Steady start to Richard McDonald’s eclectic bid
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GOLFERS at Reay took part in the first round of this year’s Winter Eclectic on Saturday.
Over the coming months competitors will play six rounds over the course, with their best score recorded at each hole counting towards their final tally. In this format players are looking to accumulate as many birdies as they can, but the windswept conditions on Saturday meant these were few and far between.
Lowest score on the day was a splendid nett 65 recorded by Richard McDonald who covered the front nine in a mere 36 strokes, managing seven pars and two bogeys. A steady back nine of 37 included a solitary birdie at the par-five 14th.
McDonald’s gross score of 73 was comfortably the lowest of the day, and gives him a solid foundation for the remaining rounds.
Cold weather expert Sandy Chisholm took second place with a nett 67. After a very successful winter campaign last season, he showed his rivals he hasn’t lost his touch in the wind with a steady gross 78. Chisholm covered both halves in 39 strokes, with his solitary birdie coming at the par-four 13th.
Joining Chisholm on nett 67 was Willie Williamson, following his gross 85.
Williamson recorded an outward half of 42, and he continued to play steady golf with an inward half of 43.
A shot further back following their nett 68s were Hugh Millar, who birdied the ninth, and Ian Ross who managed his solitary birdie at the sixth. The only player in the field to manage two birdies was Stuart Greig, with a four at the sixth and a two at ninth helping him to post a fine nett 69.
This weekend sees the popular Split Stone Challenge being contested tomorrow.
Players should meet at the clubhouse at 8.45am for a 9pm shotgun start. On Sunday players will be able to put their shot-making skills to the test in the three-club Stableford competition.
