Munro’s might returns for medal win
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AFTER nearly two years in the golfing wilderness with no prizes to his name, Reay’s Colin Munro came roaring back to life to win category one of the June Medal over the club’s sun-soaked links on Saturday.
He signalled his intentions early with a birdie at the tough first hole and he maintained this early momentum with another birdie at the fourth following a splendid pitch-in. Reaching the turn in 37, Munro continued to play steady golf until the 15th where a disastrous out-of-bounds approach shot led to an ugly seven.
However, he steadied himself to birdie the 15th and 17th holes to come home in 38 for a nett 66.
Losing out on countback after also scoring nett 66 was the in-form Ian Ross. Ross has been at the top of the leaderboard on a number of occasions recently and he compiled another very steady round with halves of 38 and 39.
Taking the final place on the category one podium was John O’Brien with a nett 67. O’Brien’s round was one of very contrasting halves after a disappointing outward 40 was soon forgotten with an inward half of 33 which included birdies at the 12th, 13th and 16th holes.
In category two Willie Williamson also made a welcome return to the winners’ enclosure with a nett 68 following a solid round. His inward nine was marginally better than Willie Allan who finished in second place on countback following his own nett 68. The evergreen Keith Buxton took third place with a fine round of nett 70.
On Sunday Reay hosted the inaugural Gleeds Walk On Open. Top of the class following a fabulous nett 65 was Thurso player David Dunbar.
Dunbar produced halves of 34 and 36 with a solitary birdie coming at the par-four eighth hole. His nett 65 was good enough to pip Ian Ritchie to second place on nett 66, with Grant Maxwell a further shot back.
Category two was won by Gregor Munro following another spectacular round of nett 63. His handicap has come tumbling down in recent weeks, and he has secured another cut following his victory.
Four shots back in second and third places were Willie Allan and Ian Sutherland respectively.
This weekend Reay hosts the Caithness County Championship, normal service will be resumed the following weekend with the return of the Parry Trophy and Hall of Fame competitions.
Recent results from the ladies’ section – April Medal winner: Morag Mackay, 101 (32) 69. Runner-up: Pam Bain, 83 (13) 70. Three-club competition winner: Karen Campbell, 114 (36) 78. Runner-up: Carole Cameron, 92 (14) 78.
MacKenzie Cup winner: Morag Mackay, 37 points. Runner-up: Alison Ross, 31 points.
May Medal winner: Patricia McDonald, 85 (15) 70. Runner-up: Susan Hawes, 96 (22) 74.
Coronation Foursomes winners: K. Campbell and C. Cameron. Runner-up: Pat Owen and S. Hawes.
First-round club championship qualifier winner P. Bain, 81 (13) 68. Runner-up: P. McDonald, 91 (16) 75. Quinlan Spring Trophy winner: C. Cameron, 85 (14) 71. Runner-up: P. Bain, 85 (12) 73.
June Medal
Meanwhile, tomorrow Reay hosts the SGU North District County Championship.
Late entries will be accepted until 7pm today. Anyone wishing to enter should contact Colin Munro on 07816 766 789.
Tee times – 9am and 1.30pm: Player one, Glyn Reid (Wick), player two, James Hawes (Reay); player three, W. McLean (W).
9.10am and 1.40pm: P1, Tom Ross (R); P2, Stanley Ross (Thurso); P3, Gregor Munro (R).
9.20am and 1.50pm: P1, Ross Munro (R); P2, Colin Munro (R); P3, S. Place (W).
9.40am and 2.10pm: P1, Evan Sutherland (R); P2, Murray McGlasson (R); P3, Steve Spargo (T).
9.50am and 2.20pm: P1, J. Hunter (W); P2, Aly Mackay (W); P3, Lee Parnell (R).
10am and 2.30pm: P1, Gavin Sutherland (R); P2, Don A. Mackay (R); P3, Nicky Climas (W).
