Swanson's magnificent 63 is his best-ever score
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Alan Swanson had arguably his best year on the golf course last year and in the early part of 2019 he had not quite hit the same standard. However, this changed on Sunday in the first round of the Ulbster Cup when he recorded his best-ever score after 33 years.
Conditions were ideal and the greens were receptive to the ball. Swanson reached the turn in three under par after birdies at the fourth, sixth and seventh and surprisingly he did not birdie the eighth hole.
After a solid par at the difficult 10th and 11th he saw his birdie putt lip out at the 12th and perhaps also his chance to beat the course record of 62, held by his playing partner Jim Sangster.
Swanson birdied 13 and 14 to give himself a chance and a further birdie at the 18th saw him return a magnificent gross score of 63.
After a best last year of 64, maybe next year will see him shoot a 62. He was the overall winner with a nett 61 and had the lowest gross score of not only the day but of recent years.
Cameron Reid (20) had a birdie at the 13th as he was the overall runner-up with a nett 65. Also on nett 65 was Ronnie Dunnett (13). A birdie at the seventh helped him to go 11 holes in level par from the fifth to the 15th.
Adam Higgins had a solid round of golf to return a nett 66. Jim Sangster (4) had birdies at the seventh and 13th as he returned a nett 67, alongside Iain Dunnet (6) whose highlight was an eagle at the seventh.
David Dunbar (5) birdied the seventh and 17th as he was alone on nett 68. On nett 69 were Jock Begg (11), Nicky Doherty (7), Innes Mitchell (7) and Reiss Reid (24).
There was no hole in one this week, but a mention must go to Stephen Fidler who watched his tee shot at the third roll to the pin only to see it hit and deflect to the side.
The previous day saw a three-man scramble for the popular Lenny Murray Memorial.
This is always well attended and on this occasion 75 golfers took part.
The winners were Hamish Boyd, Jas Swan and Iain Boyd with a score of 55.2.
The Newsbeat-sponsored summer league was postponed on Thursday and held on
Friday. Jocky Begg was the winner with 39 points.
Begg had 12 pars, with seven coming in the last seven holes.
Willie Lipka (21) returned 38 points. Lipka’s short game is there, as he had three pars at the par threes with the other two being bogeys.
Roddy Gray (28), who birdied the most difficult hole on the course, the 16th, Jordan Youngson (9) and Angus Cameron (11) all finished with 36 points.
