Reay Golf Club: Devastating back nine proves decisive for Malcolm
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Saturday saw Reay hosting its first "major" of the season in the shape of the Ronnie Wallace Open sponsored by Norbloc. A field of more than 70 players from all corners of the county and beyond gathered on the links vying for a fine array of prizes provided by the sponsors.
Despite the cold and overcast conditions, scoring was low, thanks partly to a course presented in fine condition by greenkeeper Jason Norwood and his band of volunteers.
The overall winner was local player Lee Malcolm, who pipped Bryan Suttar of Thurso to top spot after both posted excellent scores of nett 65. A devastating back nine proved decisive for Malcolm, who, after reaching the turn in 42, came home in 33 blows with a hat-trick of birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th, helping him to a round of 75.
Suttar had an excellent round of 73 made up of halves of 36 and 37 to take second place, with a birdie at the tough second hole providing the highlight. Gavin Gunn fired a fine round of 75 for nett 66 and third place, with birdies at the sixth and 15th helping him to halves of 37 and 38.
Alex Anderson also managed a pair of birdies, at the fourth and 17th holes, on his way to a round of 79 for nett 67 and fourth. David A Craig had to settle for fifth after a steady round of 91 also gave him a nett 67.
In the scratch competition, Gregor Munro maintained his excellent early-season form to win after a fantastic round of 69, with a trio of birdies at the 13th, 14th and 16th helping him to halves of 36 and 33.
Tom Ross had to settle for second place after a fine round of 71 which included birdies at the 11th and 13th holes.
Lee Malcolm also secured the nearest-the-pin prize after an excellent tee shot at the final hole which had the clubhouse in raptures.
In the latest North Point Senior Stableford competition, Fred Groves found his groove to win on a fine score of 38 points following a round of 82 which included a birdie at the 15th. Jack Johnstone took the runner-up spot on countback after he also posted 38 points, following a round of 95.
Sandy Chisholm, Murdo Macdonald and Stuart Greig were next best after all carding scores of 36.
In the first round of the ladies' summer Stableford, Pam Bain produced a blitz of birdies at the fourth, 13th and 15th on her way to an impressive score of 38 points and the win. Jacqui Greig was also on the birdie trail, with hers coming at the 11th as she posted 36 points for second place.
A couple of the newer lady members who have been showing great promise in competitive action, Michelle Smith and Heather Campbell, were next best after both finished on 34 points, with Smith throwing in a fine birdie at the ninth hole for good measure.
Alison Ross maintained her solid start to the season to finish in fifth on 33 points.
This weekend sees the gents competing in round one of the Dunnett Cup, which is also a club championship qualifier, and Tuesday sees the start of the gents' summer cup sponsored by Abbott Risk Consulting. The ladies have their May Medal to look forward to next week.
