Date:- 04/07/2008
Time:- 00:42:54
Time:- 00:42:54
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Reay Open (36) - 16 June 07
The weather forecast was rain and high winds but as we are north of Watford that is only expected however the promised weather as usual failed to materialise and whilst cloudy, conditions were fine for the Open if somewhat chilly for June. The first round saw the CSS at 69 so the course was playing fair but only giving up 13 birdies with three at the 16th. The hardest par was the 14th and the easiest the 15th. In Division two young Hugh Tunn made a birdie at the 17th and Andy Bain at the 16th as most of the field struggled a bit. Club Captain Ian Ross had the lowest gross with an 82 in a tidy round of 82-13-69. Robbie Swanson in his first competitive round of the season blasted into the frame with an 86-21-65 and Tim Hawes really attacked the course getting round with figures of 84-20-64 and a great start. Tim finished in pole position for the Hebden Cup and faced the challenge of holding it all together for a second round with Robbie Swanson breathing down his neck. Aly Mackay of Wick GC who knows his way round the Reay links well put in a birdie at the 4th in a competent start. Don Mackay the recently crowned County Champion birdied the 13th and posted the lowest scratch score in round one of 73 for a workmanlike start and left a few putts on the course so there was much expectation for round two especially as Don was defending the title of Reay Open Champion. Lee Parnell had birdies at the 3rd and 16th in his opening 76 and Alistair Gunn made birdie at the 4th. Colin Paterson was in determined mood keeping Don Mackay in his sights with a 75 and three birdies for a very strong back nine at the 14th, 15th and the 18th. Nothing like a pair of two's to smarten up the card and this had Colin well in contention. Four golfers were on nett 70 and these were led by Evan Sutherland 79-9-70 with a birdie at the 17th, Donald Sutherland of Thurso GC 79-9-70, John O'Brien 75-5-70 and Jock Eunson 80-10-70. John O'Brien's 75 also meant he had his eyes on the Open Trophy. Alec Anderson was defending the Hebden Cup and made a significant start with his round of 78-11-67 to be in touch with the leaders.
Round two saw the wind drop a bit and there were 23 birdies as the CSS remained at 69 with this time the 7th playing the hardest. The 15th remained the easiest par and notably the 14th gave up 5 birdies. In Division two there was only one birdie which went to Blair McIntosh of Thurso GC. Thurso Golfers monopolised the top four places in the afternoon with Steven Fiddler on 83-13-70 for fourth spot. Sid Campbell had 82-13-69 to be third on countback as he was edged out by Stanley Ross 87-18-69 with the better back nine. With figures of 81-14-67 the only man to break par was Blair McIntosh of Thurso GC and posting a target for the field to aim at. Jock Eunson 80-10-70 made birdie at the 13th and Alec Anderson posted a satisfactory 81-11-70 with a birdie at the 2nd and still a firm grasp on the Hebden Cup. Steven Spargo of Thurso made a fine two at the 5th and Grant Maxwell threw in a pair of birdies at the 12th and the14th. Gary Calder of Thurso had a great finish with birdies at the 16th and the 17th. Aly Mackay of Wick GC birdied the 3rd, Fred Groves the 14th and Lee Parnell the 6th. John O'Brien broke par with 73-5-68. Don Mackay had a great haul of four birdies as he improved his putting stroke as putts fell at the 2nd, 8th, 10th and 14th to go round in 69-1-68 again making the lowest gross ensuring a successful defence of the trophy. With birdies at the 15th and 16th Edgar Wylie of Thurso showed he hadn't forgotten his way round to end up in fourth place with 78-10-68. Colin Paterson had another good round of 71 and with a birdie at the 10th finished 71-4-67 in third place. Bryan Suttar of Thurso claimed two birdies at the 2nd and the 13th in his 78-12-66 a cracking round for second place. Evan Sutherland made birdie at the 3rd and the 14th in a sparkling 74-9-65 to really improve his position being first in Division one. The winner of the Hebden cup for the best handicap score was in fact Evan Sutherland with a 70 and a 65 for an aggregate 135 and a clear winner by two shots. Alec Anderson was joint second 67, 70 - 137 with Robbie Swanson 65, 72 - 137 but Alec had the consolation of winning the nearest the pin at the 18th and a fine bottle of best malt. Winning Division two was Robbie Swanson (21) with his 137 followed by Stanley Ross (18) of Thurso on 139 in second. Blair McIntosh (14) also of Thurso was third with 140 and Kenny Farmer (15) was fourth with 142 just edging out Tim Hawes who fell away badly in his second round. Alec Anderson (11) took top spot in Division one with his 137. Colin Paterson (4) edged out John O'Brien (5) as both had 138 to end up second and third. Jock Eunson (10) made it into the prizes in fourth with a total of 140. In the race for the Reay Open Title second place was claimed by Colin Paterson with rounds of 75, 71 for 146 and John O'Brien had 75, 73 for 148 and third place. Both played very well and had a great crack at the Title. The Reay Open Champion Golfer for 2007 defending his title successfully was Don Mackay Jnr with rounds of 73, 69 and a total of 142. It's been a fantastic week for Don having secured the County Championship last weekend and finding great form in time for the Club Championship Finals. After a very successful day Graeme Dunnett presented the prizes on behalf of the sponsors UKAEA and the Orion Group.
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