McDonald secures trophy honours at Reay
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SATURDAY saw the final round of the Winter Eclectic played over a Reay course which is in fine condition at this early stage in the year.
Sealing victory in the overall standings was Richard McDonald, who crucially managed to improve his eclectic score by a single shot courtesy of a fine birdie at the 16th hole. His aggregate score of 60 was enough to secure the Jean Mackay Trophy by the finest of margins from Lee Parnell who finished on a tally of 60.5.
Murray Mcglasson took third spot on 61, with Ian Ritchie fourth and Sandy Chisholm fifth in the final standings.
Lowest score on the day was recorded by club president Fred Groves who has been enjoying some fine form of late. His round of nett 65 was particularly impressive given the strongly gusting wind which has been affecting the course over the past few weekends. A steady outward half of 37 was followed by an excellent inward half of 35, which included birdies at the 14th and 16th holes, giving him a lowest-of-the-day gross score of 72.
Taking second place following a nett 68 was John O’Brien who has shown some steady form over the winter months. An unspectacular front nine was brought to life following a fine birdie two at the ninth hole giving him an outward half of 39. His second nine was the epitome of consistency with eight pars and a solitary birdie giving him a score of 36 for a gross total of 75.
Third place went to another player who has enjoyed the winter season so far, Cammie Ross, who carded another fine round of nett 70. Ross did his best work during a front nine of 38 which included a rare birdie two at the tough seventh hole. An inward half of 41 gave him a very respectable gross score of 79.
The previous Sunday Reay hosted its Early Spring Scramble competition which was won by a team comprising Parnell, Mcglasson and Steve Efemey. The trio are gaining something of a reputation as specialists in this format of the game and their nett score 55.8 was good enough to secure a comfortable victory over Kenny Farmer, Alex Mackay and Ian A. Mackay who took second on 58.
The winners narrowly missed out on posting a gross score of 59 as all three missed a birdie putt from inside five feet on the final green.
This weekend sees the final action of the winter season, with rounds 11 and 12 of the Winter League Stableford scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday. The following weekend marks the start of the summer season which will be kicked off by the traditional captain versus vice-captain’s match.
