Sangster returns to old stomping ground with Thurso Open win
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Conditions were tricky on Saturday for the 36-hole Thurso Open competition sponsored by John Gunn and Sons Ltd. However, the course was in magnificent condition which is a testament to all the hard work put in by the greens staff and volunteers.
The field of 97 was made up of golfers from Balmore, Brora, Elgin, Eriskay, Inverness, Kirkwall, Linlithgow, Newmachar, Reay, Stromness and Wick.
In the first round, Ian MacDonald (12) (Thurso) birdied the ninth and 18th to return a nett 66.
John Hunter (8) (Wick) had back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th as he returned a nett 68. Also on nett 68 were Willie Lipka (21), James Durrand (29) and Ronnie Dunnett, all from Thurso.
Peter Sangster (3) (Newmachar) had the lowest gross with a 71.
For most in the second round the weather remained dry but scoring was still difficult. Rory Hadden (16) (Thurso) birdied the 13th as he returned a nett 64. Jimmy Bruce (11) (Thurso) birdied the eighth and came home in three over par to record a nett 66.
Nicky Doherty (6) (Thurso) had birdies at the sixth, 13th and 18th as he also had a nett 66 along with David Dunbar (5) (Thurso) who birdied the eighth and 13th. Graeme McLeod (20) (Linlithgow) also had nett 66.
Peter Sangster birdied fourth, fifth and 17th as he followed his 71 with a 70 for a nett 67. Colin Paterson (5) (Reay) birdied the third, sixth and 13th to return a nett 68. Cameron Reid (15) (Thurso) also had a nett 68.
The overall winner was Peter Sangster, now playing his golf at Newmachar but back in his old stomping ground. After a gross 71 in the first round he followed this up in the second round with a gross 70 for total of 141.
In second place and the winner of the handicap was David Dunbar (5). Dunbar had a nett 70 in the first round and a nett 66 in the second round for a total of 136.
Graeme McLeod from Linlithgow was overall third with 137, while Rory Hadden (Thurso), who had the lowest round with a nett 64, finished in fourth place on 138.
In Division One (handicaps up to 12) the winner was Colin Paterson (Reay) with 138. Also on 138 was Ronnie Dunnett (Thurso).
In third place in this category was Hamish Boyd (9) (Thurso) with Steven Lowe (12) (Thurso) in fourth, both on 140.
In Division Two (handicaps 13 and up) the winner was young Cameron Reid (Thurso) with a total of 139. Callum Grant (Inverness) was second with 142, while Thurso’s Chris Williamson and Adam Higgins were third and fourth with 143 and 144 respectively.
