Gowens finds form for stunning nett score
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THERE was a plethora of low scores in the sixth round of the Winter Medal played at Wick last Sunday, with 20 of the 38 competitors returning nett 71s or better.
Early starters had the best of the conditions as the south-westerly breeze increased as the day wore on.
Winner by an impressive six strokes was veteran Keith Gowens (12) with a stunning nett 62. There have been signs in recent competitions that Gowens was finding his form. He produced one of the best rounds of the winter season, playing magnificent golf to cover the front nine in 37 strokes, two over par, which included a birdie at the second, and the back nine in 37 strokes, three over par, with another birdie at the 14th hole.
Another veteran, Harry Cormack (20), was second with a nett 68 by virtue of a better inward half over Ian Coghill (7), John Hunter (4) and Willie Wydmuch (23).
Cormack demonstrated that he is back to his consistent best, going out in 45 and back in 43 which was an excellent effort against the wind.
Third was Ian Coghill who went to the turn in 38 and played fine golf to come back in 37. John Hunter has been in terrific form and continued this great run to claim fourth, going out in one-over-par 36 and back in two-over-par 36, which included a birdie at the 11th hole.
Next was Willie Wydmuch who played well below his handicap to go out in 44 and, after a birdie at the 15th hole, had a great chance to take second spot, but a triple bogey at the 16th followed by a double bogey at the 17th put paid to his chances.
Other good scores came from Simon Place (9), Gibby Banks (14), Gordon Steven (19), Michael McAllan (10), Peter Taylor (11) and vice-captain Rob Sutherland (14), all with nett 69s.
With only two rounds to go in both the Winter Medal and Stableford competitions, mister consistent Ian Thomson (5) leads the way for the overall winner of both competitions, which goes to the player having the best four-score total.
Leading Winter Medal scores are Thomson with 278, Keith Gowens (12) with 281 and Sanders Harper (21) with 284. Thomson leads the way in the Winter Stableford with a total of 142 points followed by Rob Sutherland (14) and George MacKay (26) both with 141 points and Mike Morrice (13) and David Walker (18) with 139 points.
The next competition is the seventh Winter Stableford which is due to be played on Sunday.
