Parnell stuns field with double victory
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THE weekend saw Reay Golf Club host two events, but there was only one winner as vice-captain Lee Parnell produced some stunning golf to claim victory on both days.
On Saturday players were met with a tricky breeze and some squally showers as they contested the Pilkington Cup.
Parnell got his weekend off to a flying start with birdies at the par-four second and eighth holes helping him reach the turn in 35 strokes. A poor start to the back nine was soon forgotten with further birdies at the 12th and 14th holes. He saved his fifth and final birdie of the round for the last hole, draining an outrageous putt for his two. Parnell’s back nine of 35 was good enough to secure a nett 65 which beat his nearest challenger, Leslie Malcolm, by a convincing three-stroke margin.
Malcolm has made a welcome return to Reay this season and he has made steady progress throughout the year with some good scores. He produced two halves of 43, with a birdie three at the eighth hole the highlight of his round.
Matching him on nett 68 was club captain Murray McGlasson after a fine round of 76 which included birdies at the sixth and 13th holes. A fine front nine of 36 had him dreaming of glory, but a disappointing back nine cost him dearly.
On Sunday Parnell managed to go two strokes better, scoring a magnificent gross 68 to win the McRobert Thistle Open. He got his round going with a rare eagle two at the par-four third.
Some deft chipping and putting helped him reach the turn in 34 strokes and Parnell continued to play some fine golf on the back nine. Eight pars and a birdie at the 13th were good enough for an inward half of 34 to secure victory by a single shot and a handicap reduction to four.
Taking second place following a nett 64 was Grant Maxwell. A birdie at the fifth helped him reach the turn in 34, and he continued to play some fine golf with a run of seven pars from the 10th.
An unfortunate bogey, double-bogey finish spoiled the round somewhat and proved to be very costly in the final analysis. In third place following a welcome return to form was Cammie Ross. He produced a fine round of 75 for a nett 66, with birdies at the sixth, ninth and 14th holes the highlights.
This weekend the club is offering players an added rugby experience – for the Scotland versus England Rugby World Cup game will be screened in the clubhouse from 7.30am.
Following the match players will compete in a 10-hole Stableford over a modified version of the course.
? For further details of this event and the upcoming winter fixtures see www.reaygolfclub.co.uk
