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Smith and Williamson take the honours in two-day Thurso Open





Club captain Alan Coghill (left) with winners from the Thurso Open and representatives of Iain Mackay Financial Management.
Club captain Alan Coghill (left) with winners from the Thurso Open and representatives of Iain Mackay Financial Management.

The Thurso Open was played over two days this year and was sponsored by Iain Mackay Financial Management.

A fantastic first day saw excellent weather with the course looking superb.

It was a day dominated by visiting golfers.

Ollie Sinclair and Scott Burns, of Stromness Golf Club, led the way in the handicap competition, both with superb 65s. Thurso’s Jim McLeod, Stephen Williamson and Geordie Bain led the chasing pack, all on 66.

In the scratch competition, defending champion Peter Sangster, of Newmachar Golf Club, led after a one-over-par 70. Reay’s Brent Munro was one shot back after his 71.

The two nearest-the-hole competitions were also dominated by visitors.

Sandy Chisholm’s tee shot to one metre at the third was the closest and at the 18th Alan Larnach was only 21cm (eight inches) away after his second shot to take the prize.

Sunday again brought ideal golfing weather.

In the scratch competition, Peter Sangster was three over par for both halves as he returned a 75 to add to his first round of 70 for a total of 145.

Brent Munro dropped six shots in the last four holes for a 75 to finish on 146.

Michael Smith bogeyed the first two holes but played the last 16 in level par. This saw him return a 71 for a total of 145 which was enough to win the scratch prize on countback.

Scratch winner Michael Smith (Reay), on the left, and handicap champion Stephen Williamson (Thurso) with representatives of Iain Mackay Financial Management after the Thurso Open.
Scratch winner Michael Smith (Reay), on the left, and handicap champion Stephen Williamson (Thurso) with representatives of Iain Mackay Financial Management after the Thurso Open.

In the nett category, Stephen Williamson (11) birdied the fourth and sixth to reach the turn one over par. A solid back nine saw him home in 38 for a total of 74, nett 63, and this gave him a winning total of 129.

Rory Hadden (12) was overall runner-up after following up his 67 on Saturday with a fine 63.

George Munro again had a nett 67 for a total of 134 to win Division One, and in Division Two Lewis Bain was the winner with rounds of 68 and 65 for a total of 133.

Results (Thurso unless stated): 1st scratch, Michael Smith (Reay), 145; 2nd scratch, Peter Sangster (Newmachar), 145.

1st nett, Stephen Williamson, 129; 2nd nett, Rory Hadden, 130.

Category one – 1st nett, George Munro, 134; 2nd nett, Chris Williamson, 136; 3rd nett, Innes Mitchell, 137; 4th nett, Ben Gordon, 138.

Category two – 1st nett, Lewis Bain, 133; 2nd nett, Ian Macdonald, 134; 3rd nett, Stephen King, 135; 4th nett, George Bain, 137.

Best single round – Saturday: Ollie Sinclair, 65. Sunday: Allan Mackenzie, 66.

Best score with a handicap greater than 28 was Mark Foubister on 157.

Nearest the hole was won by visitors: Saturday – third, Sandy Chisolm (Reay); 18th, Alan Larnach (Wick). Sunday – third, Sandy Sutherland (Wick); 18th, Alan Larnach (Wick)

The A&A Mackay Builders Summer League has reached round 15 and the firm conditions again saw low scoring. Dale Sutherland (handicap 27) won with 42 points, one ahead of Jordan Bain (18).

Callum Mauchlen (16), Derek Stanley (29) and William Calder Jnr (25) all returned 39, one ahead of Ivan Paterson (35), Jordan Youngson (5), Gordon Munro (37) and Graham Elder (34).

Next best on 37 points were Nicky Doherty (7), Stewart Gunn (20), Brian Hossack (33), George Munro (12) and Douglas Metcalfe (22).


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