Superb back nine gives Leonard top spot in Summer League round 17
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Last week’s fixtures at Thurso Golf Club saw three consecutive rounds of the A&A Mackay Builders Summer League being played.
Round 15, on Thursday, attracted a large entry again with players keen to move up the leader board, as the competition nears the “championship rounds”.
So far this season no fewer than 128 players have competed and well over 1200 rounds have been played.
Scoring was excellent, which also seems to be the norm this season, as 15 players scored par or better.
In fourth place was James Durrand with 40 points. James had the distinction of scoring four points at the par-four 13th hole, courtesy of an eagle two.
Terry Mackay took third, also with 40 points, including halves of 20 points each.
Also on 40 points was Ronnie Dunnett, his back nine of 21 points being enough to take the silver.
The winner was Keith Foubister, who is making a welcome return to golf this season after an absence of several years. Foubister’s excellent 41 points was enough to secure his first win since his comeback.
Summer League round 15 results: 1 Keith Foubister, 41 points; 2 Ronnie Dunnett, 40; 3 Terry Mackay, 40; 4 James Durrand, 40.
Saturday’s round 16 saw a smaller entry than usual with many Thurso members playing in the Safari at Reay. But the 52 golfers who played still managed to provide some decent scoring.
Steve Osborne was fourth with 37 points, a very steady round consisting of halves of 18 and 19 points.
Keith Foubister carried on where he left off on Saturday taking third place with 38 points. Foubister’s successes led to his handicap dropping from 27 to 24 over the two days.
It was the turn of two of the club’s longest-standing members to share the top spots this time.
Former Wilson Cup player Bob Robertson rolled back the years as he raced to the turn in 38 strokes for 22 points. A steady back nine of 17 points gave a total of 39 points, good enough for second place and a shot off his handicap.
Top spot went to Ronnie Gray, also on 39 points. Gray also had an excellent front nine of 39 shots that yielded 20 points and was also below par on the back nine with 19 points for his winning score.
Summer League round 16 results: 1 Ronnie Gray, 39 points; 2 Bob Robertson, 39; 3 Keith Foubister, 38; 4 Steve Osborne, 37.
The weekend fixtures were completed with Summer League round 17 on Sunday. Rain made conditions difficult for the early starters but by 10.30 it had cleared, leaving favourable conditions, despite a stiffish breeze.
Gordon Munro, in his first season of competitive golf, had his first success with his two-under-par 38 points being good enough for fourth place.
Munro was pipped for third place by the in-form Cameron Reid. Reid’s round was steadiness personified as his two halves of 39 strokes each resulted in 38 points.
Reid has made excellent progress this season and is on the verge of clinching a place in Thurso’s Ulbster County Cup team.
However, bragging rights in the Reid family went to Cameron’s father, Neil, after his 39 points took the runner-up spot. A steady front nine of 18 points was backed up with a three-under-par, 21-point back nine.
The winner of round 17 was Gary Leonard, also with 39 points. Leonard could have been forgiven for thinking that it wasn’t going to be his day after a rather poor start as he only scored on one of the first three holes.
Four points at the par-five fourth got him back on track as he reached the turn in 17 points. A superb back nine of 22 points, including a birdie at the last hole, saw Leonard enter the winner’s circle one again.
Summer League round 17 results: 1 Gary Leonard, 39 points; 2 Neil Reid, 39; 3 Cameron Reid, 38; 4 Gordon Munro, 38.
There is no change at the top of the Summer League leader board with Chris Sutherland maintaining his five-point advantage over Ryan Forbes. Cameron Reid has moved up to third, nudging ahead of Alan Swanson in fourth.
The full leader board can be seen on Thurso GC Facebook page and at www.masterscoreboard.co.uk
This weekend’s fixtures are the August Medal on Saturday followed by Summer League round 19 on Sunday.
Before the weekend fixtures, there is a big night ahead on Friday as the ladies’ club championship finals are played.
The scratch final, tee-off 4.30pm, sees Laura Durrand take on Eileen Manson.
The handicap final, teeing off at 4.45pm, is between Morag Mackay and Alison Campbell.
