Thorburn takes scratch prize at Reay after blistering inward half
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Saturday saw Reay host the Ronnie Wallace Open, sponsored by Norbloc Construction, with the field – comprising both ladies and gents – vying for silverware and some excellent prizes.
The handicap trophy was won by Jack Halliday, with the Wick Academy midfielder showing that his sporting prowess is not just confined to the football pitch. Halliday recovered from an early stutter at the fourth hole to card matching halves of 44 for a round of 88 which gave him a winning nett score of 66.
Club captain Andy Bain produced a steady round of 74, comprising 13 pars and five bogeys which gave him a nett 67 and second place.
Gregor Munro completed the podium places in the handicap category after a round of 72 which included birdies at the sixth, 12th and 13th holes gave him a nett 69.
The race for the scratch prize went to the wire, with Dougie Thorburn of Wick and Brent Munro from the home club both posting excellent rounds of 70. In the final analysis it was Thorburn who took the silverware following a blistering inward half of 32 that included no fewer than five birdies – at the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes.
Munro’s round was made up of halves of 34 and 36 and included a rare eagle at the sixth hole, with a brace of birdies coming at the ninth and 18th holes. Another Wick golfer, Gordie Steven Jnr, took third place after a round of 70 which included birdies at the second, 13th and 14th holes.
The first round of the ladies’ summer Stableford saw an excellent entry of players, and it was Joy Fraser who topped the standings with a fine haul of 38 points.
Pam Bain birdied the second and 14th holes on her way to 34 points and second place, while Lora Jane Kelly completed the podium places to take third place on 33. Su Hawes made a welcome return to competitive action to claim fourth place on 31 points.
In the latest action in the senior section, Murdo Macdonald produced a solid round to bag 37 Stableford points and the win, ahead of Jock Eunson who carded a steady 36 points, and Kenny Farmer Snr on 34. Jack Johnstone finished fourth on 31 points.
In the Parry Trophy, Doug Mackenzie rattled off 12 pars and six bogeys during his round of 75 for nett 67, which secured a two-shot win. Grant Maxwell took second place on countback ahead of youngster Dylan Mackenzie after both posted rounds of nett 69.
Sandy Chisholm took fourth place after a round of 85 gave him a nett 70.
This weekend will see the Reay gents competing in round one of the Dunnett Cup on Saturday, while the ladies will be competing in the Navcommsta Open in Wick. On Sunday, ladies and gents will be able to compete in a Texas Pairs competition.
