Malcolm gets the nod in Reay Men’s Open with good scores at a premium
A field of more than 80 golfers competed in the Reay Men’s Open on Saturday, sponsored by M2 Procurement and Commercial Services. A tricky wind meant good scores were at a premium despite the course being presented in tip-top condition by the greenkeeping staff.
Countback was required to determine the scratch winner after Lee Malcolm and Reay exile Gavin Sutherland finished tied, both having fired excellent rounds of 72. In the final analysis an inward 34, which included birdies at the 14th, 15th and 17th, was good enough for Malcolm to get the nod.
Malcolm also managed a birdie at the sixth during his outward half. Matching halves of 36, which included birdies at the sixth, 13th and 16th, gave Sutherland second after a fine round.
Birdies at the 13th and 14th helped Gregor Munro to an inward half of 34 for a round of 73 and third place.
The overall handicap trophy was won by Andy Mowat after an impressive round of 75 for nett 69. Mowat was also on the birdie trail, with his coming at the second, 13th, 14th and 15th, as he secured the silverware ahead of Thurso players Jim Sangster and Donald Bain on countback.
Sangster had the consolation of scooping the first prize in Division One after a round of 73 which included birdies at the sixth, 15th and 18th.
Bain took second place in Division One after a fine round of 80, made up of halves of 39 and 41, gave him his nett 69. A birdie at the 13th helped Lybster’s David Nicolson take third place with a round of 75 for nett 70.
Division Two was won by David A Craig after a crucial birdie at the 13th helped him to a fine tally of 90 for nett 70.
David Mackay recovered well from a slow start to take second place with a round of 87 for nett 71, while a solid performance from Adam Gunn saw him take third place on countback as his round of 91 also gave him a nett score of 71.
There was some spectacular scoring in the ladies’ Stuart Rosebowl competition, with Michelle Smith taking the win following a fabulous round of 95 for nett 58. A birdie at the first set the tone for an unforgettable performance which will see her earn a well-deserved handicap reduction.
Solid halves of 39 and 41 saw club captain Carol Paterson finish second after a round of 80 for nett 68.
The in-form Eleanor Tunn fired birdies at the second, 13th, 14th and 16th on her way to an excellent round of 70 for nett 69 and third.
A birdie at the first helped Alison Ross to fourth place on nett 70, while there was a birdie at the fourth for Rebecca Munro in her round of 82 for nett 71 and fifth place.
Round three of the men’s Strokeplay Championship was won by Leslie Malcolm after a birdie at the 17th helped him to an impressive round of 79 for nett 65.
Arthur Paton took second on nett 68, ahead of Gavin Gunn, Cammie Ross, Lee Parnell and John Nicolson, who all finished on nett 69. Parnell had the distinction of firing the best gross score of the day as a birdie at the 12th helped him to a round of 73.
In the latest North Point Distillery Senior Stableford action, Kenny Farmer Jnr and David R Craig topped the standings on 35 points, ahead of Jack Johnstone, Graeme Dunnett and Willie Williamson who all finished on 34.
This Saturday will see the Reay Ladies’ Open which is once again sponsored by the Bighouse Estate.