regretting a disappointing triple-bogey six at the final hole which cost him the victory.
Category one winner was Gregor Munro who improved on his score of the previous day with a nett 65. Halves of 36 and 39 for a gross score of 75 were good enough to secure the top prize and a well-deserved handicap reduction.
Wick’s John Hunter took second spot on countback from John O’Brien and Murray McGlasson after all three players recorded scores of nett 68.
Category two was claimed by Robbie Swanson after a fine nett 66. A disappointing outward half of 46 was soon forgotten after a storming inward nine of 41. Two shots back in second place was Ian Sutherland with a nett 68, with Thurso’s Alistair Simpson taking third spot on nett 69.
Round five of the Jacobs Summer Cup was won by Steve Efemey following a splendid nett 65. Leslie Malcolm took second place on nett 68. Currently heading the overall standings is the youngest member of the Munro Clan, Euan, on an aggregate score of 206.
This weekend sees members competing for the Sandside Challenge Trophy on Sunday. A sweep will be held tomorrow for players not competing in the county championships at Thurso.
