McAllan lifts medal by two strokes
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WINTER competitions resumed at Wick last Sunday with a Winter Medal.
There was a low entry as many members would have thought the course was closed but, following a quick thaw, it was playable and in fine condition for the time of year.
With just a slight south-westerly breeze there were a number of low scores with four players returning nett 69 or better.
Leading the way was Michael McAllan (11) with a scintillating nett 63 to win the competition by two strokes from Stewart Busby (17). McAllan got off to a great start with a birdie at the first and, although he played well to go out in 38, he would have been disappointed to run up a double bogey at the ninth.
He started back with a par at the 10th but again suffered a double bogey at the 11th. He then, however, played some exceptional golf to come back in 36 which included a birdie at the 16th.
Busby, after a birdie at the eighth, stood on the ninth tee only two over par – well below his handicap – but had a double bogey at the ninth where he three putted.
Another double bogey followed at the 10th but he steadied the ship to come back in 43. On another day his score would have been good enough to win.
Veteran Ian Miller (20) was third with a nett 68 and found the greens to his liking, single-putting quite a few of them. Miller went out in 41, a terrific effort, but had the misfortune to run up a quadruple bogey at the 13th where he lost a ball.
However, he enjoyed the shot of the day at the 14th where his tee shot finished only six feet from the hole and he then sank the putt for a superb birdie.
Unfortunately, he double bogeyed the 15th and came back in 47.
Ian Thomson (5) was fourth with a nett 69. Going out in 39, he started back with two bogeys but played fine golf to cover the last seven holes in one under par finishing in style with a birdie at the 18th to come back in one-over-par 35.
Another veteran, Tony Wilson (11), was next with a nett 70, playing solid golf going out in 40 and back in 41. Another score worthy of note came from Sanders Harper (23) with a nett 72.
The next competition is a Stableford which is due to be played on Sunday followed by the Boxing Day Stableford and bottle draw on Monday, December 26.
