Thorburn takes scratch prize in Reay Golf Club's North Point Distillery Open

Saturday saw the summer golf season draw to a close at Reay as the club hosted the North Point Distillery Open. A fantastic field of more than 70 players teed it up in the hope of winning one of the prizes provided by the sponsors, and with the course in great condition some excellent scores were posted.

Winner of the scratch competition with a tremendous round of 68 was Wick’s Dougie Thorburn. An outward half of 36 comprising eight straight pars and an uncharacteristic double bogey at the ninth was followed by a blistering inward half of 32 which included birdies at the 11th, 13th and 18th holes, securing a two-stroke victory.

Thorburn’s nearest challenger was Wayne Monkman of Orkney Golf Club who fired a round of 70 which included no fewer than five birdies, at the sixth, 11th, 13th, 16th and 18th holes.

However, Monkman's fine round was good enough to secure victory in the handicap competition with a score of nett 63.

Next best in the scratch competition was Andy Mowat of the home club. He also fired an impressive round of 70, with a brace of birdies at the 11th and 13th helping him along the way.

Michael Grant, playing out of Dalmahoy after growing up on the links of Reay, was another on the birdie trail with birdies at the seventh, 12th, 15th and 18th helping him to a round of 74.

Lee Findlay of Orkney posted a matching 74, with a rare eagle at the 14th and a birdie at the sixth helping him along the way. Reay captain Andy Bain also scored 74, with a trio of birdies at the third, sixth and 11th providing the highlights.

In the handicap competition, David A Craig claimed the runner-up spot after a fine round of 90 for nett 66 which included a solitary birdie at the third.

Andy Bain secured third place on nett 66, while Pauline Craig took fourth spot after an excellent round of 90 for nett 67. A trio of players – Alan Craigie of Thurso, Lybster’s Malcolm Thomson and Darren Sutherland of Orkney – were next best on nett 68.

Nearest-the-pin prizes were bagged by John O’Brien, Michael Grant and Dougie Thorburn.

Meanwhile, in the latest North Point Distillery Senior Stableford action, David A Craig fired an excellent round of 84 to win with a Stableford score of 40 points. Bruce Mackay was edged into second place on countback after birdies at the sixth and 15th helped him to a score of 40 too.

Alex Anderson birdied the third on his way to 35 points and third place, with Murdo Macdonald and Jock Brock finishing a point further back on 34.

This weekend sees the start of the winter season, with the October Medal kicking things off on Saturday.

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