Winter Tournaments - Season 2005-2006

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Donald Carmichael (Medal) Trophy - 12 March 06
Another piece of Silverware for Bruce

Bruce Mackay

The Donald Carmichael Trophy is played over 6 rounds throughout the winter and is played in conjunction with the monthly medals. The winner is the player with the best four rounds out of the six rounds available.

Starting away back in October the medal winner was Cammie Ross and followed in November by Gavin Gunn. December saw Andy Whitelaw take the medal and in January Bruce Mackay captured the medal. Club Champion David Dunbar won the February Medal and Bruce Mackay collected the March Medal. At the half way stage Cammie Ross was a clear leader from Fred Groves and Peter McCartney however Cammie eventually ended up fourth with rounds of 73, 68, 74 and 74 for 289.

With two medal victories it comes as no surprise that the in form player who has been regularly in the frame all winter is Bruce Mackay and Bruce wins the Donald Carmichael Trophy very convincingly. Third spot went to Donald Mowat with an aggregate score of 288 with rounds of 70, 75, 73 and 70. The runner up was Evan Sutherland on an aggregate of 285 with rounds of 67, 71, 73 and 74. Both Donald and Evan have played well but neither was able to get their hands on a monthly medal.

With two medal wins and scores of 67, 65, 70 and 69 for an aggregate score of 271 and winning by a massive 14 shots was Bruce Mackay. Bruce is rewarded for some wonderful consistent golf through the winter when weather conditions can make the course very difficult. Bruce now has three trophies from the winter and is in contention for the Stableford Winter League, the Eclectic and the 4BBB with John O'Brien. Not even a cut in his handicap it would appear can slow him down.

March Medal - 11 March 06
Bruce wins once again this winter

Bruce Mackay

Players were faced with a bitter cold biting wind and this was reflected in the scoring. It was definitely the survival of the fittest. The 10^th hole came out as the hardest as nobody in the field made a par here with the 18^th as the second hardest hole. The ninth came out as the easiest hole. The field managed to produce seven birdies.

The Medal holder Murdo MacDonald made a valiant attempt at defending his medal but at 92-11-81 found the conditions too tough. Also finding it tough was Alistair Gunn who managed a birdie at the 16^th but sadly brought home a no return. Another struggler was Brent Munro who managed an excellent birdie two at the 9^th but found it a hard day at the office as his challenge fell away. Gavin Sutherland had a strong finish with a two at the eighteenth. The 15^th hole proved popular with Andy Bain and Ian Ritchie as both managed a birdie two.

Andy Mackay had a birdie at the 13^th in his round of 86-11-75 and an unusual dilemma as he lost his ball in a bunker full of snow. With nowhere to drop in the bunker he correctly decided to drop out of the bunker under penalty. If he had declared his ball lost and not looked for it he would have had a free drop. At least he was not disqualified.

Third place fell to Gavin Gunn with an 83-12-71. The runner up spot went to Kenny Farmer enjoying a hot streak of form with 83-13-70. The man who has played consistently well all winter and the only member to get a reduction in his handicap is Bruce Mackay and he grabbed the March Medal. Bruce had the lowest gross score of 78 which was very good in the conditions and with a birdie at the second produced figures of 78-9-69 to win the March Medal and add this to the Medal he won in January.

February Medal - 04 February 06
Davie is run away victor

David Dunbar

Conditions for the February medal were excellent for the time of year and we were pleased to see the biggest field of the winter campaign contest the medal. The greens were in superb condition and gave up a total of 23 birdies with the 13^th the most popular surrendering a total of five. The second hole as usual was the hardest with only three making par followed by the 17^th and as normal the 5^th played the easiest.

David Dunbar had the distinction, as befits the current Club Champion, of scoring the lowest gross score of 70 in a quite superb round. Out in 36 which was only 2 over, he had an untidy start dropping a shot at the 2^nd and careless again at the long 4^th but then steadied the ship to produce a string of flawless pars. The 13^th gave up a birdie but then again a sloppy missed par putt saw a bogey at the short 15^th. A grandstand finish saw David birdie the 18^th to come home in a one under par 34 and card a gross 70 and set the target for the field.

Jock Eunson had an up and down round but sneaked in a birdie at the 8^th. Sandy Chisholm last years medal winner could not defend his medal but did manage a great birdie two at the 7^th. Also with a two was Peter McCartney at the 5^th. Wayne Mowat familiarising himself with the course again found the par 5's to his liking as he birdied the 6^th and the 14^th. Ian Ritchie rarely has a round without a birdie and whilst not on his best form he left it late in the round with a birdie at the 17^th.

Gavin Sutherland made birdie at the 6^th as he showed Brent Munro round who was playing in his first medal at Reay. Bruce Mackay is still adjusting to his new handicap but still managed a birdie at the 13^th. Scores were somewhat bunched at the top of the leaderboard as four tied on nett 70 led by Ian Ross, Donald Mowat who had a brace of birdies at the 8^th and the 14^th, Colin Stewart and the irrepressible Bruce Mackay.

Fourth place saw a three way tie on nett 69 with George Prince winning the sweep money and the nod on the countback. George had a nice 2 at the 15^th and a further birdie at the 16^th in his round of 81-12-69. Next was John O'Brien with a great purple patch of three birdies on the trot in an amazing run over the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th to card a 74-5-69 and settle for fourth spot. The third man on 69 was young Andy Bain who also amassed three birdies going under par at the 6^th, 13^th and 14^th and couldn't quite match John at the 15^th as he ran up a frustrating double bogey to finish 80-11-69.

In third place on his own with 80-12-68 was Grant Coghill with a tidy card which saw him go out in 37 with birdies at the 5^th with a wee two and a second at the 8^th. A two always smartens up the card. Gavin Gunn striving to pick up a second medal over the winter already having the November Medal in the bag nearly did it but his 79-12-67 with a birdie at the 13^th only got him the runner up berth. The run away victor and winner of the February Medal was David Dunbar and nobody can argue with a stunning 70-6-64 which was a round which thoroughly deserved the medal.

Bruce Mackay just about has two hands on the Donald Carmichael Trophy with an aggregate score of 200 and only the March Medal left has an eleven shot lead over nearest rivals John O'Brien, George Prince and Evan Sutherland. It looks like Bruce doesn't need to play in March as he already has a good fourth score in the bag and is assured of the Trophy.

January Medal - 07 January 06
Bruce is the clear winner

Bruce Mackay

The January Medal brought a glorious day for golf with clear blue skies and perfect dry playing conditions underfoot. The first proved to be the most difficult challenge with only three players able to make a par, however the course did surrender 18 birdies to the field with the 14^th and 16^th giving up four each. The easiest hole to play on the day turned out to be the ninth.

Gavin Gunn had a birdie at the 3^rd and the 16^th but all to no avail as he hit self destruct and filed a no return. This was a disappointment for Novembers Medal winner and a waste of two good birdies. Last years medal winner Cammie Ross birdied the 5^th and managed to card 83-9-74 but not enough to retain the medal. Fred Groves was another trying hard with a respectable 80-6-74 and a pair of birdies at the 13^th and the 16^th as he mounted a late charge. John Disbury was having a tough day at the office but at least had the satisfaction of a birdie at the 14^th. Also not on his best form was Andy Bain but back to back birdies at the 14^th and 15^th put some gloss on the round for him.

Lee Parnell is never far away from the sweep money and made a valiant effort with birdies at the 11^th and the 14^th to card a respectable 77-5-72. Three players shared 5^th spot on nett 71 led by Evan Sutherland 80-9-71 with a birdie at the 13^th and Colin Earnshaw 85-14-71 also with a birdie at the 13^th. Nice to see Alistair Bell who has joined us from Thurso for the winter get a good birdie at the 6^th and card 82-11-71 just to remind us he is here.

Third place had to be resolved by countback and losing out was George Prince on 82-12-70 but still the pleasure of picking up some well earned sweep money. John O'Brien becoming a regular fixture in the top spots did it again with a 75-5-70 to edge out George for third place and a strong finish with birdies at the 14^th and the 16^th for an excellent round. The runner up spot for the medal went to Richard McDonald with a birdie at the 16^th in his near flawless round of 75-7-68 to break par with a good attempt at victory.

With a scorching card the mercurial swashbuckling style of Bruce Mackay was a clear winner on the day as Bruce shot a 74-11-63 to claim the first trophy of 2006. As well as shooting the lowest gross on the day out in 38 and back in 36 for his 74 Bruce birdied the difficult 2^nd and hit a majestic 6 iron into the heart of the 12^th green to a few feet to set up an easy second birdie. A day to savour for Bruce and a great way to start the New Year.

December Medal - 03 December 05
Neat round by Andy wins Medal

Andy Whitelaw

The December Medal was played in excellent weather with the winter sunshine appearing and the course in very good playing condition despite all the recent rain and high winds. There was a good turnout to contest the Medal however the calm conditions only produced 11 birdies and strangely the 8^th hole came out as the hardest on the day.

The man from Stornoway George Prince cutting a fine dash and making a rare appearance had excellent birdies at the 15^th and the 17^th and celebrated in style with a very fine putt for his two at the 15^th. Sadly a nasty 7 at the 2^nd and an ugly 8 at the 4^th meant a poor start which he could not claw back. Club Secretary Bill McIntosh hit a sizzling 5 wood into the 3^rd for a tap in birdie but just couldn't take advantage of a good start. Colin Stewart rolled in a putt at the 16^th for his birdie but too late in the round to make a score. Steve Efemey had a good birdie two at the 15^th but also a bit late in the round to mount a challenge.

David Mackay managed a nice two at the short 15^th and had an uneventful but steady round for his 77-7-70 and 5^th place. Kenny Farmer carded 82-13-69 and was relegated to fourth on the count back but had the consolation of a fine birdie at the 16^th. Fred Groves edged out Kenny on the countback with 75-6-69 which was the best gross score to claim third spot. Fred was a bit untidy on the front nine going out in forty but made up for it on the back 9 with a nice pair of birdies breaking par on the 12^th and the 13^th to come home in a level par 35.

Cammie Ross was also a bit slack on the front 9 going out in 40 but produced some good shots on the back nine and a super birdie on the 12^th to come home in 37 with a card of 77-9-68 and came close to pinching the medal to add to his win in the October Medal but had to settle for second. The winner of the December Medal was Andy Whitelaw picking up his first trophy for the new golfing year having been flushed with the success of collecting much silverware last summer. Andy had a hiccup on the 6^th with a double bogey but otherwise a very neat card which included a birdie at the 13^th on his way to 80-13-67 and halves of 41 and 39.

Andy Whitelaw	Cammie Ross
Fred Groves	George Prince

November Medal - 05 November 05
Gavin saves best round for winter

Gavin Gunn

It was nice to welcome back Club Captain Graeme Dunnett to competitive golf after a long lay off through injury. It was quite evident Graeme hadn't really been away as he cruised round with the lowest gross of the day of 72 with a good birdie at the 4^th and a pretty decent card of 72-1-71 to get straight back into the groove. Level par for the front 9 but a bit untidy on the back 9 coming home in 38.

The Course conditions were excellent with the greens running slick and true and a lovely autumnal day for the medal. The first hole into a breeze was playing the hardest closely followed by the third which was racking up the bogeys. The easiest hole was the 13^th which gave up four birdies and the 4^th produced three birdies.

Out early Andy Bain managed a birdie at the 4^th but couldn't maintain his early promise and faded out of contention. Peter McCartney led the pack who birdied the 13^th but he also suffered from a few bogeys. John O'Brien birdied the 4^th but was not firing on all cylinders and had a mediocre round by normal standards. Neil McDonald had a brace of birdies with putts falling for him at the 6^th and the 14^th and consistent halves of 37 produced a creditable 74-3-71 and a very neat round.

Donald Mowat put in a good challenge with a birdie at the 13^th but putts just were not falling elsewhere. The old war horse Iain Thomson was in typical swashbuckling form nailing an excellent birdie putt at the 14^th and making nett par with 89-20-69. Andy Whitelaw is usually found lurking with intent and never far away from the honours with halves of 41 and 40 giving him a great score of 81-13-68 which was good enough for 5^th place.

Picking up 4^th place and some sweep money was Evan Sutherland slotting home an impressive putt on the 5^th for a birdie 2 and equal halves of 38 making up 76-9-67. The in form man Bruce Mackay sneaked in a pair of birdies at the 10^th and the 13^th and those gave him the better back 9 as he pinched 3^rd place on countback from Evan coming home in a magical 36 only one over for the 9 with a card of 78-11-67.

Last weeks winner Ian Ross was in fine form again also with a birdie two at the short 5^th. A couple of untidy bogeys on the back 9 were expensive and cost him the medal, nevertheless, Ian came home second with a great effort to try to capture the medal with 79-13-66. The November Medal went to Gavin Gunn in sparkling form with equal halves of 38 and a birdie at the 13^th to return a winning score of 76-12-64.

October Medal - 01 October 05
Cammie wins in wild weather

Cammie Ross

This was the worst of conditions in which to start the winter programme with sporadic driving rain and a vicious wind from the west. Most thought better of playing in such a strong wind but 21 hardy souls took up the challenge. With preferred lies now in force handicaps are suspended for the winter so there was no CSS for this Medal and the course analysis showed only 5 birdies. It was not a surprise to find the second hole playing the hardest closely followed by the long 4^th and the intrepid 17^th.

The 6^th gave up two birdies and the first fell to Club Vice Captain Jock Eunson using the wind well and a nice putt dropping for his birdie. Scoring was quite tough and about half the field managed a nil return and credit goes to everybody who actually returned a card for the 18 holes. Alistair Gunn produced a birdie at the 3^rd. Fred Groves was coping well and actually managed two birdie 2's on the troublesome front nine going under par at the 5^th and the challenging 7^th to go out in 39. Sadly the wheels came off ever so slightly on the back 9 and Fred will be rueing a couple of double bogeys which cost him the chance of winning the medal. Fred's score of 82-6-76 with a scrappy back 9 meant he lost the countback for third place.

In third place was Andy Bain battling in the wind to return 87-11-76 and edge out Fred Groves managing his damage limitation reasonably well. The lowest gross score of the day of 78 went to Neil McDonald in only his fourth outing this year but showing some nice touches and good control to produce equal halves of 39 in testing conditions. Neil proving he is not a fair weather golfer secured the runner up spot with a 78-3-75.

Cammie Ross was the clear winner of the October Medal with 82-9-73 struggling on the front nine but getting a good birdie at the 6^th and losing the plot a bit at the eight with an ugly 8 to go out in 43. A gritty performance on the back 9 to come home in 39 was good enough to pick up the October Medal and a fine win in the toughest of conditions.

Andy Bain	Cammie Ross
Fred Groves	Neil MacDonald

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