Reay Golf Club: Red-hot outward half sets up Munro for scratch win
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Saturday saw Reay hosting its annual Ladies' Open, sponsored by Bighouse Melvich. An excellent entry of players from across the county and beyond included three who travelled across the firth from Stromness Golf Club, with some fine prizes on offer.
The sunny weather and a firm and fast course provided the platform for some low scoring, with Rebecca Munro of the home club taking the scratch trophy after a spectacular round of 78. Munro laid the foundations for her win after a red-hot outward half of 35 which included birdies at the second and fourth holes, and she covered the back nine in 43 to take the trophy by a three-shot margin.
Wick’s Dee Macangus had to settle for second place despite a spectacular eagle two at the 13th hole which helped her to a round of 81.
In the handicap competition it was another Reay member, Heather Campbell, who took first place after a fine nett 67. Campbell, one of the cohort of players who took up golf during the pandemic, produced a steady front nine and she knuckled down after a couple of scares on the back nine to seal the win.
Carole Cameron pipped Pauline Craig to second place on countback after both posted matching rounds of 92 for nett 69. Thurso’s Jean Clasper finished in fourth after a round of 91 for nett 70, with Rosalind McQuaker sealing fifth place on countback after she finished on nett 71.
The Nuvia June Medal was won by one of the club's many up-and-coming youngsters, Dylan Mackenzie, who fired a very impressive round of 79 for nett 63, with halves of 37 and 42, including a birdie at the ninth hole.
Pete McCartney produced solid halves of 42 and 40 for a round of 82 and nett 66 to take second place on countback ahead of Andrew Taylor, who birdied the 14th, and Fred Groves after they also finished on nett 66.
There were no fewer than six players tied on nett 68, reflecting another day of low scoring on the course.
In the latest North Point Distillery Senior Stableford action, Fred Groves maintained his recent run of good form to post a fine round of 81 for 38 points and the win.
Despite one non-counting hole John Brock took second place on 37, with a trio of players – David R Craig, Willie Steven and Jack Johnstone – next best on 36, with Johnstone throwing in a birdie at the fifth hole for good measure.
Pete Barker won the nearest-the-pin prize from the sponsors after his tee shot at the 18th finished inches from the hole.
Jane Mackenzie prevailed to win the ladies' Hamilton Trophy with a splendid nett 64, with an excellent run over the final four holes proving key to victory. After a good start, Nicola Campbell survived a wobble over the sixth, seventh and eighth holes to come roaring home for a nett 66 and second place.
Pam Bain birdied the fourth and 13th holes on her way to a round of 80 for nett 69, a score matched by Heather Campbell after a solid front nine set the foundation for her score.
Round two of the gents' strokeplay championship was another day of low scoring with Sandy Chisholm and Lee Parnell leading the way. Both players posted rounds of nett 65, with Chisholm helped by a hat-trick of birdies at the fifth, 10th and 15th on his way to a round of 81.
Birdie-machine Parnell went one better with birdies at the fourth, sixth, 14th and 16th holes during his round of 71. Pete Barker and Alistair Gunn were next best on nett 67, with Gunn posting a birdie at the 13th in his round.
Michael Smith pipped Parnell on countback to claim the lowest gross score after his 71 which included birdies at the seventh and 14th holes.
In the overall standings after two counting rounds Sandy Chisholm leads the way in the handicap competition on 132, ahead of Alistair Gunn on 134 and Leslie Malcolm on 136. In the scratch competition Gregor Munro leads on 136 ahead of Brent Munro on 141 and Michael Smith on 144.
This Saturday the Reay ladies will be competing in round five of their summer Stableford competition, while the gents will be vying for glory in the Banks Medal.
