Reay Open (36) - 24 June 06
Great rounds for Don makes him champion

Don Mackay - Reay Open Champion

The Reay Open sponsored by UKAEA and Orion D.Gow and Son took place in favourable conditions although the wind was blowing but the Course was immaculate and in outstanding condition and visitors were very complimentary about the greens. Round one saw 38 birdies made by the field with the hardest par being the 4^th and the easiest the 5^th, with round two dropping to 25 birdies and the second playing the hardest and the 12^th coming out as the easiest par. The CSS was 69 in round 1 and 70 in round 2.

In round one Alec Anderson got off to an incredible start shooting a terrific 75-13-62 which was the lowest gross with a birdie at the 10^th to lead in the race for the Hebden Cup. Gavin Souter of Thurso made birdie at the 16^th and Jerry Abbott birdied the 9^th. David O'Brien was in the hunt with 89-22-67 and hot on his heels was Sandy Chisholm with 81-13-68. Kenny Farmer was also in the frame with 84-15-69. Defending the Hebden Trophy was Ian Ross in no mood to give up the cup but not getting the best of starts on 86-12-74 and a good way off the pace setter on 62.

In the race for the scratch title Don Mackay Jnr set a devastating target for the field with a sparkling 68 which included birdies at the 6^th and the 14^th. Don went out in 34 which is level par and came home in a one under 34. Raymond Taylor the Trophy holder was making a good attempt at defending and produced a 72 with Lee Parnell and Colin Paterson both making a 74. Steve Spargo from Thurso and John O'Brien were hanging in with 75's. Lee Parnell had birdies at the 9^th and the 12^th. Also with a pair of birdies were Don Mackay Snr at the 6^th and the 15^th and young Michael Henderson from Thurso threw in a pair of birdies at the 12^th and the 14^th.

Alec Anderson - Henden Cup Winner

In Division one Ian Ritchie was sitting on 77-9-68 along with Donald Mowat on exactly the same score of 77-9-68. Alistair Bell a member of both Thurso and Reay was looking good on 79-10-69 joined by Nick Docherty of Thurso on 79-10-69. Steve Efemey, Colin Paterson and Raymond Taylor were all lurking on nett 69's.

The Afternoon saw a change and an increase in the breeze. Alan Mackenzie of Thurso was best in Division two with 81-13-68 the lowest gross and the only man under par. Steve Lucas was challenging with 84-13-71. The early pace setter was not on fire in the afternoon but still managed a birdie at the 5^th and with figures of 86-13-73 was still the leader for the Hebden Cup. Rod Grant had a birdie at the 15^th, Steve Lucas at the 14^th and James Lynch of Thurso at the 10^th.

In Division one David Dunbar the Reay Club Champion was battling well and had a great par finish with three birdies in the back nine at the 13^th, 14^th and the 16^th. Don Mackay was still on form getting three birdies at the 5^th, 10^th and the grandstand 18^th in another fine round of 70 going out in 36 and coming home in 34 one under par. Lee Parnell kept up his challenge on 72 with birdies at the 12^th and the 16^th. Raymond Taylor defending admirably had birdies at the 6^th, 10^th and the 13^th for a 71 but couldn't make up the ground on Don Mackay. Brent Munro another Member of Thurso and Reay had a pair of Birdies at the 10^th and the 14^th but faded away from making a challenge. Wayne Mowat birdied the 14^th and the 16^th but was another challenge too late. John Nicolson had the best round of 74-8-66 with Birdies at the 3^rd and the 9^th in round two but his poor first round saw him out of the prizes.

Once the dust was settled the prizes went to David Dunbar for nearest the pin at the 18^th of 132cms which was the first ball to land on the 18^th in the morning and stayed nearest the pin all day. Division two winner with the best nett aggregate of 145 was Alan Mackenzie of Thurso on 145 edging Steve Lucas into second also on 145 but losing the countback. Third was the wily campaigner Sandy Chisholm on 147 and 4^th David Irvine of Thurso on 148.

In Division One Raymond Taylor had the best nett of 137 on aggregate closely followed by Lee Parnell on 138 in second. Third was Ian Ritchie another veteran on 139 and Colin Paterson took 4^th on 140 giving a clean sweep by Reay Members of the prizes. The Hebden Cup went to Alex Anderson with a superb 135 aggregate score presented by Graeme Dunnett representing UKAEA and the Champion Golfer in the Reay 2006 Open was Don Mackay Jnr with two excellent rounds of 68 and 70 to give a scratch total of 138.

Reay Open Prize Winners

Alan Mackenzie (Thurso)	Gavin Souter (Thurso)
Murray McGlasson (Thurso)	Raymond Taylor (Reay)

End-of-Document