Golf week putts sport in spotlight
IT’S BEEN a busy week at Lochgilphead Golf Club with lots of activities and competitions taking place for golf week.
The week-long celebration of the sport teed off on Monday July 4 with stableford competitions sponsored by Mid Argyll Youth Development Services.
David McKinnon won the gents’ section with 44 points and the runner-up was Ian Phillips with 35 points. Donna McKellar won the ladies’ section with 32 points, with Margaret MacKinnon runner-up on 31 points. Ali Cupples won the junior section with a fantastic 45 points, while Gregor McGeachy was runner-up with 30 points. Ali’s golf is on fire at the moment and he’s set to give the gents a run for their money next year.
The club welcomed Mid Argyll Round Table and friends to its annual golf and supper event. A rather wet nine holes followed by supper in the clubhouse was much enjoyed.
Tuesday was the Simon Says stableford which, as it was a drier night, saw more gents venturing out to play. Winner of the gents’ section for a second day was David MacKinnon with 39 points, just beating Bryan Crawford on 38 points.
Donna McKellar bettered her score from the day before and won with 38 points. Margaret MacKinnon was in second place, again with 32 points. Ali Cupples had another great score of 41 points to win again, with Gregor in second place on 32 points.
A double competition saw juniors Ali and Gregor beat gents Ryan McGlynn and Keith Cowan into second place.
A nine-hole competition sponsored by RA Clements was held on Wednesday and there was a change at the top of the pile with Colin Penman getting the bragging rights with 18 points. The ladies section was won by Margaret MacKinnon with 16 points and runner-up was Donna McKellar with 15 points. The juniors was won by Ali with 16 points and runner-up was Craig Aitken with 12 points.
Empire Travel Lodge sponsored and organised a Texas scramble, a competition with teams consisting of a gent, a lady and a junior on Thursday. Nine teams played some fantastic golf while having loads of fun. Fiona Johnstone from Tarbert was drafted in to make up the numbers for the ladies.
Following the golf, Jim and Ele provided supper in the clubhouse followed by a prizegiving. Winners were Ryan McGlynn, Ele Hunter and Ruan McKellar. The prizes for the longest drives were won by Robbie Wilson, Margaret MacKinnon and Liam MacKinnon.
There was a full course for the gents open on Saturday. The conditions were testing at times when there was a little too much of the wet stuff falling from the sky, but visitors and members battled on regardless to complete the course and return to the clubhouse for some welcome nourishment organised by Donna, Ele and Theresa. The competition was fierce but the end of the day saw Keith Cowan winning the open for the first time in his many years as a club member.
He was eligible to enter the seniors open and, much to his delight, won that too. Runner-up was Eric Capocci with a net 61 and in third place was Douglas Whyte. The scratch competition was won by Ryan McGlynn with 63 and runner-up was Steven Gilmour with 65. In third place was Donald Johnston with 67. Sunday was a family fun day incorporating the HSBC Golf Hour. This was well attended by adults and juniors and there was some fun putting and chipping competitions despite inclement weather.
All the juniors who came got a free T-shirt thanks to HSBC. Following a lovely buffet in the clubhouse, match secretary David Sinclair announced the week’s prizes and Joyce Cameron presented them on behalf of the club,
Captain Ryan McGlynn thanked everyone for competing and gave a special mention to the people who helped with the organisation of the competitions, fundraising and food and drink over the week.